Eats

Nominations announced for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2021 awards

113 businesses in Greater Manchester have been nominated, and you can vote for your favourite.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 18th August 2021

The list of nominations at this year’s Manchester Food & Drink Festival (MFDF) awards have been announced today.

The annual Manchester Food & Drink Festival celebrates and recognises the region’s local restaurant and bar scene, with more than 100 businesses from all four corners of Greater Manchester having been nominated for a series of accolades at this year’s awards.

Shortlist have been drawn up for 15 awards, with some new categories having also been added this year to reflect what’s been another extraordinary year for the hospitality industry.

Renowned food and drink critics and writers make up the MFDF judging panel.

Foodies are encouraged to vote for their favourites on the MFDF website and app before the deadline closes, with the winners being crowned at the MFDF Awards gala dinner at Escape to Freight Island on 27 September.

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Speaking on release of the award nominations today, Alexa Stratton-Powell – Director of MFDF – said: “This festival was set up to celebrate the city’s food and drink scene, particularly to support and champion local and independent businesses and talented individuals across the entire hospitality industry [and] now, that manifesto is more crucial than ever as we find ourselves in uncharted territory and the most challenging of times.”

Credit: Manchester Food & Drink Festival

She continued: “The Festival is about supporting the recovery of our industry – and we’re proud to use that platform to shout about these incredible businesses who have not only survived but thrived.

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“Please do get involved and vote for your favourite places via the MFDF app and use the Festival as an excuse to visit and try these places for yourself.”

So, who’s received coveted nominations at this year’s awards then?

Here’s everything you need to know.

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Restaurant of the Year

  • Adam Reid at The French – 16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
  • Baratxuri – 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
  • Erst – 9 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
  • Hawksmoor – 184, 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
  • Mana – 42 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF
  • Sparrows – 16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
  • Street Urchin – 72 Great Ancoats St, Manchester M4 5BG
  • Where The Light Gets In – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport SK1 1JY

Newcomer of the Year

Sponsored by the Manchester Evening News

  • District – 60 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
  • Open Kitchen MCR – People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER
  • Osma – 132 Bury New Rd, Prestwich, Manchester M25 0AA
  • Pho Cue – 52a Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4FH
  • Ramona – 40 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JG
  • Schofield’s Bar – 3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester M3 3JZ
  • Society Basement – 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD
  • The Moor – 27 Shaw Rd, Stockport SK4 4A
Credit: Instagram (@restaurantmana) | Facebook (Erst)

Bar of the Year

  • Albert’s Schloss – 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
  • Henry C – 107 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9GA
  • Kiosk – Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UT
  • Schofield’s Bar – 3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester M3 3JZ
  • Speak in Code – 7 Jackson’s Row, Manchester M2 5ND
  • The Blues Kitchen – 13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN
  • The Jane Eyre – Ancoats, 14 Hood St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6WX
  • Three Little Words – 12-13 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP

Chef of the Year

  • Adam Reid (The French) – 16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
  • Eddie Shepherd (The Walled Garden) – The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG
  • Mary-Ellen McTague (The Creameries) – 406 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M21 0SD
  • Patrick Withington (Erst) – 9 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
  • Rachel Stockley (Baratxuri) – 1 Smithy St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
  • Sam Buckley (WTLGI) – 7 Rostron Brow, Stockport SK1 1JY
  • Simon Martin (Mana) – 42 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF
  • Terry Huang (Umezushi Omkase) – Unit 4 Mirabel St, Manchester M3 1PJ

Pub / Beer Bar of the Year

  • Beatnikz Republic – 35 Dale St, Manchester M1 2HF
  • Cob and Coal – Tommyfield Market Hall, Albion St, Oldham OL1 3BG
  • Edinburgh Castle – 17-19 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AW
  • Heaton Hops – 7 School Ln, Stockport SK4 5DE
  • Nordie – 1044 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WX
  • Reasons To Be Cheerful – 228 Fog Ln, Manchester M20 6EL
  • Society, Basement – 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD
  • Stalybridge Buffet Bar – Platform 4, Stalybridge Railway Station, Stalybridge SK15 1RF
Credit: Escape to Freight Island

Artisan Food Producer of the Year

  • Bread Flower – www.breadflower.co.uk
  • Companio Bakery – 35 Radium St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AD
  • Gooey – Ducie Street Warehouse, Manchester M1 2TP
  • Holy Grain Sourdough – 253 Deansgate Great Northern Mews, Manchester M3 4EN
  • Just Natas – Manchester Arndale, Manchester M4 3AD
  • Lily’s Deli – 102 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9SZ
  • Manchester Smokehouse – 18 Lloyd St, Manchester M2 5WA
  • Pollen Bakery – Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester M4 6FQ

Pop Up / Project of the Year

  • Eat Well MCR – https://www.eatwellmcr.org/
  • Escape to Freight Island – 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
  • Grub – 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
  • Homeground – Medlock St, Manchester M15 4AA
  • Kampus Summer Guest Events – Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3DA
  • Platt Fields Market – Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LT
  • One Central – Charis House, 1 Central Way, Altrincham WA14 1SB
  • MIF Festival Kitchen Takeovers – https://mif.co.uk/

Neighbourhood Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Roomzzz Aparthotels

  • Bar San Juan – 56 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG
  • Levanter – 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9BE
  • Erst – 9 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
  • Fisherman’s Table – 103 Church Ln, Marple, Stockport SK6 7AR
  • Lily’s – 85 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
  • Porta – Salford, 216 Chapel St, Salford M3 6BY
  • Oystercatcher – 123 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PG
  • Stretford Foodhall – 123 Manchester Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PG
Credit: Stretford Food Hall

Food Trader of the Year

  • Abeja – Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
  • Archchi’s – https://www.archchis.com/
  • Gooey – Ducie Street Warehouse, Manchester M1 2TP
  • Honest Crust – https://www.honestcrustsourdoughpizza.com
  • Maison Breizh – https://www.maisonbreizh.co.uk
  • Pico’s Tacos – https://www.instagram.com/eatpicos/?hl=en
  • Tender Cow – https://www.tendercow.uk
  • Wholesome Junkies – 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH

Affordable Eats of the Year

Sponsored by Just Eat

  • Abeja – Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
  • Chapati Café – 496B Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AS
  • Ca Phe Viet – 80-86 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Greater, Manchester M4 5EB
  • Little Yeti – 495 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 8AG
  • Lily’s – 85 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
  • Mi and Pho – 384 Palatine Rd, Northenden, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 4F
  • Platt Fields Market Garden – Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LT
  • Rudy’s Pizza – 9 Cotton St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BF / Petersfield House, Peter St, Manchester M2 5QJ

Coffee Shop of the Year

  • Another Heart to Feed – Northern Quarter, 10 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1JF
  • Ancoats Coffee – 9, Royal Mill, 17 Redhill St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BA
  • Ezra & Gil – 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR
  • Federal – Northern Quarter, 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester M4 1EY
  • Grindsmith – 62 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BW
  • Grapefruit – 2 School Rd, Sale M33 7XY
  • Just Between Friends – 56 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG
  • Pollen Bakery – Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester M4 6FQ

Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year

  • Altrincham
  • Heaton Moor
  • Prestwich
  • Ramsbottom
  • Sale
  • Stockport
  • Stretford
  • Urmston
Credit: Federal | Rudy’s

Vegetarian / Vegan Offering of the Year

  • Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AG
  • Eddie Shephard (Walled Garden) – 17 Alness Rd, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 8SP
  • Four Side Pizza – 16-20 Turner St, Manchester M4 1BB
  • Herbivorous – Unit 16, Hatch, 103 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
  • Lily’s – 85 Oldham Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
  • Sanskruti – 93-95 Mauldeth Rd, Manchester M14 6SR
  • Wholesome Junkies – 49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH
  • Vertigo – Unit 9, 11 Jack Rosenthal St, Manchester M15 4RA / Unit 2, Bridge House, Salford M50 2BH / 18 Cross St, Manchester M2 7AE

Independent Drinks Producer of the Year

  • Bundobust – 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AG
  • Cloudwater Brewery – Units 12-13, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP
  • Diablesse – 396 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3B
  • Hip Pop – Manor House Farm, Station Rd, Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 5SG
  • Manchester Gin – 10-15 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP
  • Northern Monk – 10 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
  • Pomona Island Beer Brew Co Ltd – Daniel Adamson Rd, Salford M50
  • Steep Soda Co – 73 Temperance St, Manchester M12 6HU

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year

  • Ancoats General Store – 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AB
  • The Butcher’s Quarter – 66 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG
  • Bernie’s Grocery Store – 3 Hawthorn Grove, Heaton Moor, Stockport SK4 4HZ
  • Grape to Grain – 1 Church Ln, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AN
  • Isca Wines – 825 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3PN
  • Out of the Blue – 484 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AS

___

The closing date for votes is 11:59pm on Monday 20 September.

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You can get your votes in here.

Featured Image – MFDF

Eats

Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb

Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta. 

Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.

This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.

They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible. 

One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.

These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.

Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group

How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?

Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze are a great addition to your already faultless food.

Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.

The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.

In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group

What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.

Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury. 

Find out more and book a table HERE. 

Read more: This Manchester suburb has just been named one of the UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2024

Featured Image: The Manc Group

Eats

Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Gail's will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village's name wrong

Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.

The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.

Gail’s put big red temporary signs in the windows of the old bank it’s moving in to – and managed to spell Prestwich wrong.

The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.

More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.

And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.

In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.

“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.

“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”

The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.

Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.

With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.

Gail's will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village's name wrong
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrong
Huge bakery chain Gail's confirms move to Prestwich - but spells village's name wrong in signage
Huge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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