Ian Piper, of Pipers, on High Street, is up against some of the UK and Ireland's top chefs for the coveted award, including Enzo Mauro (Stock Restaurant, Manchester), Harry Yeung (Yang Sing, Manchester), Michael Deane (Deane's Restaurant, Belfast) and Paul O'Hara (Bridge Inn, Barnard Castle, County Durham).

Also hoping to take home silverware on the night are Lancashire restaurants Walled Garden (Barton), Nigel Smiths (Wrea Green) and MJ's (Darwen), which are all nominated for Best North West Restaurant.

The Hi-Life Dining Awards, in association with Secured Mail, honours Hi-Life restaurants and chefs throughout the UK and Ireland, with nominees and winners voted for by members of Hi-Life Diners Club, the UK and Ireland's largest dining club, which offers two for one dining for all members.

The awards evening, known as the HiLDAs, is at Manchester's Hilton Hotel on January 29.