The cheers echoed through the corridors of Manchester's Midland Hotel as the winners of the Cheshire Life Food & Drink Awards were announced last night.

The cheers echoed through the corridors of Manchester’s Midland Hotel as the winners of the Cheshire Life Food & Drink Awards were announced last night.

The prestigious annual event celebrated the county’s finest hotels, dining pubs, restaurants, food producers and chefs.

Around 300 people filled the Alexandra Suite for the gala evening as Granada Reports presenter, Lucy Meacock, and Cheshire Life food and drink writer, Ray King handed out the awards to the best people in fine dining and hospitality.

There were 14 categories with the winners chosen by a panel of independent judges, comprising Cheshire Life editor Louise Taylor, Lancashire Life editor Roger Borrell, highly regarded Cheshire food consultant Rosemary Watts, Trevor Stone, who headed the AstraZeneca catering operation, Ray King and Philippa James, who runs a successful cookery school and is Lancashire Life’s cookery editor.

The winners were presented with the coveted Cheshire Life Food and Drink Awards plaques to display. But no one left empty handed as of those shortlisted also took home commemorative plates.

A raffle, with prizes including a holiday to the Maldives and a helicopter flight, also raised a massive �3,500 for on of Europe’s leading cancer centres, The Christie in Manchester.

There will be full coverage and a selection of photos of the awards in the December issue of Cheshire Life. Scroll down to view all the photos

Cheshire Hotel of the YearSponsored by Epitome Celebrations

Doubletree by Hilton, Chester

North Wales Hospitality Dining Excellence of the YearSponsored by Prestbury Worldwide Resorts

Kinmel Arms, St George

City Restaurant of the Year – LiverpoolSponsored by R Noone and Sons

Lunya, Liverpool

Cheshire Dining Pub of the YearSponsored by Visit Chester and Cheshire

Bells of Peover, Lower Peover

City Restaurant of the Year – ManchesterSponsored by R Noone and Sons

Rosso, Manchester

Cheshire Restaurant of the YearSponsored by Catering Connections

Michael Caines @ Abode Chester

Cheshire Food Hero of the YearSponsored by e-Foods

Cheshire Smokehouse, Morley Green, Wilmslow

North West Chef of the YearSponsored by Robinsons Brewery

Lisa Allen, Northcote Manor

View all the nominations and videos