Last night, the Manchester Food and Drink awards took place with 16 award winners announced across the Greater Manchester region.

Each of the shortlists was created by the MFDF judging panel in advance, before being put to a public vote.

Usually, there is also a “mystery shopping” element to the awards where judges also go and visit venues in person – but this did not take place this year due to the pandemic.

At the closing finale to a record-breaking year for MFDF, more than 450 nominees from the region’s hospitality industry came together at The Ticket Hall at Freight Island to celebrate as this year’s winners were announced.

Keep reading to discover who took home what.

Awards categories and nominations:

Restaurant of the Year

Winner: Baratxuri

Shortlisted: The Sparrows, Adam Reid at The French, Baratxuri, Erst, Hawksmoor, Mana, Street Urchin, Where The Light Gets In

Newcomer of the Year

Sponsored by the Manchester Evening News

Winner: Ramona

Shortlisted: District, Open Kitchen MCR, Osma, Pho Cue, Schofield’s Bar, Society, The Moor, Ramona

Bar of the Year

Winner: Albert’s Schloss

Shortlisted: Henry C, Kiosk, Schofield’s Bar, Speak In Code, The Blues Kitchen, The Jane Eyre, Three Little Words, Albert’s Schloss

Chef of the Year

Winner: Rachel Stockley, Baratxuri

Shortlisted: Adam Reid (The French), Eddie Shepherd (The Walled Gardens), Mary-Ellen McTague (The Creameries), Patrick Withington (Erst), Sam Buckley (WTLGI), Simon Martin (Mana), Terry Huang (Umezushi), Rachel Stockley (Baratxuri)

Pub or craft ale bar of the Year

Winner: Edinburgh Castle

Shortlisted: Beatnikz Republic, Cob and Coal, Heaton Hops, Nordie, Reasons to be Cheerful, Society, Stalybridge Buffet Bar

Artisan food producer of the Year

Winner: Pollen Bakery

Shortlisted: Manchester Smokehouse, Bread Flower, Companio Bakery, Holy Grain Sourdough, Gooey, Just Natas, Lily’s Deli, Pollen Bakery

Pop up / Project of the Year

Winner: Escape to Freight Island

Shortlisted: Eat Well MCR, Grub, Homeground, Kampus Summer Guest Events, Platt Fields Market, Homeground, One Central, MIF Festival, Escape to Freight Island

Neighbourhood venue of the Year

Sponsored by the Roomzzz Aparthotels

Winner: Lily’s

Shortlisted: Bar San Juan, Levanter, Erst, The Fisherman’s Tale, Porta, Oystercatcher, Stretford Food Hall, Lily’s

Food Trader of the Year

Winner: Wholesome Junkies

Shortlisted: Abeja Tapas Bar, Archchi’s, Gooey, Honest Crust, Pico’s Tacos, Maison Breizh, Tender Cow, Wholesome Junkies

Affordable Eats of the Year

Winner: Rudy’s

Shortlisted: Abeja Tapas Bar, Chapati Cafe, Ca Phe Viet, Little Yeti, Lily’s, Mi & Pho, Platt Fields Market Garden, Rudy’s Pizza

Coffee Shop of the Year

Winner: Federal

Shortlisted: Another Heart to Feed, Ancoat’s Coffee, Ezra & Gil, Grindsmith, Grapefruit, Just Between Friends, Pollen Bakery, Federal

Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year

Winner: Altrincham

Shortlisted: Heaton Moor, Prestwich, Ramsbottom, Sale, Stockport, Stretford, Urmston, Altrincham

Veggie / Vegan Offering of the Year

Winner: Bundobust

Shortlisted: Eddie Shepherd, Four Side Pizza, Herbivorous, Lily’s, Sanskruti, Wholesome Junkies, Vertigo, Bundobust

Independent Drinks Producer of the Year

Winner: Manchester Gin

Shortlisted: Bundobust, Cloudwater Brewery, Diablesse, Hip Pop (formerly Booch & Brew), Northern Monkey, Steep Soda, Pomona Island, Manchester Gin

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year

Winner: Store Group

Shortlisted: The Butcher’s Quarter, Bernie’s Grocery Store, Grape to Grain, Isca Wines, Out of the Blue, Unicorn Grocery, Wandering Palate

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Mital Morar (Store Group)

Feature image – MFDF