Eats

National Pizza Awards looking for one lucky person to join 2026 judging panel

Is this the best job ever? Honestly, it can't be far off.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 12th August 2026

Job adverts don’t come much better than this, as the National Pizza Awards is searching for one lucky person to join the judging panel at this year’s grand final.

The National Pizza Awards invite chefs from across the hospitality industry each year to submit their signature recipes in a bid to claim the coveted title of National Pizza of the Year title, providing a platform for the UK’s ultimate pizza professionals to showcase their recipes on a national scale.

Hosted by Dine Out magazine finalists face off in a live cooking showdown in front of a hand-picked panel of industry judges.

On top of a signature round, competitors take part in a technical challenge that sees them construct the best dish from a selection of ingredients, with the winner being named National Pizza Chef of the Year.

Nell's Pizza at Kampus
Rudy's is considered one of Manchester's best pizza restaurants. Credit: The Manc Group
The National Pizza Awards is looking for one lucky person to join its 2026 judging panel / Credit: The Manc Group

And this year, you could play a part in picking the winners.

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That’s right – the National Pizza Awards has launched a nationwide search for a new judge, and the only catch (if you can even call it a catch) is that the judge will need to sample 16 of the UK’s best pizzas in a single day as chefs battle it out for the title.

It’s a tough gig, but someone’s got to do it, and if you want to be that someone, entries are now open for you to enter.

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Pizzas are judged on how the they’re made, the flavour profile, how they’re cooked, the aesthetic and presentation, and the texture, quality, and consistency, as well as the choice of ingredients.

To be in with a chance, you’ll simply just need tag your favourite pizza place in the Instagram competition post, and then if that place enters the awards and makes it through to the final cook-off, you’ll be entered into a draw to become that all-important guest judge this November.

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Think your local pizzeria has what it takes? Back them, get tagging, and you could find yourself helping crown the UK’s pizza champion.

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Enter on Instagram here.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest returns with the best foodie deals all month long

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back, and there’s some absolute foodie bargains to be had right across the shopping centre throughout the month.

Looking for the best foodie deals in Manchester city centre this summer?

Summer Scran Fest is back, bringing a month-long celebration of tasty food, refreshing drinks, and unbeatable offers over at Manchester Arndale.

It’s the Arndale’s annual food and drink festival, giving visitors exclusive access to limited-time offers, with a mix of high-street favourites, local foodie hotspots, and even leisure experiences taking part, meaning eating out in the city centre is more affordable ever – whether you’re here for lunch, fuelling a family day out, or just popping in for a mid-shop treat.

Running right through until 31 August, there’ll be discounts across 30+ restaurants, cafes, kiosks and leisure venues, all under one roof.

Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest has returned with the best foodie deals all month long / Credit: The Manc Group

This year’s lineup includes a balance of Manchester’s most-loved chains and local indies.

Think household names like McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme, and Subway taking part, alongside local gems like Archie’s, Michael’s Coffee House, and Coffee Break, as well as the Arndale’s newest residents like Wingstop and Joe & the Juice joining in the fun this year too.

Shoppers can expect everything from buy one get one free deals, up to 25% off menus, kids eat free promotions, and more exciting ways to save.

No matter whether you’re craving burgers, pizza, milkshakes, matcha, or something in between, Summer Scran Fest has your cravings (and your bank balance) covered.

As mentioned though, ‘scran’ might be in the name, but it’s not just foodie offers you can look forward to this month, as there’s also deals on at leisure venues too – including mini golf and burger combos, free drinks with gaming sessions, and plenty more to keep everyone entertained.

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Summer Scran Fest is currently on at Manchester Arndale until 31 August, and you can find a full list of all the offers here.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Eats

Vanilli’s – the Manchester bakery and dessert spot that has carried on the tradition of an old Italian favourite

Danny Jones Danny Jones Vanilli's dessert shop Manchester

Vanilli’s Cake Company is one of those names whose reach extends far and wide, with a history that goes way back into the past, and a deeper Greater Manchester heritage than you can imagine.

It’s one almost as rich as the desserts they’ve been making across the city centre and beyond for decades, but it also begins back in Italy.

Formerly San Marco Products, a fellow cult-favourite bakery, suppliers and catering company from way back, owner Sapna Kumar took over their old premises on Crown Industrial Estate over in Ancoats more than six years ago, and has been carrying on their sweet treat traditions ever since.

The difference these days is that it’s gone from more of an Italian ‘pasticceria’ to a Mancunian bakery with both local and Indian roots.

Credit: The Manc Eats

Born out of pregnancy cravings ahead of her third child, ironically, Vanilli’s Cake Co. went from an unfortunately timed passion project conceived on the cusp of the pandemic to a mainstay of Greater Manchester and North West markets and now part of a mini Manc empire in the making.

After taking control of the old commercial premises back in 2020, their understated but impressively high-output unit still has lots of regulars in the know coming in for the good stuff, but still operates somewhat under the radar.

Maybe that’s part of the reason their quality control has remained at such a high level: although they provide to plenty of vendors all across the city and wider region, they’ve never overextended themselves to the point that even the slightest of standards slips.

If you’ve met Sapna before – the charismatic matriarch behind this brand and others like spin-off Cake Bar Co. and most recently, Punjabee – you’ll know that she doesn’t do anything by half measures.

‘Rooted in India, made in Manchester’ – Punjabee Deli has big designs on the local food scene
And yes, there are Vanilli’s desserts on sale here, too.

A familiar face at the likes of Foodie Friday and various other street food stalls across the 10 boroughs and even further afield, she’s been doing some of these events since the very outset.

Sadly, without going into too much detail, she admits that there have been instances where her generosity has been “taken advantage of on more than one occasion”, but they will never stop her continuing to offer a helping hand.

The difference this time, however, is that she’s not simply putting others before herself all the time anymore; the Manc mum who’s played mother to many through her work over the years is finally shouting about herself and her unsung but nevertheless dedicated and talented team more.

And not just a little bit, either (no half measures, remember?) – she proudly proclaims that not only does Vanilli’s serve up some of the most authentic traditional recipes, but she happily lays claim to whipping up “the best Manchester tart” you’ll find anywhere.

You might have even seen lots of them pop up at Morning Glory in the Northern Quarter.

Be it amongst the smaller artisan traders or the big heavyweights, she’s gearing up to take them all on and let her food do the talking.

As for this location, specifically, she simply wants to give people like you a reminder that it’s been there for more than 30 years at this point

She’s also looking to rebuild support throughout the community by teaming up with local brands and creators moving forward. Again, it’s about time she finally got on the receiving end of ‘You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’, which sounds like it’s long overdue.

Having recently put on a speciality spread for us, showcasing not only the classic but some fresh new ideas and creative takes on familiar, we can assure you some very delicious things are coming from Vanilli’s throughout the rest of 2026.

So, if like Sapna, you love “indulging in the sweeter side of life”, give a Vanilli’s cake, pastry or one of their other tasty desserts soon.

Find all of these and more at Unit 8, Crown Industrial, Poland Street, M4 6BN. (Credit: The Manc)

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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