THE nominations for the 2019 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have been revealed. The winners of the prestigious awards will be announced at this year’s MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards which will be taking place at Gorton Monastery on Monday, October 7.
The hotly anticipated awards are the culmination of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival and are the highest profile, best-regarded food and drink awards in the North of England.
The shortlist has been decided by the MFDF judging panel that includes the region's leading food and drink experts, but YOU, the public can have your say in the final outcome. Voting is now open until Thursday, September. 26. Click here to make your vote count!
The nominations are:
Vegan Offering of the Year - Sponsored by R Noone and Sons
Vegan Offering of the Year has replaced MFDF’s previous Vegetarian Award. This revised category reflects Manchester’s commitment and dynamism in the plant-based eating scene.
Bundobust
Plant Powered Sundays at GRUB
Dishoom
Foodwell
Evelyn's
Amma's Canteen
LAST YEAR'S WINNER (of Vegetarian Offering of the Year): Lily’s
Foodie Event or Project of the Year
Designed to recognise the ever more pioneering food and drink one off projects, events, activities and pop ups happening in the region.
Indy Man Beer Con
Stockport Foodie Friday
GRUB
Surplus
Festa Italiana
Auction Against Hunger
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: HATCH
Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
To reflect the growing number and status of
food and drink retailers in Greater Manchester.
Wong
Wong Bakery
Lunya
Unicorn
Out of the Blue
HM Pasties
Taste
IT
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Pollen Bakery
Artisan Drinks Producer of the Year
Artisan Drinks Producer recognises the explosion of innovative and exciting independent drinks producers starting up right here in the region
Steep Soda
Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co
Manchester Gin
Track
Manchester Union Lager
Diablesse Rum
NEW AWARD
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Recognising the best venues that are visited for a high value, quick and simple dining experience at a price point and service style mean that the overall concept is widely considered by customers to be a more of a ‘food on the go’ style of dining.
The Spärrows
Bundobust
Lily's
YES
Rudy's
Siop Shop
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Mi & Pho
Coffee Shop of the Year - Sponsored by Gorton Monastery
Recognising the best coffee shops in the region.
Pollen Bakery
Siop Shop
Federal Cafe Bar
Trove
Ilde Hands
Ezra and Gil
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Pot Kettle Black
Front of House Team of the Year - Sponsored by Boutinot Wines
This award aims to recognise the most outstanding front of house team in Manchester. The panel were looking for the restaurant that goes that extra mile in terms of service – where customers can rely on an experience that makes them feel special, from greeting to departure.
Tast
Dishoom
Mana
Hawksmoor
The French
Erst
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: 20 Stories
Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year
This award recognises the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester.
Porta (Salford)
The Oystercatcher
Baratxuri
The Creameries
The Fisherman's Table
Lily's
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Where The Light Gets In
Bar of the Year - Sponsored by J.J Whitley
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’
The Jane Eyre
YES
Hawskmoor
Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun
Henry C
Speak in Code
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Science & Industry
Pub/Craft Ale Bar of the Year - Sponsored by Camden Town Brewery
Recognising the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
Cask
The Flying Horse Hotel
RTBC
Sandbar
Bunbury's
The Magnet
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Port Street Beer House
Chef of the Year - Sponsored by Stephensons
Aiming to celebrate 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.
Adam Reid
Sam Buckley
Simon Martin
Aiden Byrne
Omar Rodriguez
Miquel Villacrossa
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Rachel Stockley
Newcomer of the Year - Sponsored by Manchester Evening News
Celebrating the best new food and drink operations to open in Greater Manchester since the last awards decision period in June 2018.
Dishoom
Erst
Tast
Mana
The Fisherman's Table
Kala
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: The Creameries
Casual Restaurant of the Year
This award aims to recognise the best informal dining establishments in Manchester.
Sugo
Dishoom
Bundobust
Rudy's
Canto
Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Levanter Fine Foods
Premium and Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year - Sponsored by Bookatable
This award recognises the best premium to fine dining establishments across the city.
Mana
Tast
Hawksmoor
Where The Light Gets In
Umezushi
Restaurant MCR
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Adam Reid at The French
Best Sustainability Award Sponsored by Sustainable Restaurant Association
MFDF are looking for those venues that pride themselves on making good food for people and the planet, to enter for this award fill out the short questionnaire here.
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: The Creameries
Street Food Award of the Year
Awarding one of the Greater Manchester-based street food legends that are gracing our kerbs with an ever-increasing plethora of gastro goods. There is no shortlist for this, MFDF is handing this over to the public! Please vote via the MFDF website.
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Oh Mei Dumplings
The Howard and Ruth
Award for Outstanding Achievement
Recognising someone who contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester, nominations via the MFDF website.
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Jeremy Roberts, Living Ventures