Manchester Food and Drink Festival winners of the 2015 Awards.
The 18th Manchester Food and Drink Festival took place from the 10-21st September, 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 highly anticipated and regarded by business and consumer audiences alike.
The below businesses were announced as winners at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards, held for the first time in Manchester Cathedral. 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.
Phil Jones, Festival Director commented:
“2015 has been a fantastic time to stage a food and drink festival and this year’s superb programme of events reflected that. The MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards, as always, is the climax to the Festival, and what a spectacular time to be presenting awards to the food and drink sector here in Greater Manchester. This year’s winners and nominees are a tribute to the extraordinary hospitality industry that continues to grow in size, variety, stature and national reputation, each and every year. Congratulations to all the MFDF shortlisted venues and especially to all the winners – bravo Manchester!”
The winners are…
Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Caterer.com
Aiming to recognise the best dining establishments in Manchester in 2015. This category refers to venues visited primarily for a full dining experience featuring table service, alcohol license etc.
THE WINNER:
The French – The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS.
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:
Hawksmoor – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Chef of the Year sponsored by Mint Staffing Solutions
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:
Alex Shaw, Volta, Didsbury.
Pub of the Year Sponsored by Fever Tree
Identifying the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
THE WINNER:
The Marble Arch – 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
Food Pub of the Year Sponsored by R Noone and Sons.
Acknowledging our region’s ‘gastro pubs’ – a chance for pubs to be recognized for what they’re doing in the kitchen, as a pub dining experience.
THE WINNER: The Clarence – 2 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EX
Bar of the Year sponsored by I Love Manchester
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’.
THE WINNER:
Ply – 26 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1DW
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year sponsored by Taste of Manchester
Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.
THE WINNER:
Lupo Caffè Italiano – 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF
Cheap Eats of the Year sponsored by Ahoy.
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:
Lily’s – 75-83 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year sponsored by Marston’s Brewery
This year the Best Food and Drink Retailer category will be searching the whole region for the best purveyors of food and drink ‘to go’ and be involving the general public in the process from the off – no shortlist will be announced by the judges. The Festival is asking the people of Greater Manchester once again to provide this shortlist and winner, and help us uncover the best food and drink retailer in the region. Votes can be cast on the Festival website at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards on 21st September.
THE WINNER:
A Taste of Honey, 138 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 1JQ
Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project of the Year sponsored by Deliveroo.
Designed to recognize the ever more pioneering food and drink one off projects, events, activities and pop ups happening in the region. The criteria for this category are fairly broad and the judges will consider special events, markets, pop up bars or restaurants, and dining clubs. Votes for this award can be cast on the Festival website, and the Festival will announce a winner as at the Gala Dinner.
THE 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 2015.
THE WINNER:
Yakumama from Manchester.
MFDF Award for Manchester’s Best Vegetarian Offer sponsored Louder Than War
The Festival, in association with cultural website, Louder Than War, decided that it was time to resurrect the award for best offering for vegetarians in a restaurant, in the city where the vegetarian movement all began.
THE WINNER:
Lotus Restaurant, 536 Wilmslow Road, M20 4BY
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement Sponsored by Salut Wines
Recognising a person or business who has contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester over the last 16 years. There was no shortlist for this category but businesses and individuals nominated their peers.
THE WINNER: Mike and Maggie Noone from R. Noone and Sons, Stockport.
