Manchester’s best restaurants, pubs, bars and food producers have been revealed at the annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards.
Ancoats nailed it, with Erst being named Best Restaurant in the city, while Shaun Moffat of the Edinburgh Castle was crowned Best Chef.
The ceremony was held at New Century, with more than 350 members of Manchester’s hospitality industry in attendance.
Elsewhere, Stretford Canteen won Neighbourhood Venue of the Year and Higher Ground Newcomer of the Year. just a day after being awarded the Bib Gourmand by Michelin.
The legendary Marble Arch won Pub of the Year, Schofields won Bar of the Year, while Hawksmoor won the Great Service Award.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement then went to James Campbell, founder of the Sureshot Brewery, and one of Manchester’s craft brewing scene’s key figures.
The shortlisted venues were put to the public vote via the MFDF website, where thousands of food and drink fans voted for their hospitality heroes.
The public votes, for some of the awards, were then combined with ‘mystery shopper’ visits from members of the awards judging panel, whilst others were decided entirely by the public vote.
“We’re delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 MFDF Awards,” said Alexa Stratton-Powell, Festival Director.
“Times are more challenging than ever for the hospitality industry, which has made it all the more important to champion our fantastic nominees and winners tonight. Shining a light on the city’s incredible independent restaurants, bars, cafes and everything in between is what the awards are all about and we’ve loved bringing everyone together to celebrate.
“We’d like to thank the MFDF judges and presenters, the sponsors of the awards, everyone who voted and New Century for hosting a night to remember.”
Here are the results in full:
Plant Based Offering of the Year
WINNER:
BUNDOBUST
Takeaway of the Year
WINNER:
BURGERISM
Independent Drinks Producer of the Year
WINNER
TRACK BREWING CO
Independent Food Producer of the Year sponsored by Capital & Centric
WINNER:
POLLEN BAKERY
Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year sponsored by Manchester’s Finest
WINNER:
STOCKPORT
Coffee Shop of the Year
WINNER:
GRAPEFRUIT COFFEE
Food Trader of the Year
WINNER:
FAT PAT’S
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
WINNER:
ORNELLA’S KITCHEN
Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
WINNER:
CORK OF THE NORTH
Pop Up or Project of the year
WINNER:
PLATT FIELDS MARKET GARDEN
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year sponsored by Sagres
WINNER:
THE MARBLE ARCH
Bar of the Year
WINNER:
SCHOFIELD’S BAR
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
WINNER:
STRETFORD CANTEEN
Great Service Award sponsored by Boutinot
WINNER:
HAWKSMOOR
Newcomer of the year sponsored by Bruntwood
WINNER:
HIGHER GROUND
Chef of the Year sponsored by Manchester Evening News
WINNER:
SHAUN MOFFAT, THE EDINBURGH CASTLE
Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Stephenson’s
WINNER:
ERST
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
JAMES CAMPBELL, SURESHOT BREWERY
