THERE’S five weeks left for you to vote for your eating and drinking faves nominated for the coveted 2017 Manchester Food and Drink Awards, climax of the 20th Manchester Food and Drink Festival. You’ve got until 9am on Wednesday, September 27, on the eve of the 10 day regionwide foodie extravaganza.
But with summer’s many distractions it could easily slip your mind, so register at this link and give your verdict in all the categories, up to 20 this time to celebrate that big festival landmark.
The shortlisted venues have been officially nominated for an MFDF award by a judging panel that comprises the region’s leading food and drink critics and experts. The public vote will be combined with scores from the panel and the awards will be handed out at a Gala Dinner at the spectacular Principal Hotel, Manchester on Monday, October 9.
The three new awards for 2017 are Best Brewery, Best Vegetarian Offering and Best Sustainable Food & Drink Business, all of which have been added to reflect the growth in these areas.
Manchester’s microbrewery scene has become an international tourism attraction, while, as the birthplace of vegetarianism, Manchester is also at the heart of the current trend towards a meat free lifestyle. The Best Sustainable Food & Drink Business award is born out of the Festival’s ambition to support and recognise commitment to environmental and ethical food and drink practices.
To remind you who’s up for a gong here’s the full set of shortlists:
Restaurant Of The Year (sponsored by caterer.com)
Recognising the ‘best of the best’ dining establishments in Greater Manchester in 2017. This category can feature restaurants of any style or price point.
Adam Reid at The French – Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
The Rabbit in the Moon – Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester M4 3BG
Where The Light Gets In – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
Umezushi (below) – Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ
Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Sugo – 22 Shaws Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU
Last year’s winner: Hawksmoor
Premium and Fine Dining Venue Of The Year (sponsored by Bookatable)
Recognising the best premium to fine dining establishments across the city.
Adam Reid at The French – Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
The Rabbit in the Moon – Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG
Where The Light Gets In – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
Umezushi – Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ
Hawksmoor – 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB
El Gato Negro – 52 King St, Manchester, M2 4LY
Last year’s winner: The French
Casual Restaurant Of The Year
This award was introduced in 2016 and aims to recognise the best informal dining establishments in Manchester.
Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Rudys – 9 Cotton St, Manchester, M4 5BF
Sugo – 22 Shaws Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU
Baratxuri (below)– 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AT
Porta – 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT
Hispi – 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Last year’s winner: Volta
Newcomer Of The Year (sponsored by Manchester Evening News)
Celebrating the best new food and drink operations to open in Greater Manchester since the last awards decision period in June 2016.
Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Where The Light Gets In – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
Hispi – 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Refuge – Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA
Porta – 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT
The Rabbit in the Moon – Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG
Last year’s winner: El Gato Negro
Chef of the Year
Aiming to celebrate 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.
Adam Reid, The French – Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Sam Buckley, Where The Light Gets In – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
Luke Cockerill, The Rabbit in the Moon – Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG
Matt Nutter, The Allotment Vegan Restaurant – 6 Vernon St, Stockport, SK1 1TY
Richard Sharples, Hispi – 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Aiden Byrne, Manchester House – 18-22 Bridge Street, Spinningfields, Manchester M33BZ
Last year’s winner: Terry Huang, Umezushi
Pub of the Year
Recognising the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
Blue Bell – 170 Barlow Road, Manchester Levenshulme, M19 3HF
Mounting Stone – 8, Woodford Road, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 2JJ
Samuel Oldknow – 22 Market Street Marple, SK6 7AD
The Magnet – 51 Wellington Road, Stockport, SK4 1HJ
Marble Arch – 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester, M4 4HY
The Parlour – 60 Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9EG
Last year’s winner: The Smithfield Tavern
Food Pub of the Year (sponsored by R Noone and Sons)
Recognising the region’s ‘gastropubs’ – a chance for ‘pub restaurants’ to be recognised in their own category.
White Hart – 51 Stockport Road, Lydgate, Oldham, OL4 4JJ
Bird at Birtle – 239 Bury And Rochdale Old Rd, Birtle, OL10 4BQ
Marble Arch – 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester, M4 4HY
Hearth of the Ram – 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, BLO OAA
Oddfellows –- Moor End Road, Mellor, Cheshire, SK6 5PT
Clarence – 2 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EX
Last year’s winner: Eagle and Child
Bar Of The Year (sponsored by Fever-Tree)
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’
Refuge – Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA
Cottonopolis – 16 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 2AE
Science and Industry – 49-51 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA
Common – 39-41 Edge St. Northern Quarter, Manchester, M41HW
Henry C’s (below) –107 Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9GA
Salut – 11 Cooper St, Manchester, M2 2FW
Last year’s winner: Albert’s Schloss
Craft Ale Bar Of The Year
This award applauds the best purveyors of craft ale across Greater Manchester.
Beermoth – 70 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LG
Pilcrow – Sadler’s Yard, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AB
Cloudwater Barrel Store – Arch 13, Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND
Bock Biere Café (beow) – 10 Tib Lane, Manchester, M2 4JB
Port Street Beer House – 39-41 Port St, Manchester, M1 2EQ
Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Last year’s winner: Heaton Hops
Best Out of Town Venue of the Year
Now in its second year, this award recognises the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester.
Hispi – 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Where The Light Gets In – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
The Allotment Vegan Restaurant – 6 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY
Sugo – 22 Shaws Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU
Porta – 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT
Baratxuri –1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AT
Last year’s winner: Levanter
Coffee Shop/Tea Shop Of The Year
Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.
Another Heart to Feed – 77-79 Chapel Street, Manchester, M3 5BZ
Ancoats Coffee – Unit 9, Royal Mills, 17 Redhill Street, Ancoats, M4 5BA
Trove – 1032 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester. M19 3WX
Idle Hands – 32-34 Dale Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1FY
Cafe Lupo – 6af, 142 Chapel St, Salford, M3 6AF
Takk – 6 Tariff St, Manchester, M1 2FF
Last year’s winner: Pot Kettle Black
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Recognising the best venues that are visited for a high value, quick and simple dining experience. This category can include cafes, takeaways and any venue whereby the price point and service style mean that the overall concept is widely considered by customers to be a more of a ‘food on the go’ style of dining and a main meal and drink can be purchased for under £10.
Cafe Lupo – 142 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 6AF
Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Rudys (below) – 9 Cotton St, Manchester, M4 5BF
Pasta Factory – 77 Shudehill, Manchester, M4 4AN
Seoul Kimchi – 275 Upper Brook Street, Manchester, M13 0HR
Fusion Lab – Manchester Arndale Market, M4 3AH
Last year’s winner: Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
To reflect the growing number and status of food and drink retailers in Greater Manchester.
Pollen Bakery – 2 Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND
Reserve Wines – 176 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 1LH
Lunya – Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BB
Easy FishCo – 117 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
Ancoats General Store – 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AB
Epicerie Ludo – 46 Beech Road, Manchester, M21 9EG
Last year’s winner: Salvi’s
Best Vegetarian Offering of the Year
New for 2017, this award focuses on the growing number of vegetarian offerings in the city and the growth in its popularity.
Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
The Allotment Vegan Restaurant – 6 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY
V Rev – 20-26 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HN
Indian Tiffin Room – First Street, 1 First St, Manchester, M15 4RL.
Manchester House – 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester, M3 3BZ
Sanskruti – 95 Mauldeth Rd, Manchester, M14 6SR
Manchester Brewery of the Year
2017 has seen some influential new breweries establish themselves in the city. This award raises a pint to them all and celebrates the very best brew in town.
Cloudwater – Units 7-8, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester, M1 2NP
Blackjack – 36 Gould Street, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4RN
Runaway – Unit 4 Millgate, Dantzic Street, Manchester, M4 4JW
Chorlton Brewing Co – 69 North Western Street, Manchester
Marble – 41 Williamson St, Manchester, M4 4JS
Track – 5 Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND
Best Pop Up, Event or Project of the Year
Designed to recognise the ever more pioneering food and drink one off projects, events, activities and pop ups happening in the region.
GRUB (below) – www.grubmcr.com
Not Just Soup – www.notjustsoupkitchen.co.uk
Real Junk Food – www.realjunkfoodmanchester.co.uk
Scrancoats – www.ancoatsgs.co.uk
Indie Man Beer Con – www.indymanbeercon.co.uk
Makers Market – www.themakersmarket.co.uk
Last year’s winner: Stockport Foodie Friday
Front Of House Team of the Year (sponsored by The Springboard Charity)
This award aims to recognise the most outstanding front of house team in Manchester. The panel were looking for the restaurant that goes that extra mile in terms of service – where customers can rely on an experience that makes them feel special, from greeting to leaving.
Hawksmoor – 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB
Umezushi – Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ
Piccolino – Clarence Street, Manchester, M2 4DW
Alberts Schloss – 27 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR
Tattu – Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB
Iberica – 14-15 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF
Last year’s winner: The French
Best Street Food
Awarding one of the Greater Manchester-based street food legends that are gracing our kerbs with an ever-increasing plethora of gastro goodiees
Hip Hop Chip Shop – www.thehiphopchipshop.com
Holy Crab – www.twitter.com/HolyCrab_UK
Otto Men – www.twitter.com/the_ottomen
Dim Sum Su – www.dimsumsu.com
Blue Caribou – www.bluecariboucanteen.com
Oh My Glaze – www.ohmyglaze.co.uk
Last year’s winner: Chaat Cart
Best Sustainability Award (sponsored by Sustainable Restaurant Association)
Recognising commitment to environmental and ethical practices within Greater Manchester’s restaurant industry. Restaurants are asked to put themselves forward for this award via submission of a sustainability template form. To put your restaurant forward for this event, please email [email protected]
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement (sponsored by The Principal Manchester )
Recognising someone who has contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester over the last 20 Festivals. Anyone with suggestions for this category should email [email protected].