Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2018: shortlist revealed

The shortlist for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2018 has just been announced. 

The highly anticipated annual awards celebrate and acknowledge the region's most innovative restaurants, bars and individuals within the hospitality industry. As part of the festival’s 21st anniversary, the awards will be held on Monday 8th October, in the stunning and gothic surroundings of Gorton Monastery.

This year, Greater Manchester’s best dining and drinking haunts have been divided into eighteen different categories, in order to reflect the area’s ever expanding and constantly evolving food and drink scene. 

Restaurant and food awards range from premium and fine dining venue, chef of the year and best newcomer, to affordable eats, casual dining, best pop-up event and street food trader of the year. There will also be gongs to recognise the best front of house team and vegetarian offering of the year.

The region’s best drinking holes will be rewarded with awards for best bar, best brewery and best pub of the year as well as a category for the best coffee and tea shops.

The shortlisted venues below have been officially compiled for each award category by the MFDF judging panel that comprises the region’s leading food and drink writers and experienced hospitality consultants.

The award nominations will be posted on the MFDF website from 27th June allowing the general public to offer their support and vote for their favourite nominees until the voting window closes at midnight on Thursday 27th September.

Members of the judging panel will also visit each establishment in a series of mystery dining visits where the venues will be marked in various sub-categories following strict criteria. The winners will ultimately be decided by a combination of public votes and the accumulated scores obtained by the results from the visits from the judging panel. Last year's winners are not eligible to be nominated in the same category.

This year Adam Reid at The French, The Rabbit in the Moon, Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In and tiny Japanese restaurant Umezushi will be vying for a number of awards in the same category including Restaurant of the Year and Premium and Fine Dining Venue of the Year. 

Three of those are also going head to head to be named Chef of the Year, which is between Reid, Samuel Buckley (WTLGI) and Umezushi’s Omar Rodriguez Marrero, together with Hispi’s Richard Sharples, ex-Fraiche chef Ben Mounsey from Grafene and Rachel Stockley who heads the Catalan kitchens of Baratxuri in Ramsbottom.

And the nominations are… 

Restaurant of the Year - sponsored by Caterer.com 

Recognising the ‘best of the best’ dining establishments in Greater Manchester in 2018. This category can feature restaurants of any style or price point.

Adam Reid at The French - Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS 

The Rabbit in the Moon – Urbis, Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester M4 3BG

Where The Light Gets In - 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY 

Umezushi - Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ 

Sugo - 22 Shaw’s Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU 

Levanter - 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Bundobust

Premium and Fine Dining Venue of the Year - sponsored by Bookatable 

This award recognises the best premium to fine dining establishments across the city. 

Adam Reid at The French - Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS 

The Rabbit in Moon - Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG 

Where The Light Gets In - 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY 

Umezushi - Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ 

Hawksmoor - 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB 

Grafene - 55 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: El Gato Negro

Casual Restaurant of the Year  

This award aims to recognise the best informal dining establishments in Manchester. 

Bundobust - 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ 

Sugo - 22 Shaw’s Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU 

Porta - 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT 

Albert’s Schloss - 27 Peter St, Manchester, M2 5QR 

Elnecot - 41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6AJ 

Levanter - 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9A 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Baratxuri

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 2017.

Elnecot - 41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6AJ

Wood - Jack Rosenthal Street, First Street, Manchester, M15 4RA

20 Stories - NO. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB

Randall and Aubin - 64 Bridge St, Manchester, M3 3BN

The Creameries - 406 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester, M21 0SD

Blanchflower - 12-14 Shaw’s Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Where The Light Gets In

Chef of the Year sponsored by Stephenson’s 

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, The French - Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS 

Sam Buckley, Where The Light Gets In - 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY

Richard Sharples, Hispi, 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD 

Ben Mounsey, Grafene - 55 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ 

Omar Rodriguez Marrero, Umezushi – Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ 

Rachel Stockley, Baratxuri - 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AT

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Matt Nutter, Allotment 

Pub / Beer Bar of the Year sponsored by Carlsberg UK

Recognising the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.

Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar - Platform 4, Stalybridge Railway Station, Rassbottom St, Stalybridge SK15 1RF 

Café Beermoth - 70 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LG 

Trackside Bar - Bolton St Station, Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY  

Heaton Hops - 7 School Ln, Stockport, SK4 5DE 

The Bay Horse Tavern - 35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA 

Port Street Beer House - 39-41 Port St, Manchester M1 2EQ 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Marble Arch 

Bar of The Year - sponsored by Double Dutch 

Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’.

Cottonopolis - 16 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 2AE 

Science and Industry - 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA 

Hawksmoor - 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB 

Flok - 5 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN 

Albert’s Schloss - 27 Peter St, Manchester, M2 5QR 

Patron – 42 – 44 Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1LE 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: The Refuge 

Out of Town Venue of the Year sponsored by R Noone & Son

Now in its third year, this award recognises the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester.

Where The Light Gets In - 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY

The Allotment Vegan Restaurant - 6 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY

Sugo - 22 Shaw’s Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU

Porta - 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT

Levanter - 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9A

The Creameries - 406 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester, M21 0SD 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Baratxuri 

Coffee Shop/Tea Shop of the Year sponsored by Gorton Monastery

Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.

Ancoats Coffee - Unit 9, Royal Mills, 17 Redhill Street, Ancoats, M4 5BA

Idle Hands - 35 Dale St, Manchester, M1 2HF

Takk - 6 Tariff St, Manchester, M1 2FF

Pot Kettle Black - 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW

Ezra and Gil - 20 Hilton St, Manchester, M1 1FR

Fig and Sparrow - 20 Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JA

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Trove 

Affordable Eats Venue of the Year

Recognising the best venues that are visited for a high value, quick and simple dining experience. This category can include cafes, takeaways and any venue whereby the 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 and a main meal and drink can be purchased for under £10.

Lupo Caffé Italiano  – Boat Shed, 16 Exchange Quay, Salford, M5 3EQ

Platzki - 255 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN

Eat New York – 64 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE

Lord of the Pies - 559a Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M218AN

Mi and Pho - 384 Palatine Rd, Northenden, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 4FZ

Fusion Lab - Manchester Arndale Market, M4 3AH 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Rudy’s Pizza 

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year

Reflects the growing number and status of food and drink retailers in Greater Manchester. 

Pollen - Unit 2B, Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester, M4 6FQ

Lunya - Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BB 

Epicerie Ludo - 46 Beech Road, Manchester, M21 9EG 

Salvi’s – Unit 22b, The Corn Exchange, Manchester, M4 3TR 

Mettrick’s Butchers - 63 Melbourne St, Stalybridge, SK15 2JJ 

Grape to Grain - 1 Church Ln, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AN 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Ancoats General Store

Vegetarian Offering of the Year sponsored by Quorn 

Reintroduced in 2017 this award focuses on the growing number of vegetarian offerings in the city and reflects the huge growth in meat and dairy free dining.   

Bundobust - 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ 

Indian Tiffin Room - First Street, 4RL, 1 First St, Manchester, M15 

Lily’s - 75-83 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7DF

Chaat Cart - 13 - 15 Derby Way, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7AH 

Elnecot - 41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ  

Amma’s Canteen - 285 Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester, M21 7GH 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: The Allotment

Manchester Brewery of the Year  

This award raises a pint to all the great breweries establishing themselves throughout Greater Manchester and celebrates the very best brew in town.

Beatnikz - 15 Red Bank, Manchester, M4 4HF

Wander Beyond - 98 N Western St, Manchester, M12 6JL

Pomona Island Brew Co Ltd, 33 Waybridge Enterprise Centre, Daniel Adamson Road, Salford, M50 1DS

Runaway - Unit 4 Millgate, Dantzic Street, Manchester, M4 4JW

Marble - 41 Williamson St, Manchester, M4 4JS

Track - 5 Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Cloudwater

Pop Up, event or project of the Year sponsored by Manchester’s Finest

Designed to recognise the ever more pioneering food and drink one off projects, events, activities and pop ups happening in the region.

Hatch – Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED

Ancoats Food Assembly - Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, 33 Blossom Street, M4 5AF Manchester

Into the Gathering Dusk – Barbecue Coffee Manchester, 486 Wilbraham Road, M21 9AS

Hyssop – Various 

MCR Beer Week – Various 

Stockport Foody Friday – Market Place, Stockport, SK1 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: GRUB

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 depature. 

Piccolino - Clarence Street, Manchester, M2 4DW

Wood - Jack Rosenthal Street, First Street, Manchester, M15 4RA

20 Stories - NO. 1 Spinningfields 1 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB

The Rabbit in the Moon -  Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG

Adam Reid at The French - Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS

Hispi - 1C School Ln, Manchester M20 6RD 

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Hawksmoor

Street Food Trader of the Year Award

Awarding one of the Greater Manchester-based street food legends that are gracing our kerbs with an ever-increasing plethora of gastro goods. 

Firebird Hope

Yadda Yadda 

Oh Mei Dumplings

Nasi Lemak

Wholesome Junkies

El Marchador Tacos

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Hip Hop Chip Shop 

Best Sustainability Award Sponsored by Sustainable Restaurant Association

Recognising commitment to environmental and ethical practices within Greater Manchester’s restaurant industry. Restaurants are asked to put themselves forward for this award via submission of a sustainability template form. To put your business forward for this award, please email George@foodanddrinkfestival.com

The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement

Recognising individuals who contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester over the last 21 Festivals. Anyone with suggestions for this category should email alexa@foodanddrinkfestival.com

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Joel Wilkinson and Adelaide Winters of Trof Group.