IT has been an unprecedented year of new arrivals on the Manchester food and drink scene and the most high profile of these, Hawksmoor, scooped Newcomer of the Year at the 2015 Manchester Food and Drink Awards, but in other categories home-grown outfits made their mark.
Most surprising winner was perhaps Alex Shaw of Volta, who pipped Manchester House’s high profile Aiden Byrne for Chef of the Year, but the West Didsbury bar/eaterie had deservedly been nominated in three categories, testimony to a resurgence in the suburbs, too, reflected in the strongest shortlists for years.
The naming of Simon Rogan at The French as Restaurant of the Year was less unexpected, crowning a spectacular MFDF Gala Dinner, held for the first time in Manchester Cathedral and cooked by Matthew Horsfield and his team from Harvey Nichols.
The Awards, hosted by the BBC's Becky Want and Matt White, came as the culmination of this year’s food and drink festival, which ran for 11 event-packed days across the city centre.
Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Caterer.com
Winner: Simon Rogan at The French - Midland Hotel
Shortlisted
Volta, West Didsbury
Hawksmoor, Deansgate,
Iberica, Spinningfields
Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom
Mughli, Rusholme, Manchester
(Last year’s winner: Manchester House)
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Manchester Evening News
Winner: Hawksmoor, Deansgate
Shortlisted
Iberica, Spinningfields, Manchester
Salut Wines, Cooper Street
Brassica, Heaton Moor
Lupo Caffè Italiano, Salford
Tariff & Dale, Northern Quarter
(Last year's winner: Manchester House)
Chef of the Year sponsored by Mint Staffing Solutions
Winner: Alex Shaw, Volta, West Didsbury.
Shortlisted
Aiden Byrne, Manchester House, Spinningfields
Abdulla Naseem, Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom
David Leong, Yuzu, Chinatown
Mike Jennings, Grenache, Walkden
David Gale, The Lawn Club, Spinniningfields
(Last year's winner: Adam Reid, The French)
Pub of the Year
Winner: The Marble Arch, Rochdale Road,
Shortlisted
Bakers Vaults, Stockport
The Baum, Rochdale
Wigan Central Bar, Wigan
The Harewood Arms, Broadbottom
The Clarence, Bury
(Last year's winner: The Dockyard, MediaCityUK)
Food Pub of the Year
Winner: The Clarence, Bury
Shortlisted
The Marble Arch, Rochdale Road
The Parlour, Chorlton
Sam’s Chop House, Back Pool Fold
Shoulder of Mutton, Holcombe Village
The Angel, Angel Street
(Last year's winner: Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom)
Bar of the Year sponsored by I Love Manchester
Winner: Ply, Northern Quarter
Shortlisted
Volta, West Didsbury
Hawksmoor, Deansgate
Wine & Wallop, West Didsbury
Salut Wines, Cooper Street
Cane & Grain, Northern Quarter
(Last year's winner: Manchester House)
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year sponsored by Taste of Manchester
Winner: Lupo Caffè Italiano, Salford
Shortlisted
Pot Kettle Black, Deansgate
Grindsmith, Deansgate
North Tea Power, Northern Quarter
Fig & Sparrow, Northern Quarter
Tea Hive, Chorlton
(Last year's winner: Richmond Tea Rooms, Manchester)
Cheap Eats of the Year
Winner: Lily’s, Ashton-under-Lyne
Shortlisted
Crazy Pedro’s, Bridge Street
Siam Smiles, Chinatown
Filthy Cow, Tib Lane
Jasmine, Chorlton
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn, Northern Quarter
(Last year's winner: Viet Shack, Manchester Arndale)
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
Winner: A Taste of Honey, West Didsbury
(Last year's winner: Epicerie Ludo, Chorlton)
Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project of the Year sponsored by Deliveroo.
Winner: Altrincham Market
Shortlisted
(Last year’s winner: B.Eat Street Manchester)
Best Street Food of the Year
Winner: Yakumama
(Chosen at The Hub during the Festival)
MFDF Award for Manchester’s Best Vegetarian Offer sponsored by 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.
Winner: Lotus Restaurant, Palatine Road
R Noone and Son Ltd http://www.rnooneandson.co.uk
Recognising a person or business who has contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester over the last 17 years.