Awards & accolades
Our Housekeeper Paula Seddon Is Recognised In The AA Housekeeper of the Year Awards 2010
The annual award, now in its third year of running, is sponsored by Northmace & Hendon Limited, manufacturers of specialist products for the professional hotelier, and recognises outstanding commitment and performance, identifying three finalist housekeepers who continue to bring something extra to their role and whose constant diligence merits recognition.
Paula Seddon represented Northcote in the final 3 before missing out to the eventual winner Jovita Kit.
Retention of MICHELIN Star since 1996
Northwest Tourism Awards 2009 
On Monday 28th September 2009, the region’s top tourism businesses and professionals gathered in Blackpool’s famous tower ballroom for the sixth annual England’s Northwest Tourism Awards. Organized by the Northwest Development Agency, the prestigious event aims to drive up the quality of the visitor experience across the region by rewarding excellence in the tourism industry.
A total of 18 accolades were handed out, including the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award presented to Nigel, recognised for his work as an ambassador for the region’s fantastic food.
Square Meal has trawled the length and breadth of the land in search of Britain’s 50 top regional restaurants
Pinning Lancashire firmly on the map
Honest, Lancastrian cooking has won chef Nigel Haworth great acclaim – his classic recipes include the best Lancashire hotpot in the country, while his use of prime local produce lifts simple dishes such as Ribble Valley beef fillet with ox cheeks and braising juices to another level.
Desserts are accomplished, homely creations like ginger pudding with iced double cream and caramel custard. Fourteen rooms are appreciated by those wishing to explore the upbeat selection of wines and Sunday lunch (£30 for four courses) is not to be missed.
Caterer and Hotelkeeper, Cateys 09
Special Award sponsored by Filmbank
It’s
become common place to talk about local sourcing in UK food circles,
But Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft have been championing Lancashire
produce since long before it was fashionable to do so.
Over the past 25 years at their flagship hotel restaurant Northcote (formerly Northcote Manor), situated at Langho on the edge of the Pennine Moors, near Blackburn, Lancashire Hotpot and Herdwick lamb have become as much a part of the furniture as the Edwardian detailing and the array of fireplaces.
Online it’s a similar story, a newly developed website for Northcote now lists five pages of “regional food heroes”, from the poultry supplier Reg Johnsons in Goosnargh to cheese producer Graham Kirkham.
And now the creation of Ribble valley Inns Pub brand has taken the pair’s food to a wider audience. Northcote was awarded a Michelin star in 1996, but in the decade since they’ve opened a pub, The Three Fishes in Mitton, Lancashire in 2004, launched the nearby Highwayman late 2006, and the Clog and Billycock in Pleasington, near Blackburn in 2008.
Then, in June Haworth and Bancroft took the lease for the site near Skipton in Yorkshire, at The Bull at Broughton. It’s a bold step across the Pennine boundaries and set a new challenge for Nigel in researching the regional roots of Yorkshire and the abundance of farmers and suppliers so that the model of Ribble Valley Inns and Nigel’s ethos to regional food remains true. Which in turn will bring the quality of their offering to a larger audience.
Over the years Haworth and Bancroft also developed an outside catering company – Northcote Offsite, which after much success has since been sold. New branding then took shape with Northcote at the rovers remaining the sole catering provider to Blackburn Rovers Football club at Ewood Park feeding up to 1200 for corporate hospitality on match day and throughout the rest of the year for all other events held at Ewood Park. The pair were pleased to announce that this contract now remains in force until 2014.
Haworth was involved with Chefs Sans Frontiers, a group of chefs who promote the North-West of England with demonstrations in paris, Barcelona and London, as well as being a member of the Academy of culinary Arts and British Hospitality Association. Over the years they have had much success with some of their protégées, former Head chef – Warrick Dodds – amercian Express chef of the Year, followed by Jason Birbeck, sous chef winning the same award, the following year.
Bancroft a former Acorn winner, is proud to have seen Stuart Procter, former management Trainee of Northcote achieve the same accolade, with his prestigious role of General manager at The Stafford, London, and both Craig and Nigel were equally delighted when recently Lisa allen was also coveted with this highly respected award in 2007.
The pair have worked their way through the industry too. Born in Accrington, Lancashire, Haworth worked in Grosvenor House Hotel in London and the Royal Berkshire in Ascot, as well as Gleneagles in Perthshire, and in Switzerland under Natalie Viscardie at Switzeizerhof. He took the role as head Chef at Northcote Manor in 1984, becoming a joint managing director and a 50% shareholder in 1989. His now, partner Bancroft was already in place, having arrived at Northcote a year earlier. Already he had spent time as a Trusthouse Forte trainee at the Grosvenor House Hotel, and the Plaza Athenee in Paris, also working at brown’s Hotel and the Westbury in London.
Haworth and Bancroft have managed sustained success at Northcote, but the pair have also taken on new challenges recently, and it’s this quality of building on an outstanding legacy that leads us to give the coveted Special Award to the Northcote duo.
Northcote scoops the British Hospitality Association 2009 Food Award
Press release from the British Hospitality Association – 24 June 2009
Encouraging
local producers and using a plentiful supply of local and home-grown
produce has won Northcote the hospitality industry 2009 Food Award.
Presented by the British Hospitality Association, the national trade association of the hotel and catering industry, the award is sponsored by ASDA and celebrates those hospitality establishments which endeavour to source food locally and promote small, regional producers.
The awards ceremony was held at Grosvenor House, London during the association’s annual luncheon and was attended by over 600 people. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, presented the awards.
Announcing the award, Bob Cotton, BHA’s chief executive, said that since 1983, Northcote’s joint managing directors – Nigel Haworth & Craig Bancroft, had firmly believed in sourcing the freshest produce locally and were currently working closely with many producers and growers to enhance the establishments menus.
“Nigel’s close working relationship gives him the opportunity to be able to find willing partners to grow unusual products that are not readily available and to experiment in the cultivation of innovative and traditional products some of which have been lost for many years.” He said:
“Northcote has been involved in a clear revivial of local food producers and has its own organic garden and gardening staff. It uses its website to recommend suppliers who are all passionate about their business, product, service and overall commitment to the industry”
The award was presented by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London to Northcote’s joint managing director Craig Bancroft, from Paul Kelly, ASDA’s corporate affairs director.
Northcote eclipses London's finest restaurants - It's now the best in Britain... offically!
It's
been a stunning few weeks for Northcote, as we stole the thunder
of London's finest establishments...scooping no less than three
major accolades in rapid succession from some of the most influential
and respected names in the business...including the prestigious
Harden's Guide, Restaurant magazine and The London Restaurant
Awards.
The first came at The London Restaurant Awards. During a glittering celebration at Grosvenor House, Northcote was named as one of the Top 10 Restaurants outside of London. And were proud to find ourselves in spectacular company , with other top 10 names including Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, Restaurant Sat Bains and Raymond Blanc's le Manoir aux Quait Saison.
Making it to the top of the who's who? in restaurants.
The
Restaurant Magazine brought together a gathering of top chefs,
restaurateurs and critics to decide which of the country's top
100 restaurants are the very best. Northcote was placed 8th!,
this time alongside some of London's leading names including Maze,
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, the Square, Michel Roux jnr's Le Gavroche
and Pied a Terre,as well as Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant.
The hugely respected Harden’s Guide for 2009 hit the shelves this week, featuring the findings of no less than 85,000 reports from its reviewers. As for their conclusion.....they voted...
Northcote is offering the best food in
Britain
eclipsing any restaurant in the capital!
Richard Harden, co-editor, says “There is most definitely no simple north south disparity when it comes to dining out. It will certainly come as a surprise to the capital’s chefs to hear that reporters in our national survey find the very best restaurant food of all..in the North West”
Northern Hospitality Awards 08
The North of England has a thriving industry, there are talented individuals, there are outstanding businesses, and the Northern Hospitality Awards have been established to recognise these successes
The award ceremony is held on 7th April and we have been short-listed for:
- Best Chef - Lisa Allen
- Best Wine Offering - Craig Bancroft and Neil Alexander
- Best Pub - The Highwayman at Burrow
Nigel Wins – The Lifetime Achievement Award at the Northern Hospitality Awards 2006
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has consistently been an inspiration within the region, supporting and benefiting every level of the industry through their own success. Nigel was extremely proud and honoured to receive this award at the inaugural Northern Hospitality Awards at the Lowery Hotel.
(CLICK HERE for Extract)
French wines Match Competition - November 2004
Craig Bancroft beat competition from hotels and restaurants nationwide to win the top prize for food and wine matching skills.
Trophee Gosset Celebris 2004 - October 2004
Northcote Manor wins the best North West champagne List.
Nigel Haworth awarded The Prince Philip medal with City & Guilds - July 2004
The highest accolade in recognition of achievments and inspiration given to others in the industry.
Hi-Life
Diners Club "Restaurant of the Year 2004"
Votet the best restaurant in our category, out of over 1,000 partner establishments.
AA Wine List Award 2003
Wine Magazine Sommelier Challenge 2003
Craig Bancroft finalist with the leading point score of 30 - results to be announced in December 2003 issue.
Amercian Express Young Waiter of The Year 2003
Russell Bennett, one of the eight finalists.
American Express Young Chef of The Year 2003
Mark Birchall, one of the eight finalists.
Gordon Ramsay Scholarships 2003
Lisa Allen, regional finalist.
North West Fine Foods Young Chef of The Year 2003
Paul Walker successfully awarded second place.
Hardens Restaurant Guide Great Britain 2003
Special mention in the top ten restaurants.
2002 American Express Young Waiter of The Year
Russell Bennett one of seven finalists for Young Waiter.
2002 American Express Young Chef of The Year
Lisa Allen one of seven finalists for Young Chef of The Year.
1999 voted "Independent Hotel of The Year" by the caterer and Hotelkeeper
The Cateys are peer-group awards; it is the industry judging the industry. Now more than ever, winning a Catey is seen as the most important mark of recognition in an industry that has seen a number of other awards come and go.
1999 - Nigel Haworth, Chef Patron walked away with the prestigious Wedgwood Chef & Potter Trophy for Britain & Irelands Top Chef
The North of England is full of fans who have followed Nigel
's sparkling career with the kind of fervent dedication reserved
for great talents. Long recognised by his own fellow professionals
as the supreme culinary technician. Nigel had to be at his very
best to beat the other eleven supremos taking part.
Nigels award winning Oyster & Cauliflowers Pannacotta with
Beluga Caviar and Roast Mere Partridge, Beetroot, Crepes and Foie
Gras were featured on the A La Carte Menu at Northcote and will
also be re-created for a world wide audience of Gourmets / Connoisseurs
at the fabulous Le Saint Geran Hotel on the island of Mauritius
in June 2000 .
1999 - Nigel Haworth receives first class honours when awarded North West Chef of the Year 1999 for Cheshire, Lancashire & Lake District Magazines
Unlike other awards at the Life Magazine Awards, where there are shortlists, just one name is announced on the Award evening, when Nigel Haworth was praised by the judges for not only the high quality of his cooking but also its emphasis on the re-working of North West recipes to use the best of regional produce.
1999 - Warrick Dodd wins American Express Young Chef of the Year
Warrick , who has been a member of Nigel 's brigade for the last two years, recently promoted to Head Chef beat off competition not only from England but also Scotland , Northern Ireland and Eire to walk off with the top title for under 25s in the industry.
North West Tourist Board Gold Award for quality and service.
Spanish Wine List Award
Awarded by Wines of Spain