Manchester Food and Drink Festival has today announced the shortlist of nominees for its 2012 Awards, the most prestigious food and drink awards in the region. The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards provide a benchmark for excellence in the hospitality industries throughout Greater Manchester, and this year sees strong contenders across all categories and new areas of recognition.
Awards nominations will be posted on the MFDF website where they’ll face the public vote. The public’s votes will be combined with scores from the judging panel obtained via mystery shop visits made between the announcement date and the Gala Dinner.
The shortlist has been developed by the MFDF Judging panel, made up of the region’s leading food and drink critics and experts, taking into account ‘self nominations’ put forward by the industry. This year’s list of nominees includes new categories and extensions of existing categories. The winners will be only be revealed at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards on October 8th at the Lowry Hotel.
Restaurant of the Year has been extended to include 10 nominees, reflecting a wider scope for this category – all dining venues have been considered even if more casual in style. The usual ‘Coffee Bar and Casual Dining’ category has been separated into 2 shortlists – ‘Best Coffee Bar or Tea Shop’ and ‘Best Casual Dining’ recognising the increasing excellence in these areas.
‘Pub of the Year’ recognition has been extended to include a brand new category – ‘Food Pub of the Year’. ‘Food Pioneer’ has also been newly created to showcase some of Greater Manchester’s most exciting food innovations and projects. All this reflects what the Festival considers to be an exciting time for the region’s dining scene.
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RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR.
Last year’s winner: Ramsons
Aumbry in Prestwich
Garden in Didsbury
Cicchetti in City Centre
Australasia in Spinningfields, City Centre.
Zouk in City Centre.
Red Chilli in City Centre.
Hideaway in Ramsbottom.
Southern 11 in Spinningfields, City Centre.
Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant in City Centre.
Yuzu in China Town, City Centre.
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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Last year’s winner: Cicchetti
The Bakerie and Bakerie Tasting Store, Northern Quarter, City Centre,
Gorilla, City Centre.
Oast House, Spinningfields, City Centre
63 Degrees, City Centre.
Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecote, City Centre.
The Wharf, Castlefield.
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CHEF OF THE YEAR
Last year’s winner: Laurence Tottingham and Mary – Ellen McTague, Aumbry.
Louise Varley, Hideaway in Ramsbottom.
Mini Sankar, Sanmini’s in Ramsbottom.
Simon Stanley, Damson in Heaton Moor.
John Thompson, Cicchetti in City Centre.
Eric Moreux, 63 Degrees in Northern Quarter, City Centre.
Andrew Nutter, Nutters in Rochdale.
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PUB OF THE YEAR
Last year’s winner: The Parlour
The Magnet, Stockport.
The Kings Arms, Salford.
Salutation, Manchester.
The Castle, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
The Angel, Ancoats.
Port St Beer House, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
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FOOD PUB OF THE YEAR
New Award
Recognising our region’s ‘gastro pubs’ .
Sam’s Chop House, City Centre.
Shoulder of Mutton, Holcombe Village, Ramsbottom.
Red Lion, High Lane, Stockport.
Oddfellows, Mellor.
White Hart, Saddleworth.
Mark Addy, City Centre .
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CASUAL DINING VENUE OF THE YEAR
New Award
Last year’s winner for ‘Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining’: The Chocolate Cafe.
Barburrito, City Centre Branches.
Teacup, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
Linda’s Pantry, City Centre.
Dosa Express, Withington.
Home Sweet Home, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
Easy Fish Co, Heaton Moor.
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BAR OF THE YEAR
Last year’s winner: Electrik
Common, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
Liars Club, City Centre.
Corridor Bar, Salford.
Epernay Champagne Bar, City Centre.
Socio Rehab, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
Australasia in Spinningfields, City Centre.
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BEST FOOD AND DRINK RETAIL OUTLET
Last year’s winner: W H Frosts
Booths, MediaCity, Salford.
P.J.Howarth & Son, Urmston.
Easy Fish Co, Heaton Moor, Stockport.
Barbakan, Chorlton.
Unicorn, Chorlton.
Park Lane Bakery, Prestwich.
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BEST COFFEE BAR OR TEA SHOP
New Award
Last year’s winner for ‘Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining’: The Chocolate Cafe.
Coffee Fix, Gatley.
North Tea Power, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
Home Sweet Home, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
The Art of Tea, Didsbury.
Macaroon by Alison Seagrave, Rochdale.
Cornerhouse, City Centre.
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WINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR 2012
New Award
Simply recognising the best places to buy wine in the region. This category replaces ‘Best Wine List’ which will now be incorporated into the judging and criteria of the Best Restaurant/Bar categories. Must have been open for 12 months at the time of the MFDF Gala Dinner.
Reserve, Didsbury.
Winos, Oldham.
hangingditch, City Centre.
Evuna, City Centre.
Gaucho, City Centre.
Turton Wines, Bolton.
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FOOD PIONEERS
New Award
This award has been specially created to recognise a Food Project, Pop Up, or Club in Manchester – the best food innovation, one-off event or dining club. This award recognises the ever-increasing, innovative and unique activity that enhances the food scene in Manchester making us a stand out, original food city.
Almost Famous, Pop Up Burger Experience, Northern Quarter, City Centre.
The Yacht Club, Manchester’s Pop Up French Riveria Summer Bar, Spinningfields.
Cracking Good Food, Manchester Based Cooking Network, Chorlton.
The Spice Club, Manchester’s First Secret Supper Club.
Sow the City, Helping Manchester Grow Their Own Food.
English Rose Bakery, Bringing the French Macaroon to Manchester.
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The Truly Good Food Award
Recognising those food and drink ventures that are committed to sustainability. Only restaurants accredited with the Truly Good Food scheme are eligible for this award. For more information visitwww.truly-good-food.co.uk.
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The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
There is no shortlist for this category. An individual or organisation who has made a significant contribution to the dining scene over the last 15 years will be presented with their award at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards.
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WWW.FOODANDDRINKFESTIVAL.COM
21st SEPTEMBER – 8TH OCTOBER.
REGION’S FOOD AND DRINK SCENE BRIGHTER THAN EVER ACCORDING TO MANCHESTER FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL.
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