Manchester Food and Drink Festival announces awards shortlist
The nominations for this year's Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have been announced, with a shortlist of the city's best and brightest in everything from street food and cheap eats to premium and fine dining venues.
Scroll down to see who's up for the awards, and check out our personal favourites from each category.
[Photo: Bundobust by Giles Smith]
Restaurant of the Year
Adam Reid at The French Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
The Rabbit in the 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
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Sugo 22 Shaws Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU
Last year's winner: Hawksmoor
The Skinny favourite? Where the Light Gets in, which has fast become one of Greater Manchester's most exciting and well-received restaurants, with restaurant critic Marina O'Loughlin even claiming she'd "cross continents" for it.
Premium and Fine Dining Venue of the Year
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
El Gato Negro 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
Last year's winner: The French
The Skinny favourite? Again, we're going with Where the Light Gets in, thanks to the fact that the premium dining experience here is set within such a beautiful, approached and relaxed setting.
[Photo: Rudy's]
Casual Restaurant of the Year
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Rudy’s 9 Cotton St, Manchester, M4 5BF
Sugo 22 Shaws Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU
Baraxturi 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AT
Porta 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT
Hispi 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Last year's winner: Volta
The Skinny favourite? Hispi, the smart but friendly neighbourhood bistro that we've needed for some time, worth shouting about for that custard tart alone. Believe the hype.
Newcomer of the Year
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Where the Light Gets in 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
Hispi 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Refuge Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA
Porta 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT
The Rabbit in the Moon Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG
Last year's winner: El Gato Negro
The Skinny favourite? Bundo, OBVS. Being long-time fans of the original gaff in Leeds, we were extremely excited to get our own in Manchester – and having now been approximately a gazillion times since opening, it's safe to say we haven't been disappointed.
[Photo: Hispi]
Chef of the Year
Adam Reid, The French Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Sam Buckley, Where the Light Gets in - 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
Luke Cockerill, The Rabbit in the Moon - Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, City Centre, Manchester, M4 3BG
Matt Nutter, The Allotment - 6 Vernon St, Stockport, SK1 1TY
Richard Sharples, Hispi 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Aiden Byrne, Manchester House 18 – 22 Bridge Street, Spiningfields, Manchester, M33BZ
Last year's winner: Terry Huang, Umezushi
The Skinny favourite? It'd be a toss-up between Sam Buckley and Richard Sharples: both doing entirely different things, but both doing a brilliant job in drawing the crowds out of Manchester's city centre.
Pub of The Year
Blue Bell 170 Barlow Road, Manchester Levenshulme, M19 3HF
Mounting Stone 8 Woodford Road, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 2JJ
Samuel Oldknow 22 Market Street Marple, SK6 7AD
The Magnet 51 Wellington Road, Stockport, SK4 1HJ
Marble Arch 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester, M4 4HY
The Parlour 60 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum- Hardy, Manchester, M21 9EG
Last year's winner: The Smithfield Tavern
The Skinny favourite? Marble Arch – an oldie, but always a goodie.
Food Pub of the Year
White Hart 51 Stockport Road, Lydgate, Oldham, OL4 4JJ
Bird at Birtle 239 Bury And Rochdale Old Rd, Birtle, OL10 4BQ
Marble Arch 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester, M4 4HY
Hearth of the Ram Ramsbottom - 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, BLO OAA
Odd Fellows Moor End Road, Mellor, Cheshire, SK6 5PT
Clarence 2 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EX
Last year's winner: Eagle and Child
The Skinny favourite? It takes a lot to tear us away from the comforts of our traditional, cheap locals, but The White Hart proves just how good things can get outside of your comfort zone.
[Photo: Science and Industry]
Bar of the Year
Refuge Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA
Cottonopolis 16 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 2AE
Science and Industry 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA
Common 39-41 Edge St. Northern Quarter, Manchester, M41HW
Henry C 107 Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9GA
Salut 11 Cooper St, Manchester, M2 2FW
Last year's winner: Albert's Schloss
The Skinny favourite? Without doubt Henry C. Relatively new to the Chorlton scene, but by far one of the area's most accomplished joints. Also home to the best daquiris we've had (and we've had a fair few).
Craft Ale Bar of the Year
Café Beermoth Brown Street, Manchester, M21DA - 70 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LG
The Pilcrow Sadler's Yard, Hanover Street, M60 0AB
Cloudwater Barrel Store Arch 13, Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND
Boc Biere Café 10 Tib Ln, Manchester, M2 4JB
Port Street Beer House 39-41 Port St, Manchester, M1 2EQ
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Last year's winner: Heaton Hops
The Skinny favourite? Easily The Pilcrow, where you'll find us most weekends, working our way through the handy colour-coded beer list.
Best Out of Town Venue of the Year
Hispi 1C School Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RD
Where the Light Gets in 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport, SK1 1JY
The Allotment Vegan Restaurant 6 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY
Sugo 22 Shaws Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1QU
Porta 50 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, CH1 2HT
Baraxturi 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, BL0 9AT
Last year's winner: Levanter
The Skinny favourite? Hispi, for being the neighbourhood bistro that you'll travel to someone else's neighbourhood for.
[Photo: Trove]
Coffee Shop/Tea Shop of The Year
Another Heart to Feed 77-79 Chapel Street, Manchester, M3 5BZ
Ancoats Coffee Unit 9, Royal Mills, 17 Redhill Street, Ancoats, M4 5BA
Trove 1032 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3WX
Idle Hands 32-34 Dale Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1FY
Lupo Caffe Italiano 6af, 142 Chapel St, Salford, M3 6AF
Takk 6 Tariff St, Manchester, M1 2FF
Last year's winner: Pot Kettle Black
The Skinny favourite? Intriguing newcomer, Another Heart to Feed, whose coffees have saved us on many a hungover crawl to work.
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Lupo Caffe Italiano 142 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 6AF
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
Rudy's 9 Cotton St, Manchester, M4 5BF
Pasta Factory 77 Shudehill, Manchester, M4 4AN
Seoul Kimchi 275 Upper Brook Street, Manchester, M13 0HR
Fusion Lab Manchester Arndale Market, M4 3AH
Last year's winner: Northern Soul Grilled Cheese
The Skinny favourite? We're always banging on about Rudy's, and we're going to do it again by raving about the fact you can get a giant pizza for around £8. Plus Campari Sodas served with a free bowl of crisps make a great aperitif for just over three quid.
Best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
Pollen 2 Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND
Reserve 176 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 1LH
Lunya Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BB
Easy Fish Co 117 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
Ancoats General Store 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AB
Epicerie Ludo 46 Beech Road, Manchester, M21 9EG
Last year's winner: Salvi’s
The Skinny favourite? Pollen, for getting us through our packaging-free week with some of the best bread we've ever had. They don't get queues down the road for no reason.
[Photo: Bundobust]
Best Vegetarian Offering of the Year
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ
The Allotment 6 Vernon Street, Stockport, SK1 1TY
V Rev 20-26 Edge St, Manchester, M4 1HN
Indian Tiffin Room First Street, 4RL, 1 First St, Manchester, M15
Manchester House 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester, M3 3BZ
Sanskruti 95 Mauldeth Rd, Manchester, M14 6SR
The Skinny favourite? The Allotment, for proving that vegan food deserves to be refined and exciting, and, along with others like Where the Light Gets in, helping Stockport become a food and drink destination in its own right.
Manchester Brewery of The Year
Cloudwater Units 7-8, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester, M1 2NP
Blackjack 36 Gould Street, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4RN
Runaway Unit 4 Millgate, Dantzic Street, Manchester, M4 4JW
Chorlton Brewing Company 69 North Western Street, Manchester, M12
Marble 41 Williamson St, Manchester M4 4JS
Track 5 Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND
The Skinny favourite? Track, for always bring our go-to brewery behind the pumps, and for throwing some great, laid-back brewtaps at their HQ from time to time.
[Photo: Indy Man Beer Con by Gary Brown]
Best Pop Up, Event or Project of the Year
GRUB
Not Just Soup
Real Junk Food
Scrancoats
Indy Man Beer Con
Makers Market
Last year's winner: Stockport Foodie Friday
The Skinny favourite? Not Just Soup, for helping Manchester restaurants come together to help the homeless.
Front of House Team of the Year
Hawksmoor 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB
Umezushi Unit 4, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ
Piccolino Clarence Street, Manchester, M2 4DW
Albert's Schloss 27 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR
Tattu Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB
Iberica 14-15 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF
Last year's winner: The French
The Skinny favourite? We've never had a bad experience at Umezushi, and that's in no small part thanks to its incredible front of house staff, who make customers feel welcome in their tiny restaurant.
Best Street Food Award
[Photo: Hip Hop Chip Shop]
Hip Hop Chip Shop
Holy Crab
Otto Men
Dim Sum Su
Blue Caribou
Oh My Glaze
Last year's winner: Chaat Cart
The Skinny favourite? Holy Crab, for trailblazing a truly refreshing new direction in street food, and making oysters both accessible and friggin' tasty.
Best Sustainable Food & Drink Business
Recognising commitment to environmental and ethical practices within Greater Manchester’s food and drink industry. Food and drink businesses are asked to put themselves forward for this award via submission of a sustainability template form. To nominate your restaurant for this award, email george@foodanddrinkfestival.com.
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 20 festivals. Anyone with suggestions for this category should email alexa@foodanddrinkfestival.com.
Last year's winner: John Slattery, Slattery’s
Manchester Food and Drink Festival takes place from 28 Sep to 9 Oct 2017; for more information head to foodanddrinkfestival.com.