NEWCOMERS El Gato Negro, Albert’s Schloss and Café Beermoth are amongst those nominated for this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) Awards - the region's most prestigious food and drink accolades.

There are seventeen categories this year, including five new awards 

The annual MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards - to be held on Monday 10 October - will be the culmination of twelve days of foodie events across the city, from hidden banquets to beer festivals and, of course, Albert Square's ever-popular Festival Hub.

READ: 10 Unmissable MFDF 2016 Events

There are seventeen categories this year, including five new awards such as 'Premium & Fine Dining Venue of the Year' and 'Craft Ale Bar of the Year'. The below establishments have been chosen by the MFDF judging panel consisting of some of the region's leading food and drink critics, experts and writers, including Confidential's Neil Sowerby, Ruth Allan and Deanna Thomas.

Award nominations will be posted on the MFDF website, where they’ll face the public vote, which will then be combined with scores from the judging panel obtained via mystery shop visits.

And the nominations are...

Restaurant of the Year 2016 sponsored by Caterer.com

Recognising the ‘best of the best’ dining establishments in Greater Manchester in 2016. This category can feature restaurants of any style or price point.

  • Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
  • El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
  • Evelyn’s, G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB
  • Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
  • Sugo, 22 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
  • Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: THE FRENCH

Premium & Fine Dining Venue of the Year 2016 sponsored by Bookatable

This new award for 2016 aims to recognise the best premium to fine dining establishments across the city.

  • Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
  • Manchester House, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
  • The French by Simon Rogan, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
  • El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
  • Australasia, 1 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3AP
  • Iberica, 14-15 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3HF
HawksmoorHawksmoor

Casual Restaurant of the Year 2016

This new award for 2016 aims to recognize the best informal dining establishments in Manchester.. 

  • Evelyn’s, G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB
  • Sugo, 22 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
  • Indian Tiffin Room, Chapel St, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1BR / ‪2 Isabelle Banks Street, First Street, Manchester M15 4RL
  • Rudy’s Pizza, 9 Cotton St, Manchester M4 5BF
  • Salvi’s, 19 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6FW / Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR
  • Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN

Newcomer of the Year 2016 sponsored by Manchester Evening News

Recognising the best new food and drink operations to open in Greater Manchester since the last awards decision period (12th July 2015).

  • Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
  • Rudy’s Pizza, 9 Cotton St, Manchester M4 5BF
  • El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
  • Sugo, 22 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
  • Indian Tiffin Room, 2 Isabelle Banks Street, First Street, Manchester M15 4RL
  • Evelyn’s, G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: HAWKSMOOR

.Albert's Schloss

Chef of the Year 2016 sponsored by City Card Manchester

Aiming to recognise 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 by Simon Rogan. The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
  • Simon Shaw, El Gato Negro. 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
  • Aiden Byrne, Manchester House. 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
  • Joe Botham, Levanter. 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
  • Terry Huang, Umezushi. 4 Mirabel St, Manchester M3 1PJ
  • Byron Moses, Evelyn’s. G18 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: ALEX SHAW, VOLTA

Pub of the Year 2016 sponsored by Marston’s

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

  • Smithfield, 37 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
  • Magnet, 51 Wellington Rd N, Stockport SK4 1HJ
  • Baker’s Vault, Market Pl, Stockport SK1 1ES
  • The Eagle, 19 Collier Street, Greengate, Salford M3 7DW
  • Dock Yard, B3/4, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2EQ
  • Crown and Kettle, 2 Oldham Rd, Manchester M4 5FE

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: THE MARBLE ARCH

DockyardDockyard

Food Pub of the Year 2016

Recognising our region’s ‘gastro pubs’  - a chance for ‘pub restaurants’ to be recognised in their own category.

  • White Hart, 51 Stockport Rd, Lydgate, Saddleworth OL4 4JJ
  • The Marble Arch, 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY
  • Hearth of the Ram, 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, BL0 0AA
  • Eagle and Child, 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom BL0 0DL
  • The Parlour, 60 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EG
  • Oddfellows, Moor End Rd, Mellor, SK6 5PT

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: THE CLARENCE

Bar of the Year 2016 sponsored by Fever Tree

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

  • Albert Schloss, 9 Cotton St, Manchester M4 5BF
  • Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
  • Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
  • Tariff and Dale, 2 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FN
  • Black Cat at El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
  • The First Floor Bar, Cane and Grain. 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA#

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: PLY

Cane & GrainCane & Grain

Craft Ale Bar of the Year 2016

This new award for 2016 will recognise the best purveyors of craft ale across Greater Manchester.

  • Café Beermoth, Brown St, Manchester M2 1DA
  • Heaton Hops, 7 School Ln, Stockport SK4 5DE
  • Beagle, 458 Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester M21 0BQ
  • Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port St, Manchester M1 2EQ
  • Font, Chorlton. 115-117 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9PG
  • Saison, 115-117 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9PG

Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year 2016

Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.

  • Trove, 1032 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WX
  • Pot Kettle Black, 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW
  • Grindsmith, 231-233 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
  • Takk, 6 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
  • Ezra and Gill, 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR
  • Fig and Sparrow, 20 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JA

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: LUPO CAFFE ITALIANO

GrindsmithGrindsmith

Cheap Eats Venue Of The Year 2016

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.

  • Viet Shack, Arndale Market, 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH
  • Honest Crust, Altrincham Market, 26 Market St, Altrincham WA14 1SA
  • Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, 10 Church St, Manchester M4 1PN
  • Chaat Cart, The Kitchens, Leftbank, Irwell St, Manchester M3 3AG
  • Siam Smiles, 48A George St, City Centre, Manchester M1 4HF
  • Lupo Caffe Italiano, 6af, 142 Chapel St, Salford M3 6AF

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: LILY’S

Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year 2016

This new award is set to recognise the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester! This can take in anywhere from Didsbury to Wigan!

  • Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
  • Sugo, 22 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
  • Baratxuri, 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
  • Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
  • Brassica, 27 Shaw Rd, Stockport SK4 4AG
  • Rose Garden, 218 Burton Rd, Manchester, Lancashire M20 2LW
VoltaVolta

Front of House Team of the Year 2016.

This new 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 leaving.

  • Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
  • The French by Simon Rogan, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
  • Iberica, 14-15 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3HF
  • Manchester House, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
  • Fazenda, 1 The Avenue, Manchester M3 3AP
  • Asha’s, 47 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NG

Best Food and Drink Retailer 2016

To reflect the growing number and status of food and drink retailers in Greater Manchester, this year the MFDF panel have shortlisted their own nominees, rather than leave it to the public vote in full as in previous years.

  • Lunya, 7 Barton Square, Manchester M3 2BB
  • Trove, 1032 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WX
  • Out of the Blue, 484 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester, M21 9AS
  • Altrincham Market, Greenwood St, Altrincham WA14 1SA
  • Reserve Wines, 176 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 1LH
  • Salvi’s, Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: A TASTE OF HONEY

Altrincham MarketAltrincham Market

Best Food and Drink Pop Up, Event, Club or Project

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

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: ALTRINCHAM MARKET

Best Street Food

Awarding one of the Greater Manchester-based street food legends that are gracing our kerbs with an ever increasing plethora of gastro goods. To be eligible for this category traders must own a street food operation that has been trading for at least 6 months at the time of entry. A judging event for this award will take place at the Festival Hub during MFDF 2016. To get involved traders should email

heidi@foodanddrinkfestival.com.

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: YAKUMAMA

The Howard and Ruth Award For Outstanding Achievement

Recognising someone who contributed something outstanding to the food and drink industry in Greater Manchester over the last 19  years. Anyone with suggestions for this category should email alexa@foodanddrinkfestival.com

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: TIM BACON, LIVING VENTURES

 

The MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony takes place on 10 October foodanddrinkfestival.com

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