2015 Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards, Midland Hotel, Manchester
PUBLISHED: 00:00 04 December 2015

Big winners for the evening were The Art School Restaurant Liverpool who won Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year and also North West Chef of the Year for Paul Askew. Photographed here is award sponsor for Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year Marc Gough, Whitehouse Event Crockery with Katie Donnelly, Daniela Hernandez, Paul Askew, Nathan Booth, Samantha Pittman and Richard Grierson
Archant
The county's culinary elite descended on Manchester's Midland Hotel for the prestigious Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards. Emma Mayoh reports

Paul Askew has spent much of his career in fine dining restaurants and the hospitality industry. For more than 35 years he worked at prestigious venues as well as being a former director and chef of Hope Street Hotel and The London Carriage Works Restaurant in Liverpool. He also has a string of awards, a huge following of chefs who look up to him and diners who adore his food. His career has been a resounding success. But when he was named North West Chef of the Year at the Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards, it was a special moment.
‘I know I have been around for a long time but these kinds of things don’t get any less surprising,’ said Paul. ‘I don’t do my job for awards but it is incredibly nice and amazing to be appreciated. Wow, I can’t believe it. I’m in utter shock.’
It wasn’t the only award the 49-year-old chef patron received at the glittering ceremony held at The Midland Hotel in Manchester. The Art School Restaurant, the new venture he launched last year, was named Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year. Paul had so much faith in his new business that he mortgaged his house to help pay for the restaurant, which is located in what was Liverpool University’s sculpture and life drawing room in Sugnall Street. Not only did he want a new challenge, he also wanted to showcase and celebrate the changing tastes and fantastic food in Liverpool and the North.
‘To get the Restaurant of the Year award is not only great for me,’ he said. ‘But more importantly, for the guys who make up our incredible team. To see their faces when we were announced as the winner was just magical. They will be celebrating for some time.
‘Now, we can’t just rest on our laurels. Of course, we’ll have that celebration. But tomorrow, we will be back in the restaurant, doing the best for our diners.’
There were cheers when the Parkers Arms was named Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the Year. Chef-patron Stosie Madi and her business partner Kathy Smith have brought the good times back to this lovely rural inn, taking the area’s rich bounty of produce and producing modern, sophisticated food in a relaxed setting. They have earned the respect of everyone from the droves of diners who make the journey to Newton-in-Bowland to high profile food critics including Jay Rayner.

Kathy, who was there to collect the award, said: ‘This means an awful lot to us. I can’t believe we’ve done it. We have had other awards but it is ones like this, that are so important locally, that mean so much.
‘We are all about celebrating the bounty from this wonderful county which is why this award, which is voted for by readers as well as the judges, is just so incredible. It’s the most fantastic thing.’
The Lancashire Life Food & Drink Awards is an evening that reveals the county’s shining stars and celebrates the finest hotels, dining pubs, restaurants, food producers and chefs. The celebrations could be heard around Manchester’s Midland Hotel at the prestigious annual event, a staple of the North West’s culinary calendar. More than 300 of the region’s culinary elite filled the Deansgate Suite for the gala evening.
Venues were nominated by our readers. The shortlist and winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges comprising Lancashire Life editor Roger Borrell, Cheshire Life editor Louise Taylor, Nick Hatch, chef and lecturer with 35 years in the hospitality and catering industry, highly regarded food consultant Rosemary Watts, Trevor Stone, who headed the AstraZeneca catering operation and food and drink writer, Ray King.
Other winners included Linthwaite House Hotel which was named Lake District Hotel of the Year, Fazenda, which won the Manchester Restaurant of the Year award and Booths who took home the prize for North West Independent Retailer of the Year.
There were celebrations from the Northcote team, after the Langho Michelin-starred venue was named Lancashire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant has had a complete makeover, along with the rest of this famous country house hotel, but the quality of the cooking hasn’t changed. There is outstanding food and service from Nigel Haworth, Craig Bancroft, Lisa Allen and the team.
Another winner was The Old Stamp House in Ambleside. The stunning venue, located in the former workplace of poet William Wordsworth, had been shortlisted for an award once before. But this year the popular restaurant took home the Lake District Life Dining Excellence of the Year accolade.

It was founded in 2014 by award-winning chef, Ryan Blackburn, who has worked at prestigious Lakeland dining venues including Holbeck Ghyll and Cottage in the Wood in Whinlatter. It was the fine dining restaurant that Ambleside had been waiting for. Together Ryan, and his two brothers Craig and David, are creating an unrivalled reputation for top quality food in a superb location. They also showcase top local ingredients including Cartmel Valley Game and fish from Whitehaven.
Craig, who is 32 and runs front-of-house, said: ‘It’s fantastic to have won. It’s been a great year for us and this is the perfect ending.
‘Last time we were shortlisted we didn’t win and Ryan came home empty-handed. We’ll be very happy to let him know we won this time.’
Another Lake District winner was Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread which was named Lancashire Life Food Hero of the Year. The now iconic Lakeland treat was invented in 1854 by Victorian creator cook Sarah Nelson, who mixed and baked her spicy-sweet chewy concoction inside her Church Cottage home – now The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Today, it is Andrew and Joanne Hunter who are the proud custodians of the renowned company.
Joanne said: ‘Grasmere Gingerbread has always been a big part of my life. I was weaned on gingerbread, no joke. We are very proud to work hard to keep Sarah Nelson’s fantastic product alive.
‘It feels great to win an award like this. Sarah Nelson was very humble and working class. She worked really hard. For us, it is about preserving something and winning an award like this, in Sarah’s name, is just unbelievable.’
All the winners were presented with the coveted Lancashire Life Food and Drink awards plaques to display as well as celebratory Montelvini magnums of prosecco. But no one left empty handed as all those shortlisted also took home commemorative plates. There was also £1,905 raised for Jump Children’s Charity who deliver unique services to families with children with life-limiting illnesses.
2015 Cheshire Life and Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards
Joanne Hunter and Andrew Hunter of Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread won Lancashire Life Food Hero of the Year (photographed here celebrating with award sponsor Jo Oliver, NFU Mutual)
Elgan Roberts and Nicola Roberts from Bodysgallen Hall and Spa, Llandudno celebrated the win of North Wales Dining Excellence of the Year with award sponsor David Wells, Orsom Handmade Cheese
Craig Jackson and Cilla Lowe from Northcote, Blackburn celebrated the win of Lancashire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year (photographed here with award sponsor Simon Howarth, Total Foodservice)
The team at The Fox and Hounds in Sproston celebrated the win of Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year
Big winners for the evening were The Art School Restaurant Liverpool who won Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year and also North West Chef of the Year for Paul Askew. Photographed here is award sponsor for Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year Marc Gough, Whitehouse Event Crockery with Katie Donnelly, Daniela Hernandez, Paul Askew, Nathan Booth, Samantha Pittman and Richard Grierson
Big winners for the evening were The Art School Restaurant Liverpool who won Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year and also North West Chef of the Year for Paul Askew. Photographed here is award sponsor for Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year Marc Gough, Whitehouse Event Crockery with Katie Donnelly, Daniela Hernandez, Paul Askew, Nathan Booth, Samantha Pittman and Richard Grierson
Cheshire Life Sales Manager Jackie Allen picked up the award on behalf of Sticky Walnut, Hoole who won Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year (photographed here with award sponsor Louis Smith, Hunters Gin)
Tomas Maunier celebrated the win for Fazenda, Spinningfields for Manchester Restaurant of the Year
Andy Nicholson and Chris O'Callaghan from Linthwaite House Hotel, Windermere celebrated winning Lake District Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Tim Bacon, Living Ventures won Cheshire Life Food Hero of the Year. Photographed here is Dave Hinds who picked the award with award sponsor Steve Neary, Creamline Dairies
Craig Blackburn and Daniel Blackburn of The Old Stamp House, Ambleside celebrated the win of Lake District Dining Excellence of the Year
John and Juliet Bourne of Mrs Bourne's Cheese in Malpas won North West Food Product of the Year
Ruth Brindle from Booths, Preston picked up the award for North West Independent Retailer of the Year (celebrating here with award sponsor Jo Oliver, NFU Mutual)
Ben Rushworth and Kathy Smith of the Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland celebrate winning Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the Year
Jaime McCormack and Ray Booker from Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor celebrate the win of Cheshire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Award sponsor Debbie McAllister, Brynteg Holiday Home Park celebrates with Ray Booker and Jaime McCormack from Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor who won Cheshire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Tony and Pamela Garnett
Mel Darwell, Niki Ball and Thomas Smith
Sarah Pearcey and Jonathan Pearcey
Kirsty Hughes and Verity Bond
Olivia and Richard Shevlin with Nicola Walton and Debbie Austin
Kevin Barker, Karol Bailey, Nigel Evans, Jackie Allen and Christine Barker
David Wells, Daniel Blackburn, Rachel Blackburn and Sam Chattell
Deborah St Clair and Deborah Kirkpatrick
Beth Adams, Anthony Dunbar and Becks Mckay
Trevor Stone, Jenny Stone, Jenny Varley, Graham Boulnois, Gill Grantham and Mike Grantham
Ruth Smith, Jan Hargreaves, Chris Terry, Jo Holding and Graham Richardson
Kathy Bridge, Dayna Smith and Rachel Thomas
Michael Stephenson, Mandy Almond, Marie Humphreys and Doug Almond
Lee Aspin, Rachel Gill, Robert Mason, Laura Quelina, Laurence Barcas and Janie Ash
Daniel Barrida and Sandra Navas
Roger Borrell, Barbara Waite, Amanda Dowson, Eric Dowson and Kate Wilson
Howard Barclay and Samantha-Leigh Hampson with Kate Wilson
Louise Taylor and Janet Reeder
Rebecca Butler and Jonathan Wheeldon
Lily and Georgia Thompson
Casarena Malbec Roble
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
Frederico Collezione Pinot Grigio
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Kiln roast salmon from Patchwork Pate, pickled beetroot, smoked salmon cold and hot, dill flid gel
Braised 'Grassroots' beef, pearl barley, Boudin Blanc, confit carrot, wild mushrooms, cavalo nero
Destiny Foods Dark Chocolate Tart, Mrs Dowson's Pear Drop ice cream and poached Pear William
The chefs; Senior Sous chef, Campbell Foster-Mclean with Gareth Mason, Will O'Giliev, Lee Robertson, Mariusz Hakalo, Keaton McClure, Adam Reed, Tasneen Baharani and Gurdas Singh
The chefs; Senior Sous chef, Campbell Foster-Mclean with Gareth Mason, Will O'Giliev, Lee Robertson, Mariusz Hakalo, Keaton McClure, Adam Reed, Tasneen Baharani and Gurdas Singh
Sampling some Robinson beer are James Westwood and John Thompson from The Coast restaurant, Tarporley
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Archant's Commercial Director, Tim Thurston, with Cheshire Life Editor, Louise Taylor
James Ramsbottom with Scott White and John Budd of Boutinot Wines
Archant's Commercial Director, Tim Thurston, with with Barbara and Roger Borrell, Lancashire Life's editor
Aaron Inglis seving canapes to Simon Howarth, Stephen Joyce, Sue Howard and Paul Thompson
Jenny and Trevor Stone
Chris and Sharon Eversfield
In the foreground are Anthony Dunbar, Beth Adams, and James Ramsbottom served with Champagne by Raz Misina
In the foreground are Anthony Dunbar, Beth Adams, and James Ramsbottom served with Champagne by Raz Misina
Paul Robinson pulling a pint of Wizard ale with Alberto Serena, Lindsay Hope, Eric and Amanda Dowson
Paul Morgans with Trudi and Ray King and Angela Halligan
Host for the evening, Melissa Porter, with organiser, Kate Wilson
Jackie Allen with Kevin and Christine Barker (of Laytons Solicitors)
Laura Prince, Kate Bannister and Catherine McCarthy
Rebekka O'Grady and Beatrice Tetteh
Rebekka O'Grady and Beatrice Tetteh with Vijay Arogyasami
Deborah St Clair and Deborah Kirkpatrick
Richard, Rosemary and Peter Watts
Rebecca Williams and Dennie McAlister from Brynteg Holiday Homes
Prof. Andrew Baildam (centre) with Paul and Louise Taylor
Andy Spinoza and Paul Taylor
Archant's Commercial Director, Tim Thurston, with host, Melissa Porter
Smile please
Kacie Donnelly, Sam Pittman and Daniella Hernandez
Natalie Igoe and Louise Jones
Cheshire and Lancashire Life Publisher, Rhiannon Wragg and Rebecca Donelan
Lancashire Life editor, Roger Borell
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
John Robinson
Paul Goodale and Joselyn Neve
John Robinson
Archant's Commercial Director, Tim Thurston
A taste of Orsom Handmade Cheeses and Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses
Mark Huntley (standing, left) and the team from The Fox and Hounds, Sproston. Cheshire Life's Dining Pub of the Year
Cheshire Life Editor, Louise Taylor, and Lancashire Life Editor, Roger Borrell
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Host, Melissa Porter
Jaime McCormack and Ray Booker from Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor celebrate the win of Cheshire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year flanked by Dennie McAlister from Brynteg Holiday Homes and host Melissa Porter
Jaime McCormack and Ray Booker from Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor celebrate the win of Cheshire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year flanked by Dennie McAlister from Brynteg Holiday Homes and host Melissa Porter
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Ben Rushworth and Kathy Smith of the Parkers Arms
LANCASHIRE LIFE DINING PUB OF THE YEAR; Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland; . Ben Rushworth and Kathy Smith of the Parkers Arms flanked by Lancashire Life's Andrew Platt and host, Melissa Porter
LANCASHIRE LIFE DINING PUB OF THE YEAR; Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland; . Ben Rushworth and Kathy Smith of the Parkers Arms flanked by Lancashire Life's Andrew Plant and host, Melissa Porter
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
North West Independent Retailer of the Year; Ruth Brindle (centre) collecting the award on behalf of BOOTHS, Preston, with sponsor, Jo Oliver for NFU Mutual (left) and host, Melissa Porter
Mark Huntley and his colleagues from The Fox and Hounds at Sproston, go to collect the Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year award
Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year went to The Fox and Hounds at Sproston represented on stage here by Mark Huntley Rebecca Butler and Ivy Igoe flanked by sponsor Henry Stephenson and host, Melissa Porter
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Craig Jackson and Cilla Lowe from Northcote, Blackburn celebrated the win of Lancashire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Craig Jackson and Cilla Lowe from Northcote, Blackburn celebrated the win of Lancashire Life Hotel Restaurant of the Year photographed here with award sponsor Simon Howarth, Total Foodservice and host Melissa Porter
John and Juliet Bourne of Mrs Bourne's Cheese in Malpas won North West Food Product of the Year
John and Juliet Bourne of Mrs Bourne's Cheese in Malpas won North West Food Product of the Year and are pictured here with Verity Bond of sponsor Farrow and Ball and host, Melissa Porter
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Elgan Roberts and Nicola Roberts from Bodysgallen Hall and Spa, Llandudno celebrated the win of North Wales Dining Excellence of the Year with award sponsor David Wells, Orsom Handmade Cheese, and host, Melissa Porter
Rebecca-Jane Wilkinson- Lowe of The Linen Group
Craig Blackburn of The Old Stamp House, Ambleside celebrating the win of Lake District Dining Excellence of the Year
Craig Blackburn and Daniel Blackburn of The Old Stamp House, Ambleside celebrated the win of Lake District Dining Excellence of the Year with host, Melissa Porter and sponsor of The Linen Group, Rebecca-Jane Wilkinson- Lowe
Dave Hinds who collected THE CHESHIRE LIFE FOOD HEROES AWARD for Tim Bacon of Living Ventures
Dave Hinds (centre) who collected THE CHESHIRE LIFE FOOD HEROES AWARD for Tim Bacon of Living Ventures fron Steve Neary of sponsors, Creamline Dairies and host, Melissa Porter
Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson of sponsors, Robinsons Brewery, with the Lake District Hotel Restaurant of the Year winners, LINTHWAITE HOUSE, represented by Andy Nicholson and Chris O'Callaghan and host, Melissa Porter
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
LANCASHIRE LIFE FOOD HERO OF THE YEAR; Sarah Nelson Grasmere Gingerbread; Joanne Hunter and Andrew Hunter collect the award from Jo Oliver of sponsors, NFU Mutual watched by host, Melissa Porter
Tomas Maunier celebrated the win for Fazenda, Spinningfields for Manchester Restaurant of the Year
Tomas Maunier (centre) celebrated the win for Fazenda, Spinningfields for Manchester Restaurant of the Year here with Barney Leaf of sponsors, Laytons Solicitors and host Melissa Porter
THE LANCASHIRE LIFE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR; The Art School, Liverpool, with chef, Paul Askew and his team celebrating
THE LANCASHIRE LIFE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR; The Art School, Liverpool; Marc Gough, Whitehouse Event Crockery with Nathan Booth, Richard Grierson, Paul Askew, Sam Pittman, Daniella Hernandez and Kacie Donnelly with host, Melissa Porter
THE LANCASHIRE LIFE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR; The Art School, Liverpool celebrate
Cheshire Life Sales Manager Jackie Allen picked up the award on behalf of Sticky Walnut, Hoole who won Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year photographed here with award sponsor Louis Smith, Hunters Gin and host Melissa Porter
The Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life Chef of the Year, Paul Askew, of The Art School, Liverpool, receiving his award from Paul Robinson of sponsors, Robinson's Brewery
The Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life Chef of the Year, Paul Askew, of The Art School, Liverpool, receiving his award from Paul Robinson of sponsors, Robinson's Brewery, with host, Melissa Porter
The Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life Chef of the Year, Paul Askew, of The Art School, Liverpool
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
The Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life Chef of the Year, Paul Askew, of The Art School, Liverpool, receives congratulation from his colleagues
The Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life Chef of the Year, Paul Askew, of The Art School, Liverpool, receives congratulation from his colleagues
THE LANCASHIRE LIFE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR; The Art School, Liverpool; Sam Pittman, Daniella Hernandez, Kacie Donnelly and Nathan Booth celebrate
Food & Drink Awards at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
All the winners of the 2015 Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards
Menu
To start
Kiln roast salmon from Patchwork Pate, pickled beetroot, smoked salmon, cold and hot and dill fluid gel
Served with Frederico Collezione Pinot Grigio or Dizzy Blonde ale
To continue
Braised Grassroots beef, pearl barley, boudin blanc, confit carrot, wild mushrooms and cavolo nero
Served with Casarena Malbec Roble or Unicorn bitter
To finish
Destiny Foods dark chocolate tart, Mrs Dowson’s pear drop ice cream and poached pear William
Served with Ginger Tom dark ale
A taste of Orson handmade cheeses and Butlers Farmhouse cheeses