THE WINNERS of the 2016 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards were unveiled during a bash at The Palace Hotel Ballroom last night in front of 350 of the industry's best, brightest and most drunken.
Chef Terry Huang of sushi-cave Umezushi took the coveted 'Chef of the Year' award
Amongst the big winners were Hawksmoor, which followed last year's 'Newcomer of the Year' award with 'Restaurant of the Year', Blackjack Brewery's Smithfield Tavern, which deservedly took 'Pub of the Year', and Albert's Schloss, which topped off an unbelievable opening twelve months by scooping 'Bar of the Year'.
Elsewhere, King Street tapas bar and restaurant, El Gato Negro, pipped hipster favourites Rudy's and Evelyn's to 'Newcomer of the Year', whilst chef Terry Huang of sushi-cave Umezushi, riding high after a glowing review by Observer restaurant critic Jay Rayner, took the coveted 'Chef of the Year' award.
Charming local rugby lads, Mark Flanagan and Jon Wilkin, staved off the charge of Northern Quarter's beardy brigade to take 'Best Coffee or Tea Shop' with Pot Kettle Black, whilst further afield Ramsbottom's Levanter and the Eagle and Child took 'Best Neighbourhood Restaurant' and 'Best Food Pub' respectively.
Without giving it all away, here's the complete list of MFDF 2016 award winners...
(images by The Vain)
Restaurant of the Year
Aiming to recognise the very ‘best of the best’ dining establishments in Manchester in 2016.
THE WINNER: Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
Evelyn's Cafe Bar, G18, Smithfield Building, 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
Hawksmoor team
(NEW) Premium & Fine Dining Venue of the Year 2016
This new award for 2016 aims to recognise the best premium to fine dining establishments across the city. ‘Premium and fine dining’ are defined as those restaurants whose concept centre on a ‘higher end’ experience. Restaurants whose price point, service style and product quality mean that the overall concept is widely considered by customers as an ‘occasion’ restaurant.
THE WINNER: The French, The Midland, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
Manchester House, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
The French, 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
The French
(NEW) Casual Dining Venue of the Year 2016
This new award for 2016 aims to recognise the best casual dining establishments in Manchester. “Casual Dining” MFDF defined as those restaurants whose concept centre on a more informal experience. Restaurants whose price point & service style mean that the overall concept is widely considered by customers a more ‘every day’ restaurant.
THE WINNER: Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
THE SHORTLIST:
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
Volta team with puppet
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: El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
THE SHORTLIST:
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
Steve Bottomley and Simon Shaw of El Gato Negro
(NEW) Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year 2016
This new award aimed to recognise the superb establishments that are based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester – taking in anywhere from Didsbury to Wigan!
THE WINNER: Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
THE SHORTLIST:
Volta, 167 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LN
Sugo, 22 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU
Baraxturi, 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, M20 2LW
Levanter chef Joe Botham
Chef 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: Terry Huang, Umezushi
THE SHORTLIST:
Adam Reid, The French. 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
Umezushi
Pub of the Year
Identifying the finest pubs in the region, focusing on quality and range of ales/beers and atmosphere.
THE WINNER: The Smithfield Tavern, 37 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
THE SHORTLIST:
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, Left Bank, Irwell St, Manchester M3 3AN
Crown and Kettle, 2 Oldham Rd, Manchester M4 5FE
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: The March Arch
The Smithfield Tavern crew with Mike Joyce
Food 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.
THE WINNER: Eagle and Child, 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom BL0 0DL
THE SHORTLIST:
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
Eagle & Child
Bar of the Year
Recognising the best drinking venues in the region that aren’t considered ‘pubs’.
THE WINNER: Albert Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
THE SHORTLIST:
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, Cain and Grain. 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Ply
Albert's Schloss (and Gareth Gates?)
(NEW) Craft Ale Bar of the Year
This new award for 2016 recognises the best purveyors of craft ale across Greater Manchester.
THE WINNER: Heaton Hops, 7 School Ln, Stockport SK4 5DE
THE SHORTLIST:
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
Heaton Hops
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year
Recognising the best coffee bars and teashops in the region.
THE WINNER: Pot Kettle Black, 14, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW
THE SHORTLIST:
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
Unfortunately the PKB boys couldn't be there on the evening, so here's co-owner Mark 'Flash' Flanagan with no clothes on
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: Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, 10 Church St, Manchester M4 1PN
THE SHORTLIST:
Viet Shack, 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH
Honest Crust, 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
Northern Soul
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
To reflect the growing number and status of food and drink retailers in Greater Manchester, this year the MFDF panel shortlisted their own nominees, rather than leave it to the public vote in full as in previous years.
THE WINNER: Salvi’s, 22b, The Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR
THE SHORTLIST:
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, 19 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6FW / Corn Exchance, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: A Taste of Honey
Team Salvi's and Salford bard John Cooper Clarke
(NEW) Front of House Team of the Year 2016
Aiming to recognise the most outstanding front of house team in Manchester. MFDF looked 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.
THE WINNER: The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
THE SHORTLIST:
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
The French, 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
The French FOH team
Best Food and Drink Pop Up Event, Club or Project
Designed to recognize the ever more pioneering food and drink one off projects, events, activities and pop ups happening in the region.
THE WINNER: Stockport Foodie Friday
THE SHORTLIST
Not Just Soup
Real Junk Food Project
Grub
Sadlers Yard
Stockport Foodie Friday
The Buttery
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Altrincham Market
Stockport Foodie Friday gang
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 2016.
THE WINNER: Chaat Cart, B.Eat Street, Deansgate Mews, Great Northern Warehouse, Manchester M3 4EN
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Yakumama from Manchester.
Chaat Cart
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 19 years. There was no shortlist for this category but businesses and individuals nominated their peers.
THE WINNER: John Slattery from Slattery’s, Whitefield
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Mike and Maggie Noone from R. Noone and Sons, Stockport.
John Slattery of Slattery's
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