ALTRINCHAM Market has been named Market of the Year in the prestigious Observer Food Monthly Awards and will be spotlighted in this Sunday’s (October 18) pull-out with the newspaper.
The award, voted for by readers, climaxes a sensational year for the revitalised Market House, which has come back from a fire to establish itself as an essential family-friendly foodie destination in the north west and scoop Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project of the Year in the 2015 Manchester Food and Drink Festival.
The OFM award is recognition for the strong community spirit among the traders in the Market House – Honest Crust Pizza, Reserve Wines, Jack in the Box, Wolfhouse and the rest – and at weekends among the outside stallholders.
"We're flattered to be recognised in such hallowed company in the OFM awards," Nick Johnson, director of Altrincham Market told Taste of Manchester.
"There are so many talented people that have made it possible, from the fiercely independent traders to the creative kitchens and bars that have quickly become superstars. Jack in the Box, Reserve, Honest Crust, Tender Cow, Wolfhouse Kitchen, Great North Pie and Sam Joseph are all outstanding talents and it's our collective endeavour that's an integral part of our appeal. We were all so chuffed to get the vote in this prestigious national award."
This year the awards were very London-centric (see list below) with the exception of a Taste of Manchester Irish favourite, Best Newcomer Harry’s Shack at Portstewart. We also recommend highly Restaurant of the Year, Palomar, off Shaftesbury Avenue (it was difficult to get a seat before!). Mary Berry gains the Lifetime Achievement Award. Definitely not a half-baked achievement!
Here's the full list...
Voted by the public:
Best restaurant - The Palomar, London; Best cheap eats - Max's Sandwich Shop, London;
Best Sunday lunch - The Camberwell Arms, London;Best new cookbook - Plenty More, Yotam Ottolenghi; Best ethical restaurant - The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton, London; Best independent retailer - Beanies Wholefoods, Sheffield; Best local market - Altrincham Market & Market House, Cheshire; Best place to drink - Dandelyan, London; Best food blog - Deliciously Ella; Best food personality - Tom Kerridge.
Judge voted:
Best producer - Veggies Galore; Best newcomer in food and drink - Harry's Shack, Portstewart; Outstanding achievement - Djalma Lucio Polli De Carvalho and Jude Ragan at Queensmill School; Young chef of the year - George O'Leary; Best reader's recipe - Selma Jeevanjee; Best food photography - Sarah Freethy; Lifetime Achievement - Mary Berry CBE.
