Manchester Food and Drink Festival has confirmed that its annual awards ceremony will be making a return early next year.
A brand-new honour for ‘Takeaway of the Year’ is among the accolades set to be handed out to the most talented businesses in Greater Manchester‘s thriving hospitality industry, as MFDF’s prestigious Awards makes a grand return at a new venue in January 2024.
With Manchester‘s iconic New Century chosen as the ceremony’s new home, and the date of Monday 29 January 2024 now confirmed and in the diary, award nominations are now officially live.
As mentioned, the Awards will recognise businesses in 18 categories – with ‘Affordable Eats Venue of the Year’, ‘Neighbourhood Venue of the Year’, ‘Food and Drink Retailer of the Year’, and ‘Restaurant of the Year’ being some of the heavy-hitters every year.
Other highly-regarded categories include awards for the best bar, chef, pub, coffee shop, and independent food and drink venues across the region.
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Manchester Food and Drink Awards confirms 2024 return and opens nominations / Credit: MFDF (via Instagram)
Businesses are now being invited to submit nominations and put themselves forward to be considered in each of the categories, with the award nomination and judging period running right from July 2022 – which is when last year’s nominees were announced – to 6 September, which is when the self-nomination period closes.
All applications are to be reviewed by the prestigious MFDF judging panel made up of Manchester hospitality experts, and the final awards shortlists is set to be unveiled on 11 September.
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MFDF says the awards are “intended to highlight as many excellent food and drink businesses and talented hospitality professionals as possible”, with the winners decided via a combination of public vote and mystery shopping from the judging panel.
The prestigious ceremony will take place in the new home of New Century early next year / Credit: MFDF (via Instagram)
Speaking as nominations go live, MFDF’s Director Alexa Stratton Powell said: “We are pleased to announce that the awards will be taking place at a new time of year.
“This decision was made after careful consideration around best timing for the hospitality sector [as] separating the Awards from the Festival event itself allows us to focus on each in greater depth [and] we’re really looking forward to this year’s process and ceremony after another amazing year for Manchester’s hospitality scene.
Inside One Eight Six as Manchester cocktail bar finally reopens two years after devastating New Year’s Eve fire
Daisy Jackson
One Eight Six, the Manchester cocktail bar that was destroyed in a blaze on New Year’s Eve, is finally ready to reopen.
The stunning subterranean bar and live music venue has been closed since the very early hours of 2022, when a fire broke out shortly after the midnight countdown.
Terrifying CCTV footage at the time showed balloons across the ceiling catching fire and around 170 people fleeing the blaze.
It’s since been confirmed that the cause of the fire was real pine Christmas trees that were fastened to the ceiling, set alight by celebratory sparklers inside the bar.
Ever since that fateful night, One Eight Six has been quiet – until now.
The popular Deansgate bar is finally ready to quite literally rise from the ashes, having undergone an extensive refurbishment.
Its interior was completely destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire, but has been reborn better than ever before.
Customers will again enter the bar through a barbershop at street level, with in incredible twisting neon light feature hanging from the ceiling.
The stage is set for more late-night live music at One Eight Six in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupCustomers enter One Eight six through a barbershop on Deansgate. Credit: The Manc GroupOne Eight Six’s original interior was destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire. Credit: The Manc Group
Then after heading down the stairs you’ll find yourself in an art deco speakeasy, with the stage set for live music until the early hours.
Huge curved velvet booths in shades of pink and red will provide guests with a luxurious night out setting.
One Eight Six has installed opulent black marble floors and glowing light arches too – not to mention a giant ‘One Eight Six’ sign in mirrors.
Walls and pillars have been covered in even more mirrors to reflect the huge mirror ball and stage lights.
Founder Dean Mac said: “After nearly two years, we are finally allowed to be back on our feet giving the people of Manchester what they have been waiting so patiently for.
“Thank you again for sticking with us and supporting our journey this far. This new chapter of ONE EIGHT SIX will be better than ever. Same vibe. Same location. Just a whole lot sexier…”
It’s all looking pretty luxurious – just like before.
One Eight Six will officially open its doors this weekend on Deansgate, with bookings live here.
Namaste Nepal – West Didsbury favourite reveals new look and even more phenomenal curry
Daisy Jackson
Namaste Nepal, one of the best restaurants in West Didsbury – if not all of south Manchester – has undergone a big refurbishment, with new menu dishes to boot.
The family-run business has become a local institution over the last 15 or so years, famed for its comforting, authentic Nepalese food.
For the first time since it opened, Namaste Nepal has had a full-scale cosmetic transformation to become a modern – but still cosy and welcoming – neighbourhood restaurant.
You’ll now find green suede, gold, and marble, in amongst the Nepalese artefacts on the shelves.
Namaste Nepal is known for its menu of curries and street food which takes influences from India and China.
One of its hero dishes is its handmade Momocha dumplings, which are stuffed with lamb mince and topped with a classic peppery, spicy sauce.
There are platters of mixed shashlik, the meat slow-cooked in the tandoor oven; fiery traditional Chwela; and Kantipur Methi, where Tandoori chicken and minced lamb are mixed together.
Curries range from the mouth-numbingly spicy (looking at you, vegetable naaga) to a crowd-pleasing Makhan Chara (aka butter chicken).
There’s plenty to keep vegetarians well-fed, from saag paneer to aloo gobi.
Namaste Nepal has been spicing up our lives since 2005 and is well and truly standing the test of time.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2023 
