Manchester restaurant with months-long waiting list wins top award DAYS after opening

New Manchester restaurant Skof has only been open for a week - but it has already claimed its first top industry award. The restaurant is the debut solo venture from chef Tom Barnes and is based in an historic former drapery in the Hanover Building in the city centre.

Now, Skof has been given the "One to Watch" Award at the prestigious National Restaurant Awards 2024. The awards were announced in London on Monday night.

Tom was formerly executive chef at Simon Rogan's three Michelin Star restaurant L'Enclume in Cumbria. So bringing his first restaurant to Manchester has sparked feverish excitement among foodies.

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So much so that when reservations first opened for the venue, there was a huge clamour to book. Now you can't get a table for MONTHS.

The next available bookings are for mid-September - with June, July and August now operating a waiting list for table cancellations. The restaurant serves 12 course or 16 course tasting menus for £120 or £165 in the evenings, or there is also a £50 lunch option.

Announcing Skof's award on Instgram on Monday night, judges said: "This year’s One to Watch is @skof_manchester. The first restaurant by @cheftombarnes is a personal affair that looks set to make its mark on Manchester’s restaurant scene."

Skof shared a video of Tom collecting his award as the announcer says: "Taking up the entire ground floor of a handsome former textile warehouse in the city's NOMA district, Tom Barnes' debut restaurant Skof takes the concept of the open plan restaurant to the extreme.

"Barnes is a huge talent having spent the past decade working for farm-to-fork maestro Simon Rogan. Expectations are