North West Restaurants Shine in National Restaurant Awards

Strategic Insights -

In a ceremony attended by top chefs, restaurateurs, and food writers, the National Restaurant Awards recognized the best of the UK's eating out scene. Launched in 2007, the awards celebrate the country's culinary excellence, rewarding outstanding restaurants, chefs, and front-of-house staff. This year's list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK includes five North West venues, all within an hour's drive from Warrington, highlighting the region's thriving food scene.

Key Takeaways:

  • Moor Hall in Aughton, run by Mark Birchall, came second in the National Restaurant Awards, improving its ranking from last year and just missing out on the top spot.
  • Mark Birchall was named Chef of the Year after achieving his third Michelin star at Moor Hall in February.
  • Higher Ground in Manchester ranked 36 on the list, with a focus on regenerative farming and local produce, and around 90% of its ingredients sourced from Cinderwood farm in Nantwich.
  • Skof in Manchester, led by former L'Enclume executive chef Tom Barnes, moved from last year's "One to Watch" to number 60, offering two tasting menus and a four-course lunch menu rooted in hyper-seasonal British produce.
  • L'Enclume in Cartmel, run by Simon Rogan, came in at number 35, with the majority of its produce grown on its 12-acre nearby farm and the team rearing its own meat, including cows, chickens, and pigs.
  • SÊì--lÊì in Aughton, Tim Allen's first solo venture, ranked 86, with a strong focus on local and artisanal food producers and a six-course menu incorporating international culinary influences.

Statistics:

  • 5 North West restaurants were named in the top 100, with Moor Hall coming second and Skof lifting from 2024's "One to Watch".
  • Mark Birchall has achieved his third Michelin star at Moor Hall, with the venue producing almost everything in-house, including bread, beer, dairy, and charcuterie.
  • Higher Ground sources around 90% of its ingredients from Cinderwood farm in Nantwich.
  • Skof offers two tasting menus and a four-course lunch menu, all based on hyper-seasonal British produce.
  • L'Enclume has a 12-acre farm nearby and the team rears its own meat from cows, chickens, and pigs.

Sources:

  • The National Restaurant Awards
  • Mark Birchall's Moor Hall restaurant
  • Higher Ground restaurant
  • Skof restaurant
  • Simon Rogan's L'Enclume restaurant
  • SÊì--lÊì restaurant
  • The Warrington Guardian