Fifty top hospitality professionals from North of England named

Fifty top hospitality professionals have been honoured as the best in their industry in the North of England, as part of the first day of the 2012 Northern Restaurant & Bar show, being held at Manchester Central.

The inaugural NRB Top 50 list was chosen by an anonymous panel of industry experts from associations, educational establishments, media and consultants who have many years' experience in the northern hospitality sector.

The 50 were:

â- Paul Askew, chef-patron, the London Carriageworks
â- Mohammed Aslam, owner, Aagrah Group of Restaurants
â- Tim Bacon, managing director, Living Ventures
â- Craig Bancroft, joint MD, Northcote Manor
â- Jonathan Barker, joint managing director, Mitchells of Lancaster
â- Simon Berry, managing director, English Lakes Hotels
â- Tim Berry, director, English Lakes Hotels
â- Jerry Brunning, owner, Brunning & Price
â- Andrew Buchanan, operations director, Daniel Thwaites
â- Ken Buckley, managing director, Bravo Inns
â- Jake Burger, owner, Jake's Bar & Grill
â- Marie Carter, owner, Socio Rehab
â- James Crawfurd Porter, managing director, Tadcaster Pub Company
â- Lynne D'Arcy, managing director, Trust Inns
â- Morgan Davies, co-owner, Barburrito
â- Carlo Distefano, chairman, San Carlo Group
â- Marcello Distefano, managing director, San Carlo Group
â- Iain Donald, operations director, Individual Restaurant Company
â- Sarah Dunning, chief executive, Westmorland
â- Roy Ellis, chief executive and director, Inventive Leisure
â- Mal Evans, owner, Mojo Bars
â- Anthony Flinn, chef-patron, Anthony's Restaurant
â- David Fox, owner, Tampopo
â- Nigel Haworth, chef-patron, Northcote Manor
â- Paul Heathcote, chef-patron, Heathcotes
â- Chris Hopkins, managing director, Hydes Brewery
â- Nick Jeffrey, owner, Tampopo
â- Richard Kershaw, managing director, Joseph Holts
â- Terry Laybourne MBE, chef-patron, 21 Hospitality Group
â- William Lees Jones, managing director, JW Lees
â- Neil Macleod, director, Inventive Leisure
â- Beau Myers, owner, Socio Rehab
â- Paul Newman, partner, the Lord Binning Pub & Kitchen/the New Moon Pub Co
â- Eammon O'Loughlin, owner, Eclectic Hotels
â- Si Ord, owner, Sandinista
â- Andrew Pern, chef-patron, Star at Harome
â- Clive Preston, chairman, Amber Taverns
â- Graham Price, owner, Brunning & Price
â- Jeremy Roberts, commercial director, Living Ventures
â- Oliver Robinson, commercial director, Frederic Robinson
â- Peter Robinson, chairman, Frederic Robinson
â- Simon Rogan, chef-patron, L'Enclume & Roganic
â- Jonathan Slater, managing director, the Chester Grosvenor
â- Richard Smith, chef-patron, Relax Eat & Drink
â- Steven Walker, CEO, Individual Restaurant Company
â- Roger Ward, owner, the Victorian Chophouse Company
â- Joel Wilkinson, owner, Trof
â- Martin Wolstencroft, managing director, Arc Inspirations
â- Stewart Yip, owner, Red Chilli

Thom Hetherington (pictured, left), managing director of Northern Restaurant & Bar, said: "I'd like to extend my congratulations once again to all those featured on this prestigious list: your hard work and expertise helps to maintain the fantastic reputation our hospitality industry has earned.

"Despite a tough economic landscape, the region's food and drink sector has remained resilient and the NRB Top 50 is a great way to recognise and reward those who have not just survived but thrived during these challenging times. The NRB Top 50 will be back at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2013, where we hope to see it evolve and grow further."

More than 180 exhibitors have gathered at Manchester Central for the 11th two-day Northern Restaurant & Bar show at Manchester Central. Brewers, hoteliers, publicans, catering suppliers, food producers, Michelin-starred chefs, restaurateurs and bartenders from across the North of England showcased everything from beer cocktails and artisan breads to EPoS solutions and furniture.

Michelin-starred chef James Mackenzie (pictured, right)Â of the Pipe & Glass Inn in East Yorkshire also signed copies of his new book, On the Menu, after his cooking demonstration at the Chef Live theatre. On the Menu is a comprehensive reference guide and inspirational collection of 74 recipes with step-by-step instructions on everything from how to make dishes, such as beer braised oxtails with deep-fried oyster fritter, to a simple but perfect chocolate brownie.

By Neil Gerrard

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