The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards celebrated the best in local dining. Eighteen winners were announced, showcasing the region’s vibrant food scene.
Manchester: The best spots for food and drink in Greater Manchester were celebrated at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. A total of 18 winners were recognized, including top restaurants, bars, and takeaways.
This event is a big deal in the northwest, honoring the local hospitality scene. The awards ceremony took place at New Century, a historic venue that has hosted legends like Jimi Hendrix.
For the 2024 edition, 136 venues were nominated. Categories included Restaurant of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. A panel of judges, along with public votes, helped decide the winners.
Over the years, the festival has attracted big names like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. While it usually happens in Cathedral Gardens, this year’s festival is on hold.
Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In won Best Restaurant for the second time. Meanwhile, Skof, a new spot in Manchester, took home the Newcomer award and Best Chef for Tom Barnes.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, the Awards Director, expressed excitement about the winners. She emphasized the importance of supporting local venues during tough times.
Here’s a quick look at some of the winners from the Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2024:
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year went to Nell’s Pizza, while Fat Pat’s won Takeaway of the Year. Another Heart to Feed was named Coffee Shop of the Year.
Lily’s Deli took home the Food and Drink Retailer of the Year award, and Honest Crust was recognized as Food Trader of the Year. Prestwich was named Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year.
Cloudwater Brew Co won Independent Drink Producer of the Year, and Great North Pie Co was named Independent Food Producer of the Year. Bar San Juan won Neighbourhood Venue of the Year.
Maray was awarded Plant-based Offering of the Year, and Love From won Pop-up or Project of the Year. Mulligans was named Pub or Beer Bar of the Year.
Schofield’s Bar took the Great Service Award, while Hawksmoor was recognized as Bar of the Year. Skof’s Tom Barnes was named Chef of the Year.
Finally, Where The Light Gets In won Restaurant of the Year, and Sam Buckley received the Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement.
