The great and the good from Manchester’s hospitality industry all got their glad rags on for Manchester Food and Drink Festival’s prestigious food and drink awards this week.
The packed ceremony with over 350 hospitality professionals took place in The Ticket Hall at Escape to Freight Island.
Seventeen awards were up for grabs with categories including best restaurant, best bar and best food and drink producer across Greater Manchester. The categories represent the region’s stand out food and drink business and individuals who have brought so much to the industry during the past 12 months.
In what’s been another extraordinary year as the hospitality industry recovers from the pandemic whilst battling fresh economic challenges, the awards are designed to showcase the amazing talent within the region’s hospitality community.
The shortlists were compiled by a MFDF judging panel made up of the region’s leading food and drink critics, writers and experts. Each category was carefully considered to reflect our current innovative, diverse, and inspiring food and drink landscape.
The shortlist was published the MFDF website where the public was encouraged to vote for their hospitality heroes. Public votes for some of the awards were combined with a mystery shopping visit from members of the judging panel, whilst others were decided entirely by the public vote.
The Independent Drinks Producer of the Year and the Independent Food Producer of the Year Awards were judged by a panel taste test during the MFDF opening weekend.
The MDFD awards were presented in partnership with headline sponsors Bruntwood, and commemorated a year of ongoing innovation and success to further establish Greater Manchester’s importance on the national food and drink scene.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival said:
“The strength of this year’s awards is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the nominees. As ever, the awards put the spotlight on the incredible talent and resilience of our brilliant hospitality industry.
“Despite hugely challenging times for the industry, we’ve celebrated 112 fantastic Greater Manchester businesses this evening as the reputation of the sector continues to go from strength to strength.
“We’d like to thank the judges, everyone who voted and the nominated businesses who took part in this year’s awards, as well as our hosts at Escape to Freight Island for a wonderful night of celebrations.”
James Tootle, Head of Retail and Leisure, added: “We’re thrilled to have supported the MFDF Awards this year and proud to have been part of celebrating such a fantastic year for hospitality.
“Great restaurants, bars, cafes as well as talented chefs and entrepreneurs are at the heart of thriving towns and cities, and recognising the best in class is a fantastic way of celebrating the importance of this industry to the region as a whole. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated tonight!”
And the winners are…
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR, Sponsored by Stephensons
Recognising the ‘best of the best’ dining establishments in Greater Manchester in 2022, this category refers to venues visited primarily for a full dining experience featuring table service and a drink offering.
WINNER:
Where the Light Gets In, 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport SK1 1JY
SHORTLISTED VENUES: 10 Tib Lane, Erst, The Sparrows, Another Hand, Mana, Where the Light Gets In, The Firehouse
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Newcomer of the Year, Sponsored by Bruntwood
Recognising the best new food and drink operations to open in Greater Manchester since the last awards decision period.
WINNER:
Another Hand, Unit F, 253 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN
SHORTLISTED VENUES: The Alan, The Black Friar, Bundobust Brewery, Flawd, Yellowhammer, 10 Tib Lane
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Bar of the Year, Sponsored by Mr Yum
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that specialise in a ‘wet-led’ offer and aren’t considered ‘pubs’.
WINNER:
Speak in Code, Jackson’s Row, Manchester, M2 5ND
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Blinker Bar, Flawd, Henry C, Ramona, Schofield’s Bar, 10 Tib Lane
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Chef of the Year, Sponsored by Boutinot Wines
Aiming to recognise the most talented and outstanding work of chefs cooking in Greater Manchester kitchens – their skill, menu, commitment and contribution to the dining scene.
WINNER:
Eddie Shepherd, The Walled Gardens, Whalley Range
SHORTLISTED CHEFS: Caroline Martins - Sao Paulo Project, Blossom Street Social, Joseph Otway - Flawd, Sam Buckley - Where The Light Gets In, Patrick Withington - Erst, Adam Reid - The French, Julian Pizer - Another Hand
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Pub or Beer bar of the Year, Sponsored by Joseph Holt
Recognising the finest pub and beer bars in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales, beers and atmosphere.
WINNER:
The Kings Arms, 11 Bloom Street, Salford, M3 6AN
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Bridge Beers, Heaton Hops, House of Hops, The Kings Arms, Nordie, Track Taproom, Station Hop
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Food and Drink Retailer of The Year
The Best Food and Drink Retailer celebrates the best food and drink shopping experiences in the region.
WINNER:
Chorlton Cheesemongers, 486 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9AS
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Ad Hoc, Hello Oriental, Coopers Let’s Fress Deli, Le Social, Out of the Blue, Wandering Palate
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Independent Food Producer of the Year
Recognising the best producers of fine food across Greater Manchester. Those independent businesses who are doing exciting things to produce incredible artisan food.
WINNER:
Dormouse Chocolates, Unit O, Deansgate Mews, Manchester M3 4EN
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Great North Pie Co, Holy Grain, La Chouquette, Long Boi’s Bakehouse, Polyspore, Yellowhammer
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Coffee Shop of the Year
Recognising the best coffee shops in Greater Manchester.
WINNER:
Pollen, Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester, M4 6FQ
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cafe San Juan, Factory Coffee, Grind and Tamp, Grapefruit, Just Between Friends, Station South
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Food Trader of the Year
Awarding the Greater Manchester-based food heroes that are gracing our food halls, markets and events with a range of gastro goods.
WINNER:
Burgerism, 18 West Ashton Street, Salford, M50 2XS
SHORTLISTED VENUES: House of Habesha, The Little Sri Lankan, Lovingly Artisan, Mira, New Wave Ramen, Pico’s Tacos
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Plant Based Offering of The Year
This award recognises venues that provide innovative and exciting dining options for vegetarian and vegan diners.
WINNER:
Wholesome Junkies, Unit 4 Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Four Side Pizza, Herbivorous, Otto Vegan Empire, Ruyi Vegetarian House, Sanskruti, The Walled Gardens
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Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Recognising the best venues that are visited for a high value, quick and simple dining experience.
WINNER:
Salt & Pepper, MCR Black Dog Ballroom, 52 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PW
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Aunty Ji’s, Bahn Mi Co Ba, Cafe Sanjuan, Levenshulme Bakery, Go Falafel, Mama Flo’s
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Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
This award was set up in 2021 to celebrate those thriving communities and neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester that continue to build a name for themselves as a ‘go-to’ foodie destination.
WINNER:
Ancoats
SHORTLISTED AREAS: Chapel Street, Salford, Monton, Prestwich, Ramsbottom, Sale, Stockport
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Pop Up or Project Of The Year, sponsored by ASP Events
Recognising exciting projects and events and showcasing innovation and creativity within the food and beverage sector.
WINNER:
Stockport Foodie Friday
SHORTLISTED EVENTS: Platt Fields Market Garden, Sao Paulo, Suppher, Eat Well Spring Festival, Bungalow at Kampus, Heart and Parcel
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Independent Drinks Producer of the Year
This award recognises the amazing independent drinks producers in Greater Manchester.
WINNER:
Hip Pop, Manor House Farm, Station Road, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, WA14 5SG
SHORTLISTED PRODUCERS: Bundobust Brewery, Cloudwater, Hip Pop, Into the Gathering Dusk, Stockport Gin, Steep Soda, Track Brewing
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Neighbourhood Venue of the Year, Sponsored by The Manc
This award is set to recognise the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester.
WINNER:
Bar San Juan, 56 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9EG
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Baratxuri, The Easy Fish Co., Nila’s Burmese Kitchen, Ornella’s Kitchen, Osma, The Perfect Match
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Great Service Award, Sponsored by the Manchester Evening News
This award has been created to recognise teams and individuals working front of house across the hospitality sector that go above and beyond to make customers feel extra special and give them a great service experience.
WINNER:
Dishoom, 32 Bridge St, Manchester, M3 3BT
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Bull & Bear, Hawksmoor, Flawd, Schofield’s Bar, Speak in Code, 10 Tib Lane
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The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
Recognising people who have contributed something outstanding to the hospitality industry in Greater Manchester.
WINNER:
John and Rosemary Barratt, Stockport Foodie Friday
Image credit: Carl Sukonik - The Vain Photos