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MFDF2023 Award Winners Announced!

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards (MFDF) took place on Monday 29th January with 18 award winners announced from food and drink establishments across Greater Manchester.  The categories were jam packed with the region’s outstanding food and drink businesses and individuals who have brought so much to the city during challenging times for the industry. 

The Awards shine a light on Manchester’s hospitality heroes who have made outstanding contributions to the region’s dining community and help put Manchester on the map as a global visitor destination. 

The shortlists were compiled by the MFDF judging panel, made up of the region's leading food and drink critics, writers and experts. The categories were carefully considered and created to reflect an innovative, diverse and inspiring food and drink industry. 


The shortlisted venues were put to the public vote via the MFDF website where thousands of food and drink fans voted for their hospitality heroes. The public votes, for some of the awards, were combined with a mystery shopping visit from members of the judging panel, whilst others were decided entirely by the public vote.

Alexa Stratton-Powell, Festival Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented: 

“We’re delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 MFDF Awards. Times are more challenging than ever for the hospitality industry, which has made it all the more important to champion our fantastic nominees and winners tonight. Shining a light on the city’s incredible independent restaurants, bars, cafes and everything in between is what the awards are all about and we’ve loved bringing everyone together to celebrate. We’d like to thank the MFDF judges and presenters, the sponsors of the awards, everyone who voted and New Century for hosting a night to remember.”

And the winners are…

Plant Based Offering of the Year 

WINNER:

BUNDOBUST
St James Building, 61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EQ

Takeaway of the Year

WINNER:

BURGERISM

18 West Ashton Street, Salford, M50 2XS

Independent Drinks Producer of the Year

WINNER

TRACK BREWING CO

Unit 18, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP

Independent Food Producer of the Year sponsored by Capital & Centric

WINNER:

POLLEN BAKERY

Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester M4 6FQ

Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year sponsored by Manchester’s Finest 

WINNER:

STOCKPORT

Coffee Shop of the Year

WINNER:

GRAPEFRUIT COFFEE

2 School Road, Sale M33 7XY

Food Trader of the Year

WINNER:

FAT PAT’S 

88 Portland Street, Manchester M1 4GX

Affordable Eats Venue of the Year

WINNER:

ORNELLA’S KITCHEN

10 Manchester Road, Denton, Manchester M34 3LE

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year

WINNER:

CORK OF THE NORTH

104 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4NZ

Pop Up or Project of the year

WINNER:

PLATT FIELDS MARKET GARDEN
Platt Fields Park, Platt Fields Market Garden, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LT

Pub or Beer Bar of the Year sponsored by Sagres 

WINNER:

THE MARBLE ARCH
73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY

Bar of the Year 

WINNER:

SCHOFIELD’S BAR

3 Little Quay Street, Sunlight House, Manchester M3 3JZ

Neighbourhood Venue of the Year

WINNER:

STRETFORD CANTEEN

118 Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH

Great Service Award sponsored by Boutinot

WINNER:

HAWKSMOOR

184 - 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD

Newcomer of the year sponsored by Bruntwood

WINNER:

HIGHER GROUND

Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester M1 4DY

Chef of the Year sponsored by Manchester Evening News

WINNER:

Shaun Moffat, The Edinburgh Castle Pub

Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Stephenson’s

WINNER: 

ERST

9 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS

The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement

Recognising people who have contributed something outstanding to the hospitality industry in Greater Manchester.

James Campbell, owner of Sureshot Brewery, and one of Manchester’s leading craft beer specialists.


Posted on 1 February 2024