There were eighteen awards dished out this year, from best restaurant to best street food, best bar to best coffeeshop... but who won what?
THE winners of the 21st Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) Awards were unveiled during a bash inside the magnificent Gorton Monastery on Monday night, in front of 350 local restaurateurs, bar owners, hospitality professionals and industry folk.
The big winners on the night were Adam Reid at The French and The Creameries, who each picked up two awards. Although Reid’s restaurant at the Midland Hotel missed out on being awarded a Michelin star recently, they can console themselves with the MFDF awards for both ‘Restaurant of the Year and ‘Premium and Fine Dining’ restaurant.
The Creameries, which opened in Chorlton less than six months ago, scooped the award for ‘Best Newcomer’ as well as picking up the ‘Sustainability’ award for the work they do to eliminate restaurant waste.
Living Ventures CEO Jeremy Roberts was awarded 'Outstanding Achievement'
Joe Botham, owner of Levanter and Baraxturi had double reason to celebrate after Levanter was named 'Best Casual Dining' restaurant and Baraxturi’s head chef, Rachel Stockley, picked up 'Best Chef of the Year'.
Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In – a favourite with national food critics – followed last year’s 'Newcomer of the Year' award with the prize for ‘Best Out of Town Restaurant’.
Meanwhile, Living Ventures CEO Jeremy Roberts was awarded 'Outstanding Achievement' for his part, alongside the late Tim Bacon, in building the North West-based hospitality empire which includes brands like the Alchemist, Manchester House, Artisan, Gusto, Australasia and Grand Pacific.
See below for the full list of all eighteen Manchester Food and Drink Festival award winners:
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
WINNER: Adam Reid at The French
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
WINNER: Adam Reid at The French
Casual Restaurant of the Year - sponsored by Manchester Confidential
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
WINNER: Levanter
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
WINNER: The Creameries
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
WINNER: Rachel Stockley
Pub/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
WINNER: Port Street Beer House
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
WINNER: Science and Industry
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
WINNER: Where The Light Gets In
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
WINNER: Pot Kettle Black
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
WINNER: Mi and Pho
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
WINNER: Pollen Bakery
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
WINNER: Lily's
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
WINNER: Marble
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
WINNER: Hatch
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
WINNER: 20 Stories
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
WINNER: Oh Mei Dumplings
Best Sustainability Award Sponsored by Sustainable Restaurant Association
Recognising commitment to environmental and ethical practices within Greater Manchester’s restaurant industry.
Winner - The Creameries, Chorlton
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.
