Monday night saw the climax of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, with the annual Gala Dinner and Award ceremony, held this year at the Palace Hotel on Oxford Road. This was a glitzy affair with a six-course banquet, lashings of wine and an esteemed audience compiled from familiar faces from the Manchester food and drink scene and beyond.
The Gala dinner itself was a mixed bag of food; a very gristly pressed game starter served on tough bread, was followed by an apple sorbet reminiscent of a poorly defrosted apple crumble. The Salmon main, however, was delicious, served with a ginger cream sauce, Manchester pak choi and buttery crushed new potatoes. The chocolate brownie was very heavy for a dessert but I did like the minimalist cheese selection.
All that aside, the night was about the awards and itâs fair to say, most were taken by very worthy winners. I wish to commend in particular: CUP (Coffee Bar and Casual Dining Venue of the Year) for providing a new wave, urban tea house in the heart of the Northern Quarter, The Deaf Institute (Bar of the Year) one of the best new venues for live music in keeping with the Trof principles of quality food and drink, and Tampopo (Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year) for a fantastic range of pan-Asian food, simple setting and easy atmosphere!
Well Done to all winners!
Restaurant of the Year sponsored by City Life
Michael Caines at Abode.
Bar of the Year sponsored by City Life
Trof at The Deaf Institute.
Pub of the Year sponsored by City Life
Arden Arms.
Coffee Bar and Casual Dining Venue of the Year sponsored by City Life
CUP Café
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Co-operative Food
Ithaca
Chef of the Year sponsored by Sugarvine
Abdulla Naseem (Ramsons)
Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Tampopo.
Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet sponsored by BBC Radio Manchester
Heroes.
Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year sponsored by The Vegetarian Society
Greens
Best Wine List sponsored by Northern Hospitality Group
Grado.
Outstanding contribution
Andrew Nutter (Nutters).
Best Beer Brewed in Greater Manchester
The Alchemist Ale by Pictish Brewery, Rochdale
Award for Healthy and Sustainable Eating sponsored by Food Futures
Earth Café.