Hospitality sector toasts cream of the crop
MORE than 250 people last night attended an awards ceremony for the best of the food, drink and hotel sectors across the north.
The fourth annual Northern Hospitality Awards, held at the Hilton hotel in Manchester, saw six of the nine awards go to North West companies.
Jason Harding of The Lowry, the landmark five-star hotel in Salford, won Best General Manager.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to win this award and it is genuinely for the whole team at The Lowry.”
The Residence Restaurant & Bar of Nantwich won best bar. Residence was launched by former Living Ventures sales and marketing director Paul Newman and Ben Rafferty, a former award-winning bartender and pub acquisitions manager.
Marc Wilkinson of Wirral-based restaurant Fraiche was named best chef; Best Newcomer was the Church Green of Lymm; Best Pub was Kirkstile Inn, Cockermouth.
Ramsons Restaurant, Ramsbottom, was named best restaurant, while best wine offering went to the Angel Inn, which is based at Hetton near Skipton.
The owners of another Yorkshire country pub Andrew and Jacquie Pern of the Star Inn at Harome were presented with a special achievement award.
The coveted title of best hotel went to the Clow Beck House of Darlington.
Thom Hetherington, managing director of Moorfield Media, the awards’ organisers said: “The current economic climate makes award ceremonies such as this all the more important – the industry needs its moment to congratulate the best of its colleagues and peers. The Northern hospitality industry certainly has a lot to celebrate and be proud of.”
