14 October 2009

Lisa Higginson

The cream of Manchester’s culinary crop turned out for a glamorous gathering at the Palace Hotel to celebrate the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Hosted by celebrity chef duo The Hairy Bikers, the event on Monday was a star-studded affair that saw a cluster of the city’s finest food and drink businesses presented with a host of prestigious accolades.

The annual awards followed months of public voting and careful consideration by a judging panel of industry experts, who were tasked with making the final decision. Among 2009’s big winners was sky-scraping city centre eatery The Modern, which scooped Restaurant of the Year, cool Northern Quarter hang out Apotheca, which was crowned Bar of the Year and taking home the title of Chef of the Year was the undeniably talented Ian Matfin, of Abode Manchester.

Si King and Dave Myers, aka The Hairy Bikers, said of the evening: “We dusted down the dinner suits and what a great night we had; it is wonderful to realise what a wealth of food treasure we have in the North West. The food festival has been one of the best – we can’t wait for next year! Good on yer Manchester!â€?

Siobhan Hanley, director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, said: “Once again, it was extremely difficult for the judging panel to decide the award winners as there is such a high quality of restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs in our city.â€?

The glittering evening was a culmination of the 12th annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival, which has proved a huge success and showcased a number of new events such as the Local and Independent Wine Festival at Urbis, The First Manchester Whisky Festival at MOSI and an Oktoberfest in Albert Square.

Phil Jones, executive director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, added: “We have all had an amazing time at the gala dinner and awards, which marks the end of this 12-day celebration of food and drink, and I would like to thank everyone who helped make this event happen.â€?
The winners of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2009 Awards are as follows:

Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet
Barbakan Delicatessen, Chorlton

Best Wine List
Gaucho Manchester

Best Coffee Bar/ Casual Dining
Folk Café Bar, West Didsbury

MFDF Award for Healthy and Sustainable Eating sponsored by Food Futures
Gabriel’s Kitchen, Manchester

Best Family Friendly Venue
Dough Pizza Kitchen, Manchester

Best Pub
Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester

Best Bar
Apotheca, Manchester

Best Newcomer
Damson, Heaton Moor

Restaurant of the Year
The Modern, Manchester

Chef of the Year
Ian Matfin, Abode Manchester

Outstanding Achievement Award
George Bergier, head sommelier at Sam’s and Tom’s Chophouses, Manchester

Investment in Skills Awards
• Professional Bartender Of The Year - Tom Lloyd, Obsidian
• Manchester Young Chef Of The Year - Michael Tate, Harvey Nichols
• Manchester Young Waiter Of The Year - Matthew Dutson, River Restaurant

Love Food Hate Waste Award
Mason Arms, Atherton

Producer of the Year Award
Mrs Kirkham’s Cheese

MFDF Cheese Challenge Winner
Garstang Blue by Dewlay Cheesemakers

Best Beer Brewed in Manchester, judged by panel at the Greater Manchester Real Ale Festival
Dobber by Marble Brewer

The People’s Pint Award
Outstanding Stout by Outstanding Brewery Co.

Cocktail of the Year
Alex Johnson of Hula