The finalists for the first ever Northern Hospitality Awards have been revealed.

Organised by the company behind the Northern Restaurant and Bar Show, they are the first awards of their kind dedicated to the hospitality industry in the North of England.

In association with Caterer, they recognise the size, diversity and innovation of the hospitality scene in the North, which is home to 57,000 hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants representing 42% of all licensed premises in the UK.

Around 250 guests and shortlisted competitors will attend a black-tie dinner at Manchester’s Lowry hotel on 27 March to find out who has won.

The dinner marks the opening day of the Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibition, which runs from 27 – 28 March at Manchester’s G-Mex.

Tom Hetherington, managing director of event organiser Moorfield Media, said: “We’ve been delighted with the quality and quantity of applications and it really proves the passion of the industry in the region.”

Battling for the Best Restaurant accord will be Anthony’s in Leeds; Northcote Manor near Blackburn; The Star at Harome, North Yorkshire; L’Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria; and the Yorke Arms, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Best chef comprises Lisa Allen from Northcote Manor; Paul Askew at London Carriage Works, Liverpool; Antony Flinn, Anthony’s Leeds; Andrew Pern, The Star at Harome; and Eyck Zimmer, the River Restaurant, the Lowry.

Visit www.northernhospitalityawards.co.uk for a the full shortlist.

By Chris Druce

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