Greater Manchester’s hospitality businesses can now put themselves forward across 17 categories ahead of the awards in January...
Nominations are now open for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2026, with hospitality businesses across Greater Manchester invited to put themselves forward.
The annual awards will return on Monday 25 January 2027, recognising restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, chefs, producers and community projects from across the region.
This year there are 17 categories, including Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Pub or Beer Bar of the Year, Cafe or Coffee Shop of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
Businesses can also enter categories including Affordable Eats Venue of the Year, Takeaway of the Year, Wine Offering of the Year, Food Trader of the Year, Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year, Independent Drink Producer of the Year and Independent Food Producer of the Year.
The remaining awards cover Neighbourhood Venue of the Year, Great Service, Low or No Offering of the Year and Community Food and Drink Project of the Year.
For Newcomer of the Year, businesses must have opened for the first time between September 2025 and 4 September 2026.
Businesses can nominate themselves by completing a registration and entry form, which will then be considered by the MFDF judging panel. Judges can also nominate businesses independently of the application process.
Shortlists are due to be announced in September, when public voting will also open. Votes will be combined with scores from a mystery shopping period, with judges anonymously visiting nominated venues in selected categories.
The Community Food and Drink Project of the Year also returns for 2026, recognising Greater Manchester initiatives creating a positive social impact through food and drink. The winner will receive a £1,000 grant from Therme Manchester alongside a £2,000 legacy project and mentorship.
Last year’s winner, MUD, has since worked with Therme to create The Manchester Pea, a digital and print publication exploring Manchester’s history of growing food.
The opening of nominations comes as MFDF confirms a new five-year partnership with Therme Manchester, which will become headline sponsor of the awards as work continues towards the opening of its wellbeing resort at TraffordCity.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of MFDF Awards, said: “We’re thrilled that Therme Manchester has chosen to partner with us for the next five years. It’s a huge vote of confidence in the awards and in the strength, resilience and creativity of Greater Manchester’s outstanding hospitality industry.
“The awards shine a spotlight on the incredible businesses and individuals who make our region one of the UK’s most exciting food and drink destinations. We would love to hear from hospitality businesses from across Greater Manchester who would like to put themselves forward for this year’s awards so that we can discover even more great venues and showcase as many businesses as possible to the judging panel. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony in January 2027.”
Ben Dutson, Director of Culinary Experiences at Therme Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester has an extraordinary food and hospitality culture, and Therme Manchester will become part of that story. This five-year partnership is much more than sponsorship of an awards ceremony – it represents a long-term commitment to celebrating the talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that make the region’s food and drink sector so special.”
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