The list - which recognises the North’s ‘most significant and influential’ figures in hospitality – was unveiled at a ceremony in Manchester this afternoon (16 March).
Several industry figures were also presented with special achievement awards.
Michael O’Hare was chosen after winning Leeds’s first Michelin-star for his restaurant the Man Behind the Curtain in 2015.
Mohammed Aslam – owner of Aagrah restaurants - was recognised for building a 14-strong restaurant group across the North and founding the South Asian Chef Competition.
The five-strong Mission Mars team were selected after their new bar and restaurant Albert’s Schloss in Manchester achieved a record financial performance.
Thom Hetherington, CEO of event organisers Holden Media, said: “There has been an influx of national brands to the North in the last year but if anything that seems to behave spurred the region’s operators onto ever higher levels.
“Restaurants and bars created right here in the North are redefining what can be achieved in the local food and drink scene, both creatively and commercially, it is quite simply the best time ever to be a Northern foodie.”
The NRB Top Fifty 2016 in full:
Martin Ainscough, Owner, Ainscoughs
Mark Andrew, Managing Director, Mark Andrew Developments
Sax, Arshad, Director, Mughli
Haz Arshad, Director, Mughli
Paul Askew, Chef Patron, The Art School
Mohammed Aslam MBE, Owner, Aagrah Group
Tim Bacon, Chairman, Living Ventures
Paul Moran, Managing Director, Living Ventures
Jeremy Roberts, CEO, Living Ventures
Craig Bancroft, Managing Director, Northcote
Nigel Haworth, Chef Patron, Northcote
Ken Buckley, Managing Director, Bravo Inns
Marie Carter, Director, Beautiful Drinks
Beau Myers, Director, Beautiful Drinks
Sue Crimes, MD, Gusto
Morgan Davies, Founder / CEO, Barburrito
Jimmy del Giudice, Operations Director, Revolution Bars Group plc
Mark McQuater, CEO, Revolution Bars Group plc
Carlo Distefano, Chairman, San Carlo Group
Marcello Distefano, Managing Director, San Carlo Group
James Douglas, Co Owner / Director, Reds True BBQ
Scott Munro, Co Owner / Director, Reds True BBQ
Roy Ellis, Director, Mission Mars
Neil Macleod, Director, Mission Mars
Dan Mullen, Director, Mission Mars
Joel Wilkinson, Director, Mission Mars
Adelaide Winter, Director, Mission Mars
John, Ennis, Owner, Graffitti Spirit
Matthew, Farrell, Owner, Graffitti Spirit
Nick, Thomas, Owner, Graffitti Spirit
Ged Feltham, CEO, Leelex
Paul Lane, Managing Director, Leelex
Jobe Ferguson, Director, Blackdog Ballroom
Lyndon Higginson, Director, Blackdog Ballroom
Ross Mackenzie, Director, Blackdog Ballroom
Duncan Fisher, Owner, Apartment Group
Kit Graves, Director, Lake District Hotels
Charles Graves, Director, Lake District Hotels
Dan, Hope, Sales & Marketing Director, Lake District Hotels
Chri, Hill, Managing Director, New World Trading Company
Chris Hopkins, MD, Hydes Brewery
Matthew Jones, Managing Director, Jones Bar Group
Ben Jones, Operations & Finance Director, Jones Bar Group
Kim Kaewkraikhot, Chairwoman, Thai Leisure Group
Martin Stead, Owner, Thai Leisure Group
Peter Kinsella, Founder, Lunya
Elaine Kinsella, Founder, Lunya
Terry Laybourne, Owner, 21 Hospitality Group
William Lees Jones, Managing Director, JW Lees
James MacKenzie, Chief Proprietor, Pipe and Glass
Mike Magrane, General Manager, The Midland Hotel
Colin Manning, Managing Partner, 60 Hope St
Gary Manning, Chef Patron, 60 Hope St
Tomas, Maunier, Director, Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill
Robert Melman, Director, Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill
Stephen, Miles, General Manager, Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester
Dave Mooney, Co Owner & Chef Patron, New Moon Co
Paul Newman, Managing Director, New Moon Co
Lucy Nelson, Sales & Marketing Director, Nelson Hotels
Andrew Nelson, Operations Director, Nelson Hotels
Joycelyn Neve, Managing Director, Seafood Pub Company
Michael O'Hare, Chef-Patron, The Man Behind the Curtain
Eamonn O'Loughlin, Owner, Eclectic Hotels
Si Ord, Owner, Sandinista
Andrew Pern, Owner / Executive Chef, The Star at Harome/Star Inn The City
Steve Pilling, Co Owner, Damson Group
Simon Stanley, Co Owner, Damson Group
Jonathan Poole, Director, Red and Blue
Paddy Smith, Director, Red and Blue
Oliver, Robinson, Managing Director, Frederic Robinson
Simon Rogan, Co Owner, Umbel Restaurant Group
Richard Smith, Chef Patron, Relax, Eat & Drink/ Brewkitchen
Franco Sotgiu, Co-Owner, Solita
Chris Ure, Owner, Arc Inspirations
Martin Wolstencroft, Managing Director / Owner, Arc Inspirations
Gary Usher, Owner, Sticky Walnut
Steven Walker, CEO, Individual Restaurants
Roger Ward, Owner, The Victorian Chophouse Company
Marc Wilkinson, Chef Patron, Restaurant Fraiche