Andrew Nutter: Chef of the Year 2012

Andrew Nutter: Chef of the Year 2012

Andrew Nutter has been named as ‘Chef of the Year’ in the prestigious Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) annual awards.

The award was presented at a glittering ceremony at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel on Monday evening. Andrew amongst a shortlist of impressive competition which comprised some of the region’s top chefs including: Louise Varley from Hideaway in Ramsbottom, Mini Sankar from Sanmini's in Ramsbottom, Simon Stanley from Damson in Heaton Moor, John Thompson from Cicchetti in Manchester City Centre and Eric Moreux from 63 Degrees in the Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre.

In total there were 15 categories and the judging process was overseen by a panel of independent judges.

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival is a nationally acclaimed event that has developed to its current level over the past 15 years. Conceived and developed by Phil Jones in 1998, the event originated as a means of showing the rest of the nation that there was more to Manchester dining than meat pies and gravy!

In the 10 festivals that have taken place over that time, the festival has achieved a national status. Over the years the festival has drawn names as diverse as Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Fergus Henderson, Michel Roux, John Torode and Bill Wyman! The MFDF awards are recognised as the most important in the region.

Festival Director Siobhan Hanley commented: “The standard of the food and drink industry in Manchester continues to reach new heights. With new venues opening, and examples of innovation being seen all over the region, it has been a real delight for our judging team to review the best of the best."

Earlier this month, Nutter’s was host venue to ‘Art of Five Senses’ to raise funds for the Mayor’s charities. This year’s mayor, Councillor Jim Gartside who also represents Norden as a councillor told us: “This comes as no surprise to anyone locally that Andrew has won this award because he is quite simply, phenomenal.

“I am totally delighted. This is great news for Andrew, for Norden and for Rochdale. I have always found Andrew to be very generous with his support and time whenever I have been to events held at his restaurant.

"This award is very richly deserved and brings credit not just to him personally but to his restaurant and to its staff.”