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