RECENT award wins have proved that Ramsbottom is the place to go for the best food and drink according to the winners.

Levanter and Eagle and Child both scooped awards at the annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival awards dinner.

Mediterranean eatery Levanter won new award neighbourhood restaurant of the year which is aimed at recognising establishments based in the suburbs of Greater Manchester.

Owners Joe and Fiona Botham were surprised to have won having come up against “strong” competition in their category including their other Ramsbottom restaurant Baraxturi.

Mr Botham said: “It was really exciting for us, we weren’t expecting. The festival is where we started out years ago with a pop up shop so to come back and win is just great.

“There was a bit of banter between our staff at the two restaurants over who should win but they all get on well and it was just a bit of fun.

“I think the awards have shown that Ramsbottom is a destination for people who want good food and drink. That is one of the reasons why we opened up there.

“It is amazing for the town to have places that are winning awards.”

Also winning at the ceremony was Whalley Road pub Eagle and Child who scooped food pub of the year.

Owner of the restaurant Glen Duckett said: “We were delighted. It is testimony to the hard work of the team in the kitchen and the excellent customer service.

“Having won this again after winning in 2014 it is testament to our high quality status as one of the best food pubs in Greater Manchester

“It proves that what we are doing is right and at the highest standards. When you consider how we run the business, as a social enterprise supporting young people in work, it proves that that can be a success.

“We were not expecting to win because of the calibre of the other nominees and the fact that we had won before so when our name was read out it was a great surprise.”

The awards which were in their 19th year celebrate Greater Manchester’s best restaurants, bars, pubs and hospitality staff.