Manchester Food & Drink Festival returns from 7th – 17th October in its fourteenth year! And bigger and better than ever.
The MFDF team last week launched the return of one of the country’s most coveted food and drink festivals, announcing that despite the hostile economic climate they are determined to make it the best yet. And with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall topping the bill, and Mercury award-winning Manchester band Elbow using the Festival as a platform to launch their very own Robinsons Beer, aptly named ‘Build A Rocket Boys!’, they look set to do just that.
The industry’s top bods gathered at new culinary favourite Australasia to speculate over who would be part of this year’s prestigious MFDF Awards Shortlist. After much deliberation (and sushi) between a panel made up of some of the city’s most distinguished food writers and experts the nominees have been announced, and are as follows:
Restaurant of the Year
- Damson, 113 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
- Gaucho, 2A St Marys Street, Manchester, M3 2LB
- Harvey Nichols 2nd Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, Mcr, M1 1AD
- The Mark Addy, Stanley Street, Salford, M3 5EJ
- Michael Caines Restaurant @ Abode Manchester, 107 Piccadilly, Mcr, M1 2DB
- Ramsons, 16 – 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT
Newcomer of the Year
- Australasia, 1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AP
- Bistro 1847, 58 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ
- Cicchetti, Ground Floor, House of Fraser, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG
- Port Street Beer House, 39 – 41 Port Street, Manchester, M1 2EQ
- The Rose Garden, 218 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LW
- Vertigo, 36 John Dalton Street, Manchester M2 6LE
Bar of the Year
- The Alchemist, 3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF
- Black Dog Ballroom, Corner of Tib Street/Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PW
- Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE
- The Molly House, 26 Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3NB
- Port Street Beer House, 39 – 41 Port Street, Manchester, M1 2EQ
- The River Bar, The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH
Chef of the Year
- Brynn Evans, Rhubarb
- Ian Armstrong, Vertigo
- Laurence Tottingham and Mary-Ellen McTague, Aumbry
- Pete Taylor, Room
- Robert Owen Brown, The Mark Addy
- Stuart Thompson, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant
Wine List of the Year
- Evuna, 277-279 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EW
- Gaucho, 2A St Marys Street, Manchester, M3 2LB
- Harvey Nichols 2nd Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, Mcr, M1 1AD
- Michael Caines Restaurant @ Abode Manchester, 107 Piccadilly, Mcr, M1 2DB
- Ramsons, 16 – 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT
- The River Bar & Restaurant, The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, M3 5LH
Retailer of the Year
- Barbakan Deli., 67-71 Manchester Road, Chorlton cum Hardy, M21 9PW
- Bradley’s Bakery, 225 King’s Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9EE
- The Cheese Place, Unit 6, Radius Building, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AY
- J.A. Hyman (Titanics), 123-129 Waterloo Road, Cheetham, Mcr, M8 8BT
- Out of the Blue, 484 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 9AS
- W.H. Frosts Butchers, 14 Chorlton Place, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9AQ
Pub of the Year
- The Angel Pub, 6 Angel Street, Manchester, M4 4BQ
- Bar Fringe, 8 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JN
- The Briton’s Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5LE
- The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE
- The Nursery Inn, 258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport, SK4 2NA
- The Parlour, 66 Beech Road, Chorlton, M4 1LE
Coffee Shop and Casual Dining Venue the Year
- The Chocolate Cafe, 2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HX
- Jack Spratt, St James House, John Dalton Street, Manchester M2 6WH
- Kebabish, 49 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EF
- North Tea Power, 36 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LA
- Tampopo, 16 Albert Square, Manchester, M2 5PF
- Teacup on Thomas Street, 55 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA
Outstanding Achievement Award 2011
The Outstanding Achievement Award goes to an individual or organisation who has shown consistent and exceptional commitment to the industry and who the judging panel feels deserves particular recognition this year. There are no nominees for this category, but a winner will be announced at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards.
Best Family Friendly Venue
Once again, the Family Friendly Venue of the Year will be subject entirely to a public vote in 2011, leaving the decision in the hands of Greater Manchester’s families.
With the shortlist announced, the rest of the decision-making process is down to you, the people of Manchester, so make sure you visit the website here to cast your vote! The winners will be announced on the last day of the festival at a special Gala dinner at the Lowry Hotel.
For more information on how to get involved, what’s on offer, and when, visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
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