THE WINNERS of the 2015 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards were announced during a bash within the porphyrous bosom of Manchester Cathedral last night.
Hawksmoor, The French and Volta amongst the night's big winners
Amongst the triumphant were The French, which bagged the coveted 'Restaurant of the Year' award, while new Northern Quarter pizza & beer outfit Ply took home 'Bar of the Year'.
Hawksmoor scooped the hotly contested 'Newcomer of the Year' award, while Manchester pub, The Marble Arch, picked up 'Pub of the Year'.
Further afield The Clarence in Bury took 'Food Pub of the Year', Lily's Veggie Indian kitchen in Ashton won the 'Cheap Eats' category, while the burgeoning Altrincham Market took the gong for 'Best Food and Drink Project or Event'
This year's 'Outstanding Achievement' award - won last year by Living Ventures chief Tim Bacon - went to Bredbury-based R. Noone & Son, a North West produce supplier for over four decades.
Without further ado, here's the complete list of MFDF 2015 award winners...
The French's Kamila Nkamchor accepts their awardRestaurant of the Year
Aiming to recognise the best dining establishments in Manchester in 2015. This category refers to venues visited primarily for a full dining experience featuring table service, alcohol license etc.
THE WINNER: The French - The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS.
THE SHORTLIST:
Volta - 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN
The French - The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Hawksmoor – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Iberica - 14-15 The Avenue Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF
Hearth of the Ram - 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0AA
Mughli - 30 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Lancashire M14 5TQ
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Manchester House
Newcomer of the Year
Recognising the best new food and drink operations to open in Greater Manchester since the last awards decision period.
THE WINNER: Hawksmoor – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Iberica - 14-15 The Avenue Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF
Salut Wines - 11 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW
Brassica - 27 Shaw Road, Heaton Moor, Manchester SK4 4AG
Lupo Caffè Italiano - 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF
Tariff & Dale - 2 Tariff Street, Manchester
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Manchester House
The Hawksmoor brigadeChef of the Year
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.
THE WINNER: Alex Shaw, Volta, Didsbury.
THE SHORTLIST:
Aiden Byrne, Manchester House, Spinningfields, Manchester.
Abdulla Naseem, Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom.
David Leong, Yuzu, China Town, Manchester.
Alex Shaw, Volta, Didsbury.
Mike Jennings, Grenache, Walkden.
David Gale, The Lawn Club, Spinniningfields, Manchester.
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Adam Reid, The French, The Midland Hotel.
Pub of the Year
Identifying the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
THE WINNER: The Marble Arch - 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
THE SHORTLIST:
Bakers Vaults - Market Place, Stockport SK1 1ES
The Baum - 33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 0NU
Wigan Central Bar - 1 Queen Street, Arch No. 1, Wigan WN3 4DY
The Marble Arch - 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
The Harewood Arms - 2 Market St, Broadbottom, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 6AX
The Clarence, 2 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EX
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: The Dockyard, MediaCityUK
The Marble ArchFood Pub of the Year
Acknowledging our region’s ‘gastro pubs’ - a chance for pubs to be recognized for what they’re doing in the kitchen, as a pub dining experience.
THE WINNER: The Clarence - 2 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EX
THE SHORTLIST:
The Marble Arch - 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
The Clarence - 2 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EX
The Parlour - 60 Beech Road, Manchester M21 9EG
Sam’s Chop House - Back Pool Fold, Manchester M2 1HN
Shoulder of Mutton - Holcombe Village, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 4LZ
The Angel, 6 Angel Street, Manchester, M4 4BQ
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Eagle and Child Ramsbottom
Bar of the Year
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’.
THE WINNER: Ply - 26 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1DW
THE SHORTLIST:
Volta - 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN
Hawksmoor - 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Wine & Wallop - 97 Lapwing Lane, Manchester M20 6UR
Salut Wines - 11 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW
Cane & Grain - 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA
Ply - 26 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1DW
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Manchester House
Northern Quarter's Ply scooped Best BarCoffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year
Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.
THE WINNER: Lupo Caffè Italiano - 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF
THE SHORTLIST:
Pot Kettle Black - 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW
Grindsmith - 231 - 233 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
North Tea Power - 36 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LA
Lupo Caffè Italiano - 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF
Fig & Sparrow – 20 Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JA
Tea Hive - 53 Manchester Rd, Chorlton Cum Hardy M21 9PW
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Richmond Tea Rooms, Manchester
Cheap Eats of the Year
Recognising the best venues that are visited for a high value, casual eating experience. Judges looking for venues that can offer a good meal for under a tenner!
THE WINNER: Lily’s - 75-83 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
THE SHORTLIST:
Crazy Pedro’s - 55–57 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BQ
Siam Smiles - 48A George Street, City Centre, Manchester M1 4HF
Filthy Cow - 10 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JB
Lily’s - 75-83 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
Jasmine - 569 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester M21 8AE
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn - 100-102 High Street, Manchester M4 1HP
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Viet Shack, Manchester Arndale
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
THE WINNER: A Taste of Honey, 138 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 1JQ
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Epicerie Ludo, Chorlton
Alty Market won 'Best Food & Drink Event'Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project of the Year
THE WINNER: Altrincham Market
THE SHORTLIST:
Shebeen
Levenshulme Market
Blackjack Brewtap
Altrincham Market
Moss Cider Project
Real Junk Food Project
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: B.Eat Street Manchester
Best Street Food of the Year
The Festival also recognised one of the street food legends that are gracing our kerbs with an ever-increasing plethora of gastro goods. A judging event for this award took place at the Festival Hub during MFDF 2015.
THE WINNER: Yakumama from Manchester
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Mei Mei’s Street Cart
MFDF Award for Manchester’s Best Vegetarian Offer
The Festival, in association with cultural website, Louder Than War, decided that it was time to resurrect the award for best offering for vegetarians in a restaurant, in the city where the vegetarian movement all began.
THE WINNER: Lotus Restaurant, 536 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BY.
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 over the last 16 years. There was no shortlist for this category but businesses and individuals nominated their peers.
THE WINNER: Mike and Maggie Noone from R. Noone and Sons, Stockport.
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Tim Bacon, Living Ventures
Chef Andrew Nutter presents Mike & Maggie Noone with their Outstanding Achievement award
