LIVING Ventures boss Tim Bacon and his flagship chef Aiden Byrne, enjoyed a night of unprecedented triumph at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards.
Tim scooped a Lifetime Achievement for his contribution to the Manchester food and drink scene, while his fine dining restaurant, Manchester House, with Byrne at the helm, won Best Restaurant, Best Newcomer and Best Bar the first time a venue has won a triple in 17 years of the awards.
The only gong to elude Byrne on amazing night at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Gala Dinner in the Town Hall was Best Chef, which went to Adam Reid from arch-rivals Simon Rogan at The French, last years Best Restaurant winner.
Victories for minnows such as Richmond Tea Rooms, Viet Shack (pictured above with Manchester Confidential's Mrk Garner, who sponsored the Cheap East category) and Epicerie Ludo reflected the vitality of the dining scene around the city.
Festival director Phil Jones said: Manchesters dining market has seen another year of fantastic growth in both range of offer, and quality of experience, and this has been clearly reflected in the awards. We have seen innovative new food events taking the city by storm, alongside restaurant wars between some of the regions hottest chefs all have made for a fantastic year for MFDF that saw more than 90,000 visitors to our Festival Hub in Albert Square over the 11 day Festival.
The winners are...
Restaurant of the Year: Manchester House, Tower 12, 18-22 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BZ.
Newcomer of the Year: Manchester House.
Chef of the Year: Adam Reid, The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS.
Bar of the Year: Manchester House.
Pub of the Year: The Dockyard, Blue Tower, Media City UK, The Quays, Salford M50 2EQ.
Food Pub of the Year: Eagle and Child, 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom BL0 0DL.
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year: Richmond Tea Rooms, 15 Richmond St, Manchester M1 3HZ.
Cheap Eats of the Year: Viet Shack, Unit 8 Arndale Market, 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH.
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year: Epicerie Ludo, 46 Beech Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, Lancashire M21 9EG.
Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project of the Year new category for 2014 B.Eat Street
Best Street Food of the Year new category for 2014 Mei Mei
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. Tim Bacon of Living Ventures
