Manchester Food and Drink Festival this week announced the winners of their 2016 Awards. The 19th Manchester Food and Drink Festival took place from the 29th September to 10th October, with the glittering Gala Dinner and Awards providing the climactic closing ceremony for the Festival.
The awards are recognised as the highest profile in the region and they continue to provide a benchmark for excellence in the hospitality industries throughout Greater Manchester. They are hotly anticipated by business and consumer audiences alike.
This year’s Festival Awards included 5 new award categories taking the total presented to a record 17. These new awards were created to reflect the transformation expansion and improvement of Manchester’s dining scene in recent years.
The below businesses were announced as winners at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards, held at the stunningly refurbished Palace Hotel.
The MFDF Judging Panel is made up of the region’s leading food and drink critics and experts who selected the shortlists. The judges then ‘mystery shopped’ the nominated venues and the scores were then combined with votes from the public cast via the MFDF website.
The event took place in the Palace’s historic ballroom in front of 360 representatives from the region’s food and drink scene.
It was the culmination of the most successful Festival yet, attracting more than 100,000 visitors to the free Festival Hub on Albert Square over 11 days.
Drum roll please…
Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Caterer.com
Aiming to recognise the very ‘best of the best’ dining establishments in Manchester in 2016.
THE WINNER:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
Sugo, 22 Shaw’s Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: The French
Premium & Fine Dining Venue of the Year 2016 sponsored by Bookatable
This new award for 2016 aims to recognise the best premium to fine dining establishments across the city. ‘Premium and fine dining’ are defined as those restaurants whose concept centre on a ‘higher end’ experience. Restaurants whose price point, service style and product quality mean that the overall concept is widely considered by customers as an ‘occasion’ restaurant.
THE WINNER:
The French, The Midland, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Manchester House, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
Australasia, 1 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3AP
Iberica, 14-15 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3HF
Casual Dining Venue of the Year 2016 sponsored by Boutinot
This new award for 2016 aims to recognise the best casual dining establishments in Manchester. “Casual Dining” MFDF defined as those restaurants whose concept centre on a more informal experience. Restaurants whose price point & service style mean that the overall concept is widely considered by customers a more ‘every day’ restaurant.
THE WINNER:
Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
THE SHORTLIST:
Evelyn’s, G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB
Sugo, 22 Shaw’s Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
Indian Tiffin Room, Chapel St, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1BR /
Rudy’s Pizza, 9 Cotton St, Manchester M4 5BF
Salvi’s, 19 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6FW / Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR
Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year 2016 Sponsored by Manchester Confidential
This new award aimed to recognise the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester – taking in anywhere from Didsbury to Wigan!
THE WINNER:
Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
THE SHORTLIST
Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
Sugo, 22 Shaw’s Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
Baraxturi, 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
Brassica, 27 Shaw Rd, Stockport SK4 4AG
Rose Garden, 218 Burton Rd, Manchester, M20 2LW
Chef of the Year sponsored by City Card Manchester
Aiming to recognise the most talented and outstanding work of chefs cooking in Greater Manchester kitchens – his or her skill, menu, commitment and contribution to the dining scene.
THE WINNER:
Terry Huang, Umezushi
THE SHORTLIST:
Adam Reid, The French. The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
Simon Shaw, El Gato Negro. 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
Aiden Byrne, Manchester House. 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
Joe Botham, Levanter. 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
Terry Huang, Umezushi. 4 Mirabel St, Manchester M3 1PJ
Byron Moses, Evelyn’s. G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Alex Shaw, Volta
Pub of the Year Sponsored by Marston’s
Identifying the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
THE WINNER:
The Smithfield Tavern, 37 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
THE SHORTLIST:
Smithfield, 37 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
Magnet, 51 Wellington Rd N, Stockport SK4 1HJ
Baker’s Vault, Market Pl, Stockport SK1 1ES
The Eagle, 19 Collier Street, Greengate, Salford M3 7DW
Dock Yard, B3/4, Left Bank, Irwell St, Manchester M3 3AN
Crown and Kettle, 2 Oldham Rd, Manchester M4 5FE
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: The March Arch
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Manchester Evening News
Recognising the best new food and drink operations to open in Greater Manchester since the last awards decision period.
THE WINNER:
El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
THE SHORTLIST:
Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
Rudy’s Pizza, 9 Cotton St, Manchester M4 5BF
El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
Sugo, 22 Shaw’s Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
Indian Tiffin Room, 2 Isabelle Banks Street, First Street, Manchester M15 4RL
Evelyn’s, G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Hawksmoor
Food Pub of the Year Sponsored by R Noone and Sons.
Acknowledging our region’s ‘gastro pubs’ – a chance for pubs to be recognised for what they’re doing in the kitchen.
THE WINNER:
Eagle and Child, 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom BL0 0DL
THE SHORTLIST:
White Hart, 51 Stockport Rd, Lydgate, Saddleworth OL4 4JJ
The Marble Arch, 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY
Hearth of the Ram, 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, BL0 0AA
Eagle and Child, 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom BL0 0DL
The Parlour, 60 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EG
Oddfellows, Moor End Rd, Mellor, SK6 5PT
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: The Clarence
Bar of the Year sponsored by Fever Tree
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’.
THE WINNER:
Albert Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
THE SHORTLIST:
Albert Schloss, 9 Cotton St, Manchester M4 5BF
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
Tariff and Dale, 2 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FN
Black Cat at El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
The First Floor Bar, Cain and Grain. 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Ply
Craft Ale Bar of the Year
This new award for 2016 recognises the best purveyors of craft ale across Greater Manchester.
THE WINNER: Heaton Hops, 7 School Ln, Stockport SK4 5DE
THE SHORTLIST:
Café Beermoth, Brown St, Manchester M2 1DA
Heaton Hops, 7 School Ln, Stockport SK4 5DE
Beagle, 458 Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester M21 0BQ
Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port St, Manchester M1 2EQ
Font, Chorlton. 115-117 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9PG
Saison, 115-117 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9PG
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year
Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.
THE WINNER:
Pot Kettle Black, 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW
THE SHORTLIST:
Trove, 1032 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WX
Pot Kettle Black, 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW
Grindsmith, 231-233 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Takk, 6 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
Ezra and Gill, 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR
Fig and Sparrow, 20 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JA
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Lupo Caffe Italiano
Cheap Eats of the Year
Recognising the best venues that are visited for a high value, casual eating
experience. Judges looking for venues that can offer a good meal for under a tenner!
THE WINNER:
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, 10 Church St, Manchester M4 1PN
THE SHORTLIST
Viet Shack, 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH
Honest Crust, 26 Market St, Altrincham WA14 1SA
Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, 10 Church St, Manchester M4 1PN
Chaat Cart, The Kitchens, Leftbank, Irwell St, Manchester M3 3AG
Siam Smiles, 48A George St, City Centre, Manchester M1 4HF
Lupo Caffe Italiano, 6af, 142 Chapel St, Salford M3 6AF
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Lily’s
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year sponsored by Campari
To reflect the growing number and status of food and drink retailers in Greater Manchester, this year the MFDF panel shortlisted their own nominees, rather than leave it to the public vote in full as in previous years.
THE WINNER:
Salvi’s, 22b, The Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR
THE SHORTLIST
Lunya, 7 Barton Square, Manchester M3 2BB
Trove, 1032 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WX
Out of the Blue, 484 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester, M21 9AS
Altrincham Market, Greenwood St, Altrincham WA14 1SA
Reserve Wines, 176 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 1LH
Salvi’s, 19 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6FW / Corn Exchance, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: A Taste of Honey
Front of House Team of the Year 2016 Sponsored by Springboard
Aiming to recognise the most outstanding front of house team in Manchester. MFDF looked for the restaurant that goes that extra mile in terms of service – where customers can rely on an experience that makes them feel special, from greeting to leaving.
THE WINNER: The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
Iberica, 14-15 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3HF
Manchester House, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
Fazenda, 1 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3AP
Asha’s, 47 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NG
Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project
Designed to recognise the ever more pioneering food and drink one off projects, events, activities and pop ups happening in the region.
THE WINNER:
Stockport Foodie Friday
THE SHORTLIST
Not Just Soup, http://www.notjustsoupkitchen.co.uk
Real Junk Food Project, http://realjunkfoodmanchester.co.uk
Grub, http://www.grubmcr.com
Sadlers Yard, Redfern St, Manchester M60 0AB
Stockport Foodie Friday, http://skfoodiefriday.co.uk
Neil Buttery, 30 Albert Rd, Manchester M19 2FP
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Altrincham Market
Best Street Food of the Year sponsored by Capital FM.
The Festival also recognised one of the street food legends that are gracing our kerbs with an ever-increasing plethora of gastro goods. A judging event for this award took place at the Festival Hub during MFDF 2016.
THE WINNER:
Chaat Cart, B.Eat Street, Deansgate Mews, Great Northern Warehouse, Manchester M3 4EN
LAST YEAR’S WINNER:
Yakumama from Manchester.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement Sponsored by The Palace Hotel
Recognising a person or business who has contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester over the last 19 years. There was no shortlist for this category but businesses and individuals nominated their peers.
THE WINNER: John Slattery from Slattery’s, Whitefield
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Mike and Maggie Noone from R. Noone and Sons, Stockport.
