AS September arrives it’s time to start counting down to Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2019(Sep 26-Oct 7), and to get your votes in for the coveted Manchester Food and Drink Awards. Voting is now open until Thursday, September 26. The winners in all 18 categories will be announced at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards at Gorton Monastery on Monday, October 7.
The exciting shortlist has been decided by a judging panel that includes the region's leading food and drink experts, but YOU, the public can have your say in the final outcome. Check out the shortlists and click here to make your vote count!
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR This overall award is chosen from the shortlists for Premium & Fine Dining and Casual Restaurant of the Year. Last year’s winner: Adam Reid at The French.
PREMIUM AND FINE DINING RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Mana Tast Hawksmoor Where The Light Gets In Umezushi Restaurant MCR (last year’s winner: Adam Reid at The French)
CASUAL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Sugo Dishoom Bundobust Rudy's Canto Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun (last year’s winner: Levanter Fine Foods)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Dishoom Erst Tast Mana The Fisherman's Table Kala (last year’s winner: The Creameries)
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Adam Reid (The French) Sam Buckley (Where The Light Gets In) Simon Martin (Mana) Aiden Byrne (Restaurant MCR) Omar Rodriguez (Umezushi) Miquel Villacrossa (Tast Catala) (last year’s winner: Rachel Stockley)
BAR OF THE YEAR
The Jane Eyre YES Hawskmoor Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun Henry C Speak in Code (last year’s winner: Science & Industry)
PUB/CRAFT ALE BAR OF THE YEAR
Cask The Flying Horse Hotel Reasons To Be Cheerful Bunbury's The Magnet (last year’s winner: Port Street Beer House)
NEIGHBOURHOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Porta (Salford) The Oystercatcher Baratxuri The Creameries The Fisherman's Table Lily's (last year’s winner: Where The Light Gets In)
COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR
Pollen Bakery Siop Shop Federal Cafe Bar Trove Ezra and Gil (last year’s winner: Pot Kettle Black)
AFFORDABLE EATS VENUE OF THE YEAR
The Spärrows Bundobust Lily's YES Rudy's Siop Shop (last year’s winner: Mi & Pho)
ARTISAN DRINKS PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Steep SodaBeatnikz Republic Brewing Co Manchester Gin Track Brewing Manchester Union Lager Diablesse Rum (new award)
FOOD AND DRINK RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Wong Wong Bakery Lunya Unicorn Out of the Blue HM Pasties Taste IT (last year’s winner: Pollen Bakery)
VEGAN OFFERING OF THE YEAR
BundobustPlant Powered Sundays at GRUBDishoomFoodwellEvelyn'sAmma's Canteen(last year’s winner – of Vegetarian Offering of the Year – Lily’s)
FOODIE EVENT OR PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Indy Man Beer Con Stockport Foodie Friday GRUBSurplus Festa Italiana Auction Against Hunger( last year’s winner: HATCH)
FRONT OF HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Tast Dishoom Mana Hawksmoor The French Erst (last year’s winner: 20 Stories)
STREET FOOD AWARD Going to one of the Greater Manchester-based street food legends. There is no shortlist; MFDF is handing this over to the public. Vote via the MFDF website. Last year’s winner: Oh Mei Dumplings
SUTAINABILITY AWARD MFDF are looking for those venues that pride themselves on making good food for people and the planet, to enter for this award fill out the short questionnaire here. Last year’s winner: The Creameries
THE HOWARDS AND RUTH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT Recognising someone who contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester, nominations via the MFDF website. Last year’s winner: Jeremy Roberts, Living Ventures