Special achievement award for Michael O'Hare as NRB announce top 50 Northern Power List 2016

The Northern Restaurant and Bar announce top 50 Northern Power List 2016 with Michael O'Hare, Simon Rogan and Gary Usher all making the list. 

Three special achievement awards were presented to Michael O’Hare of The Man Behind The Curtain, Mohammed Aslam MBE of Aagrah Restaurants, and the Mission Mars team made up of Roy Ellis, Neil Macleod, Joel Wilkinson, Adelaide Winter and Dan Mullen.

This year's top 50 includes a mix of established names along with nine new entries and three special achievement awards. The leading trade exhibition, Northern Restaurant and Bar, also reveals 90% of those on the list plan on expanding over the next 12 months.

In a recent survey by NRB and CGA Peach, Newcastle was revealed as the most 'restauranty' city in the North which also highlighted how close the leading Northern cities are getting to London.

Thom Hetherington, CEO of organisers Holden Media, said: “We received a record number of entrants to the NRB Top Fifty this year, making the judging an arduous but ultimately very rewarding process."

He continued, “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."

>>> Related: Newcastle is the North's most 'restauranty' city

Those who made the list will receive VIP invitations to events including the exclusive NRB Debate and the Too Many Critics Manchester dinner, and become part the NRB Top 50 Alumni association.

The top 50 is conducted by a panel of Northern hospitality experts in hospitality finance, property, law and consultancy and is produced in association with Kuits Solicitors and sponsored by The Russell Partnership, Metis Real Estate and Jelf Manson,

The awards reception, supported by Iberica Spinningfields, took place at 3pm on 16 March at the hospitality exhibition, Northern Restaurant & Bar. The reception also formed part of NRB Fringe including the NRB Debate and Action Against Hunger’s Too Many Critics Manchester dinner.

NRB Top Fifty 2016

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