News

Deliveroo awards: these are the Manchester restaurants shortlisted

An impressive 24 Manchester restaurants have made the shortlist for this year's award ceremony - now it's up to you to vote for the ultimate winner

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 4th October 2021

Deliveroo has just announced the finalists for this year’s Restaurant Awards – and an impressive 24 Manchester restaurants made the shortlist.

Manchester eatery Salt n Pepper has only just landed on the platform, but it’s already up for a best newcomer award this year.

Three Manchester restaurants were nominated for the best vegan award (Oowee Vegan, What the Pitta and Frost Burgers) and two for Restaurant of the Year (Proove pizza and Fat Hippo) whilst an absolute slew have been shortlisted for categories including Best Asian, Best Chinese, Best Sushi and Best Eco Friendly restaurant.

Zumu sushi is up for this year’s Best Sushi award / Image: Zumu sushi

Voted for by the Manchester public, the 24 restaurants listed below have beaten thousands of others across the UK after their popularity was put to a customer vote.

The first round of public voting saw over 50,000 people cast their vote, resulting in more than 600 hopefuls being reduced to 132 finalists Now, it’s up to Manchester locals to ensure their favourite wins – with just under two weeks to go until voting for awards closes on 18 October.

For 2021, Deliveroo has increased the number of award categories to help celebrate even more of its traders and ensure more restaurants can take home accolades after a rollercoaster year. In total, there are 22 trophies up for grabs – including the much-coveted Restaurant of the Year Award, which is voted for by a celebrity panel of judges still to be revealed.

New awards being introduced for 2021 include categories Best Essentials, Best Meals Under £10, Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Sushi, Best Kebab, Best Fine-dining Restaurant, Best Salads and Bowls.

Manchester’s What The PItta is up for the Best Vegan award / Image: What The Pitta

Repeat categories, meanwhile, include Best Burger, Best Pizza, Best Vegan Restaurant, Best Indian Restaurant and Best Eco-friendly Restaurant.

Speaking on this year’s awards, Deliveroo CEO Will Shu said: “Celebrating our incredible restaurant and grocery partners has never been more important.

“We are launching our third annual Deliveroo Restaurant Awards to shine a light on the very best food the UK and Ireland has to offer, from high-street favourites to local gems.

Image: Eatmcr

“With new categories, and over 45,000 restaurants and grocers in the running, this year’s awards will be bigger and better than ever. We’re calling on the public to celebrate their favourite local restaurants and grocers by casting your vote and supporting these great businesses.”

Winners will be announced at Deliveroo’s virtual awards ceremony on November 15th.

The full list of Manchester restaurants to make the shortlist is as follows:

  • Proove Pizza – Restaurant of the Year
  • Fat Hippo – Restaurant of the Year
  • Burgerism – Best Burger
  • Little Yang Sing – Best Chinese
  • Chinese Red Chilli 红辣椒 – 曼大店 – Oxford Rd – Best Chinese
  • Rudy’s – Best Pizza
  • Mughli Charcoal Pit – Best Indian
  • What The Pitta – Best Vegan
  • Four Side – Best Vegan
  • Frost Burgers – Best Vegan
  • Oowee Vegan – Best Vegan
  • Zumu Sushi- Best Sushi
  • Juniper – Best Breakfast
  • Fuzion – Best Asian
  • BAB – Best Kebab
  • Chilli Tortilla – Best Mexican
  • Lebanese Shawarma – Best Middle Eastern
  • Big Johns – Best Meals Under £10
  • The Chippy On Burton Road – Best Eco Friendly
  • V Rev Vegan Diner – Best Eco Friendly
  • Tattu- Best Fine Dining
  • Glamorous Chinese Restaurant – Best Fine Dining
  • Gaucho – Best Fine Dining
  • Asha’s- Best Fine Dining
  • Salt & Pepper – Best Newcomer

Feature image – Proove Pizza

News

Man who calls himself ‘Kardashian of Cheshire’ pleads guilty to £200k handbag fraud scam

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Jack Watkin mugshot

A man who refers to himself as Cheshire’s very-own Kardashian has pleaded guilty to fraud and theft.

Cheshire Police explained how Jack Watkin, formerly of Wilmslow Road, in the affluent Cheshire suburb of Alderley Edge, funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by defrauding businesses and individuals to a total value of more than £200,000.

The 26-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 24 June), where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.

The court heard how Watkin used the lure of well-known designer handbag brand, Hermes, as a ruse to trick people into giving him the money he needed to afford his extravagant lifestyle, as these sought-after handbags can’t be purchased over the counter, and instead, shoppers must be specially invited to buy one.

This therefore makes Hermes bags a lucrative investment, as the resale value of them can be much higher than the original price.

Jack Watkin has pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud / Credit: Cheshire Police

The victims were told by Watkin that he had the contacts that could give them access to the handbags and that they could split the profits made on resale, so they proceeded to hand over their money in good faith.

But when no bag or sign of any money from the investment opportunity showed itself, they would begin to ask for their money back… and it was at this point they encountered his excuses.

A police investigation was launched after one victim contacted the Metropolitan Police back in 2022 when she became suspicious of Watkin’s continued excuses, and the case was subsequently referred to Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit.

Their enquiries unearthed a string of victims and a ‘breathtaking’ amount of luxury goods and hotel bills, all of which Watkin afforded by ‘swindling’ his six victims.

During the investigation, detectives also found indecent images on his mobile phone, which he has already been found guilty of at a previous hearing.

“Watkin deluded himself that he was a successful rich kid influencer,” explained Detective Constable Gareth Yates, of Cheshire Constabulary ECU.

“But in reality, he was stealing money from wealthy individuals under the guise of ‘business opportunities’ to fund his expensive habit of fast cars, luxury goods, and designer footwear and clothing.

“It was never going to end well, and his downfall was inevitable.

Read more:

“Eventually his lies caught up with him and he is now facing the consequences of his deceit, and his perversions.”

Watkin has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced for the fraud and indecent images offences on Wednesday 3 September at Chester Crown Court.

Featured Image – Cheshire Police

News

Kala announces closure after more than half a decade in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Another hit for the Manchester hospitality sector as city centre cult favourite Kala has announced it has closed with immediate effect.

The Manc bistro, beloved for putting a contemporary slant on British and French classics, was opened by restaurateur Gary Usher back in 2021, receiving plenty of positive press over the years.

Perhaps the most notable bit of praise it received was from renowned food writer Jay Rayner, who said it “quietly feeds you well”. But that was part of the problem: it was too quiet, unfortunately.

Announcing the shutdown on Tuesday evening (24 June), Usher shared an extended statement on social media, explaining the details behind the decision – but there was one, clear, overriding reason.

Confirming the news on Instagram, the chef-owner wrote: “Gary Usher here.. It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate closure of Kala. I’m not really sure how to explain why we’ve closed other than we weren’t busy enough to cover our costs.

“I really really want to blame the economy and the pandemic. I really want to say the rising costs have made it impossible. All those factors haven’t helped, but we are 50% down in trade at Kala, and that is the killer.”

This isn’t the first of the St Albans-born chef’s locations to close either, as his Burnt Truffle venue on the Wirral also shut back in January.

Nevertheless, Kala’s reputation has remained strong throughout, boasting one of the best elevated albeit accessible evening and lunch deals in the city centre, not to mention at very reasonable prices.

Moreover, they were famed for their stunning Sunday dinners, with Sacha Lord dubbing them the best roasts in Manchester he’s had “in ages.”

Sacha Lord hails Manchester restaurant for serving up ‘the best Sunday roast’ he’s had ‘in ages’
That perfectly blushed beef was incredible.

Usher goes on to add: “It goes without saying our business rates [are] increasing substantially, and the hike in NIC [national insurance] contributions only works against us. This was not planned, but neither was us being this quiet in June. All the Kala team will be paid up to date, our rent & suppliers too.

“If you have a voucher with us, as always, it can be used in the wider group. It was always a dream to have a restaurant on King Street in Manchester. I just wish it had lasted longer than 6 years.

“Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.

“Please come and visit us in Didsbury at Hispi where it will be our pleasure to welcome you. Farewell, King Street. Farewell Kala. Gary.”

Kala closing marks yet another local business we’re gutted to see go, as it was only earlier this month that we had to bid goodbye to both Medlock Canteen and Indian street food spot, Rola Wala, which closed on Monday.

Safe to say it’s been a gutting few days for local food and drink.

With that being said, please do support the Elite Group’s remaining restaurants where you can, which include the aforementioned Hispi, The Sticky Walnut in Chester, The White Horse in the Cheshire village of Churton, as well as Wreck in Liverpool.

All we can say is thanks for the memories and the brilliant food.

Inside Gary Usher’s cosy new village boozer The White Horse at Churton
Kala may be closed but this nearby gem is still well worth the trip.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

More News

Joel Sheldon death Bredbury Stockport death tributes

Crime

Heartbreaking tributes are being paid after 23-year-old hit by car in Stockport dies from injuries

At-home smear test

News

Home testing kits will be sent out those who never or rarely attend cervical screenings

GMFRS working at Hotspur Press

News

Fire service thanks Manchester public for cooperation while they worked to extinguish Hotspur Press fire

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches