Manchester Food and Drink Festival awards announced

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival award winners were announced at an award ceremony, hosted by Northern charmers The Hairy Bikers.

Si King and Dave Myers, otherwise known as the Hairy Bikers, said of the evening: “We dusted down the dinner suits and what a great night we had. It is wonderful to realise what a wealth of food treasure we have in the North West. The food festival has been one of the best - we can’t wait for next year! Good on yer Manchester!” 

Phil Jones, executive director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, said: “We have all had an amazing time at the Gala Dinner, which marks the end of this 12 day celebration of food and drink, and I would like to thank everyone who helped make this evening happen.”

Siobhan Hanley, director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, added, “Once again, it was extremely difficult for the judging panel to decide the award winners as there are such a high quality of restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs in our city.

“Despite there being a recession in the country, we were astounded by the level of entries for the Best Newcomer Award, and wish them all the best. Manchester has a proud history of food and drink and we look forward more establishments opening over the next year.”

The twelfth Manchester Food and Drink Festival has been a huge success and has seen a number of new concepts, including a Wine Festival at Urbis, a Whisky Festival at MOSI, and an Oktoberfest in Albert Square.

Returning this year were chef demonstrations in St Ann’s Square and the second Greater Manchester Real Ale Festival in Albert Square, which was teamed up with Holland’s Pies on Saturday, October 10 to create a brilliant Pie and Ale Day.

Picking up awards were:

Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet

Barbakan Delicatessen, Chorlton

Best Wine List

Gaucho Manchester

Best Coffee Bar/ Casual Dining

Folk Café Bar, West Didsbury

MFDF Award for Healthy and Sustainable Eating sponsored by Food Futures

Gabriel’s Kitchen, Manchester

Best Family Friendly Venue

Dough Pizza Kitchen

Best Pub

Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester

Best Bar

Apotheca, Manchester

Best Newcomer

Damson, Heaton Moor

Restaurant of the Year

The Modern, Manchester

Chef of The Year

Ian Matfin, Abode Manchester

Outstanding Achievement Award

George Bergier, head sommelier at Sam’s and Tom’s Chophouses, Manchester

Investment in Skills Awards

•           Professional Bartender Of The Year

Tom Lloyd, Obsidian

•           Manchester Young Chef Of The Year

Michael Tate, Harvey Nichols

•           Manchester Young Waiter Of The Year

Matthew Dutson, River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel

Love Food Hate Waste Award

Mason Arms, Atherton

Producer of the Year Award, judged by Clarissa Dickson Wright

Mrs Kirkham’s Cheese

MFDF Cheese Challenge Winner

Garstang Blue by Dewlay Cheesemakers 

Best Beer Brewed in Manchester, judged by panel at the Greater Manchester Real Ale Festival

Dobber by Marble Brewer