The winners of this year's Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have been revealed, celebrating the very best of the region's hospitality industry.
Many parts of the annual MFDF event have had to be postponed until spring, but the awards ceremony has gone ahead as planned in a new live-streamed format.
New award categories were also announced this year to acknowledge the hard work of the industry in what has been a challenging year for operators.
These included the best innovation, the best food and drink delivery box, and the lockdown heroes who went above and beyond to provide hospitality to those in need during the pandemic.
The awards have also recognised the best newcomer to the city, the best drinks producer, and the street food trader of the year, among others.
The shortlists were drawn up by a panel of judges made up of critics and writers, before voting took place on the MFDF website and new app.
Rather than its usual gala dinner at Gorton Monastery, the 23rd MFDF Awards have been broadcast live from Moda Angel Gardens in the city centre.
Nominees waited in a virtual green room for the winners to be announced.
Commenting on the awards, MFDF's founding director Phil Jones said: "We’re very pleased to be able to recognise our brilliant hospitality sector during this extraordinarily difficult time.
"MFDF is proud to celebrate such a wonderful range of businesses and individuals, all showcasing the strong stuff that our local industry is made of.
"There’s been huge amounts of innovation and creativity – even during such a tough time, we’ve much to celebrate.
"Congratulations to all the winners, and nominees – the Festival will continue to support the industry however it can over the coming months… roll on April 2021."
The full list of winners is below. Did your favourite manage to scoop a prize? Let us know in the comments below.
MFDF 2020 Awards - all the winners revealed
BEST ONLINE ‘AT HOME’ FOOD AND DRINK CONTENT, SPONSORED BY MODA ANGEL GARDENS
THE WINNER
Cork of the North - For their live wine tasting masterclasses broadcast via social media
THE SHORTLIST
Andrew Nutter – For his online cookery videos broadcast via social media.
Higher Ground - For their live cook-alongs broadcast via social media
Manchester Gin - For their live gin masterclasses broadcast via social media.
Rachel Stockley/Baratxuri - For her online cookery videos broadcast via social media.
Sienna & Maurizio Cecco from Salvi’s – For their live cook-alongs and online cookery videos all broadcast via social media
Simon Wood - For his online cookery videos broadcast via social media
Six By Nico - For their Now Cooking series broadcast via social media
THE BEST RESTAURANT TAKEAWAY ADAPTATION, SPONSORED BY JUST EAT
THE WINNER
Rudy’s Pizza - 9 Cotton Street, Ancoats, M4 5BF
THE SHORTLIST
Bundobust
Elnecot
Hip Hop Chip Shop
Mughli Charcoal Pit
Six by Nico
Wolf at The Door
Yang Sing
BEST DIY DELIVERY FOOD OFFERING, SPONSORED BY ROOMZZZ APARTHOTELS
THE WINNER
Northern Soul - Grill it Yourself Kit - Unit 10-11 Church Street, M4 1PN
THE SHORTLIST
Adam Reid - Great British Menu Box
Baratxuri - Menu Delivery Boxes
DD’s Burgers at The Koffee Pot - The Lockdown DIY Burger Kit
Elite Bistros at Home
Hawksmoor at Home
Wood at Home
Yao Yao Noodles - Ramen Kit Delivery
BEST FOOD AND DRINK BOX DELIVERY
THE WINNER
ShinDigger Brewing Co - Beer delivery boxes in under three hours - Unit 11, Springfield Lane Industrial Estate, Salford, M3 7JQ
THE SHORTLIST
Grandad Sausages - “The Sausage Hotline”- Delivering BBQ Kits and Breakfast Packs
Great North Pie Co - Pie Box Delivery
Lupo Caffe Italiano - Italian Treats and Veg Boxes
R Noone and Son- Fruit and Veg boxes
Reserve Wines - Wine Box Deliveries
The Crafty Cheese Man - Cheese Board Delivery Boxes
Zouk - BBQ Boxes
BEST INNOVATION, SPONSORED BY HUN WINE
THE WINNER
Stretford Foodhall - Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BD
THE SHORTLIST
Grub-E-Mart - hosting street vendors online for orders and collections
Levenshulme Market - providing a platform for traders to go online as well as local charities
Andrew Nutter - Nutter’s Cheese and Wine Boutique
Cloudwater - supporting other breweries through the crisis, letting them use their webshop and supporting Higher Ground with deliveries.
Didsbury Gin - moving gin production to hand sanitiser
Manchester Union Lager- growler collection and refills
House of Hops - investing in canning production to enable them to order, pour, seal and deliver beer on the same day
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY BULLEIT BOURBON
THE WINNER
Escape to Freight Island - Baring Street, Manchester M1 2PZ
THE SHORTLIST
The Bull & Bear
The Edinburgh Castle Pub
Six By Nico
Higher Ground
Perfect Match
Street Urchin
Stretford Food Hall
BEST ONLINE VEGGIE/VEGAN OFFERING SPONSORED BY MEATLESS FARM
THE WINNER
Wholesome Junkies - wholesomejunkies.com
THE SHORTLIST
Blue Caribou Canteen
Yao Yao Noodles
Vaso Indian Kitchen
The Walled Gardens by Eddie Shepherd
Herbivorous
The Ottomen
Pasta Factory
ARTISAN DRINKS PRODUCER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY FRANKLIN & SONS
THE WINNER
ShinDigger Brewing Co - shindiggerbrewing.co
THE SHORTLIST
Didsbury Gin
Four Sisters
Manchester Gin
Diablesse Rum
Manchester Union Lager
Cloudwater Brewing
Track Brew Co
TAKE AWAY COFFEE EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
THE WINNER
Ancoats General Store - 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AB
THE SHORTLIST
Just Between Friends
Federal Cafe Bar
Foundation Coffee House
Grindsmith
Heart & Graft Coffee
Another Heart to Feed
Manchester Coffee Co
STREET FOOD TRADER OF THE YEAR
THE WINNER
Oh Mei Dumpling - facebook.com/ohmeidumpling
THE SHORTLIST
The Ottomen
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium
Nasi Lemak
Herbivorous
Abeja Tapas Bar
I Knead Pizza
Jerk Shack
Lockdown Heroes Sponsored by Manchester Evening News
THE WINNER
Eat Well MCR - eatwellmcr.org
Howard and Ruth Outstanding Achievement Award
THE WINNER
Mary-Ellen McTague from The Creameries and Eat Well MCR
