MONDAY, September 21. Manchester Cathedral. The MFDF Gala Dinner. It’s the reckoning. There can only be one winner in each category. It’s the coveted Manchester Food and Drink Awards. And the nerve-ends are already tingling.
TOM expects an exceptional meal (details of which are under wraps) cooked by Matthew Horsfield and his team from Harvey Nichols, while the venue, the first time it has been used for Greater Manchester’s culinary Oscars, is certainly spectacular. But like goals in football, ultimately it’s the gongs that count.
The awards are hosted by the BBC's Becky Want and Matt White.
Below is a refresher on the contenders in each of the 11 categories, chosen by the MFDF judging panel and a public vote
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.
Volta - 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN
The French - The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Hawksmoor – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Iberica - 14-15 The Avenue Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF
Hearth of the Ram - 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0AA
Mughli - 30 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Lancashire M14 5TQ
Last year's winner: Manchester House
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 (July 2014).
Hawksmoor – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Iberica - 14-15 The Avenue Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF
Salut Wines - 11 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW
Brassica - 27 Shaw Road, Heaton Moor, Manchester SK4 4AG
Lupo Caffè Italiano - 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF
Tariff & Dale - 2 Tariff Street, Manchester
Last year's winner: Manchester House
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.
Aiden Byrne, Manchester House, Spinningfields, Manchester.
Abdulla Naseem, Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom.
David Leong, Yuzu, China Town, Manchester.
Alex Shaw, Volta, Didsbury.
Mike Jennings, Grenache, Walkden.
David Gale, The Lawn Club, Spinniningfields, Manchester.
Last year's winner: Adam Reid, The French,
Pub of the Year
Identifying the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
Bakers Vaults - Market Place, Stockport SK1 1ES
The Baum - 33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 0NU
Wigan Central Bar - 1 Queen Street, Arch No. 1, Wigan WN3 4DY
The Marble Arch - 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
The Harewood Arms - 2 Market St, Broadbottom, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 6AX
The Clarence, 2 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EX
Last year's winner: The Dockyard, MediaCityUK
Food Pub of the Year
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 Marble Arch - 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
The Clarence - 2 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EX
The Parlour - 60 Beech Road, Manchester M21 9EG
Sam’s Chop House - Back Pool Fold, Manchester M2 1HN
Shoulder of Mutton - Holcombe Village, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 4LZ
The Angel, 6 Angel Street, Manchester, M4 4BQ
Last year's winner: Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom
Bar of the Year sponsored by I Love Manchester
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’.
Volta - 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN
Hawksmoor - 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Wine & Wallop - 97 Lapwing Lane, Manchester M20 6UR
Salut Wines - 11 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW
Cane & Grain - 49-51 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA
Ply - 26 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1DW
Last year's winner: Manchester House
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year sponsored by Taste of Manchester
Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.
Pot Kettle Black - 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW
Grindsmith - 231 - 233 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
North Tea Power - 36 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LA
Lupo Caffè Italiano - 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF
Fig & Sparrow - 20 Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JA
Tea Hive - 53 Manchester Rd, Chorlton Cum Hardy M21 9PW
Last year's winner: Richmond Tea Rooms, Manchester
Cheap Eats of the Year
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.
Crazy Pedro’s - 55-57 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BQ
Siam Smiles - 48A George Street, City Centre, Manchester M1 4HF
Filthy Cow - 10 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JB
Lily’s - 75-83 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
Jasmine - 569 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester M21 8AE
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn - 100-102 High Street, Manchester M4 1HP
Last year's winner: Viet Shack, Manchester Arndale (below)
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
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.
Last year's winner: Epicerie Ludo, Chorlton
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.
Last year’s winner: B.Eat Street Manchester
Best Street Food of the Year
A judging event for this award will take place at the Festival Hub during MFDF 2015. Businesses don’t have to be trading at the Festival Hub to be eligible, but they will need to be able to bring a signature dish to the Square for the judges to taste. MFDF’s Best Street Food Winner will be named at the tasting and presented with their award at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
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 will be no shortlist for this category and businesses or individuals may not nominate themselves, but are welcome to nominate their peers.
Last year’s winner: Tim Bacon, Living Ventures, pictured below with Noddy Holder
