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MFDF AWARD 2025 WINNERS ARE REVEALED AT NORTHWEST’S BIGGEST FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS SPONSORED BY THERME MANCHESTER
Hospitality talent from across Greater Manchester came together at New Century tonight (Monday 26th January), for the return of the prestigious Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) Awards sponsored by Therme Manchester. The event saw 18 winners announced from food and drink establishments across the region. With 130 outstanding venues, traders, places and people nominated, the categories recognise both the businesses and talented individuals who have shaped the city’s culinary scene over the past 12 months.
The MFDF Awards shine a spotlight on Manchester’s dynamic hospitality scene — a vital part of the city’s identity and global reputation. Judged by a panel of respected food and drink experts, writers and critics, the 18 award categories showcase the scale, quality and diversity of the region’s food and drink landscape, from Michelin-starred restaurants to affordable favourites and exciting new openings.
This year, the MFDF awards are sponsoredby Therme Manchester - a transformational large-scale wellbeing destination which will feature pools, saunas, waterslides, and wellbeing therapies set to complete construction in late 2028. As part of the partnership this year’s awards saw the first, “Community Food and Drink Project of the Year” created. This new category recognises and celebrates the outstanding food and drink initiatives making a real difference in Greater Manchester, with nominations received from a range of brilliant organisations and the winner receiving a £1000 funding boost from Therme as well as a further £2000 to kick off a joint legacy project. Shortlisted venues were put to the public vote via the MFDF website where thousands of food and drink fans voted for their favourite winner. Scores from a mystery shopping visit, carried out by members of the judging panel, were also combined with the public vote for some of the awards to determine the winners.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented:
“We’re incredibly proud to announce this year’s winners, who together represent the excellence, creativity and resilience of Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector. At a time when the industry continues to face tough head winds, it’s more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the people and venues doing exceptional work every day.
“We’re hugely grateful to Therme for their support of the awards, and for backing a sector that plays such a vital role in the life of the city. Manchester continues to lead the way as one of the world’s most exciting food destinations, and we hope this year’s winners and nominees inspire food lovers to go out and support the brilliant venues right on their doorstep.”
Ben Dutson, Head of Food Operations at Therme RPC, added:
"We're delighted to have sponsored this year's awards and play a part in supporting and celebrating the brilliant food and drink businesses that make Manchester such a phenomenal place.
“It’s been fantastic to also recognise those incredible organisations that give back to the community with our brand new award - we're looking forward to working with the winner and creating an ongoing legacy.
“Therme is all about living well and having fun - and making wellness more accessible for the community, so I can't think of a better way of embodying that than by supporting all the great businesses and community groups that we have recognised tonight."
And the winners are …
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
WINNER:
DOUBLE ZERO
Takeaway of the Year
WINNER:
THIS & THAT
Wine offering of the Year (new for 2025)
WINNER:
FLAWD WINE
Food Trader of the Year
WINNER:
RACK
Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
WINNER:
Stockport
Independent Drink Producer of the Year
WINNER:
TRACK BREWING CO
Independent Food Producer of the Year
WINNER:
POLLEN BAKERY
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
WINNER:
STRETFORD CANTEEN
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year
WINNER:
THE MARBLE ARCH INN
Great Service Award
WINNER:
MARAY
Low or No Offering of the Year (new for 2025)
WINNER:
NELL’S PIZZA
Bar of the Year
WINNER:
SPEAK IN CODE
Newcomer of the Year
WINNER:
STOW
Chef of the Year
WINNER:
Matt Bennett (The Pearl)
Restaurant of the Year
WINNER:
SKOF
Community Food & Drink Project of the Year (sponsored by Therme)
WINNER:
PLATT FIELDS MARKET GARDEN
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
WINNER:
RUSTICA
Posted on 27 January 2026
