Paul Askew and Tim Bacon among winners of 2014 NRB Top 50

The North of England’s most influential hospitality professionals have been recognised in the 2014 Northern Restaurant and Bar Top 50 list.

The NRB Top 50 list consists of individuals from hospitality businesses based in the North who have excelled in their field over the past 12 months, either commercially, critically or through their impact on the wider industry or community.

The list is released as part of the Northern Restaurant & Bar show, being held at Manchester Central on 18-19 March 2014. The Top 50 are chosen by the exhibition organisers and a panel of industry experts from the Russell Partnership.

Each year, three of the Top 50 will receive special achievement awards in recognition of their ‘exceptional accomplishments’.

This year’s special achievement winners are Paul Askew - chef patron of The London Carriageworks and The Art School for his commitment to industry initiatives, Tim Bacon and Jeremy Roberts of Living ventures for the impressive success of the restaurant group, and Marc Wilkinson - chef patron of Restaurant Fraiche for his ‘single-minded pursuit of brilliance’.

Thom Hetherington, managing director of Northern Restaurant & Bar, said: “Many congratulations to our three special achievement winners and all those included in this year’s NRB Top 50.

“This year of improving economic conditions has seen ambition and innovation come to the fore, with a host of new launches from smaller entrepreneurial operators alongside the more established players.”

The 2014 NRB Top 50:      

Paul Askew, chef patron, The London Carriageworks

Mohammed Aslam MBE, owner, Aagrah Group

Tim Bacon, managing director & Jeremy Roberts, commercial director, Living Ventures

Craig Bancroft, joint MD & Nigel Haworth, chef patron, Northcote Manor

John Benson-Smith, consultant chef, Manchester City Football Club

Tim Bilton, chef patron, The Spiced Pear

Ken Buckley, managing director, Bravo Inns

Mark Cain, owner, Velvet

Marie Carter & Beau Myers, owner, Beautiful Drinks

Morgan Davies, founder / joint CEO, Barburrito

Carlo Distefano, vhairman, & Marcello,Distefano, managing director, San Carlo Group

James Douglas & Scott Munro, co-owner / Director, Reds

Mal Evans, director, MOJO Bar

Cleo Farman, owner, Odd Group

Ged Feltham, owner, Leelex

Jobe Ferguson & Ross Mckenzie, director, Blackdog

Duncan Fisher, owner, Apartment Group

David Fox & Nick Jeffrey, owner, Tampopo

Kevin Georgel, managing director, Admiral Taverns

Alex Hannah, director, Lucha Libre

Jonny Heyes, owner, Port Street Beer House

James & Karina Hitchen, managing director, Neighbourhood/Southern 11

Terry Laybourne, chef patron, 21 Hospitality Group

William Lees Jones, managing director, JW Lees

Mike Magrane, general manager, Q Hotels

Colin Manning, managing partner & Gary Manning, chef patron, 60 Hope St

Gary McClarnan, co-owner / managing director, Teacup Kitchen & Teacup Bakery

James Mackenzie, chef patron, Pipe and Glass

Stephen Miles, general manager, Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester

Dave Mooney & Paul Newman, owner, New Moon Pub Company

Joyceln Neve, managing director, Seafood Pub Company

Andrew Nutter, chef patron, Nutters

Eamonn O'Loughlin, owner, Eclectic Hotels

Si Ord, owner, Sandinista

Andrew Pern, chef patron, The Star at Harome

Steve Pilling, director & Simon Stanley, director, Damson Group

Simon Rimmer, chef patron, Greens/Flying Pig and Lobster

Oliver Robinson, managing director & Peter Robinson, chairman, Frederic Robinson

Simon Rogan, chef patron, L'Enclume & Roganic

Jonathan Slater, general manager, Chester Grosvenor

Richard Smith, chef patron, Relax, Eat & Drink

Nick Taplin, managing director, Sanguine Hospitality

Steven Walker, chief executive, Individual Restaurant Company

Jonathan Ward, director, Company Value Ltd

Roger Ward, owner, The Victorian Chop House Company

Marc Wilkinson, chef patron, Restaurant Fraiche

Joel Wilkinson, owner, Trof

Martin Wolstencraft, managing director, Arc Inspirations

James Wrigley, managing director, Fluid Bars

Stewart Yip, owner, Red Chilli