OUR OWN FULL MENU OF EVENTS THIS SUMMER...
CITYLIFE ROUNDS UP WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO EAT ACROSS THE NORTH WEST
IF you love food - you’ll love this. We’ve mashed together a massive bundle of food festivals taking place across the north west this summer. From bake-offs to barbecues there’s a treat to tantalise everyone’s taste buds.
Get stuck in.
Manchester Thai Festival, Platt Fields Park Tomorrow (Saturday June 30)
Manchester Thai Festival is returning to Platt Fields Park, with even more traditional treats up for grabs. Set to give guests a cultural experience, there’ll be the chance to taste some popular Thai cuisine and take part in live cooking demonstrations. There will also be a ‘I’m British Get Me Out Of Here!’ eating competition, Thai beer, and even Thai boxing. Tickets cost £4 and can be purchased from www.skiddle.com. Platt Fields Park, Manchester M14
The Big Grill, Bury July 14 - 15
If you like your meat cooked slow, served with a side of acoustic strings then this is the festival for you. The big grill festival UK is taking place From July 14 -15 and will see Burrs Park in Bury transformed into one hell of a meat lovers shin dig. Amongst epic scale barbecues, meat smokers, sizzling street food vendors, craft ale and quirky cocktail bars, willing participants can also take part in some epic food challenges - including the ‘Hot Dog Heist’ and the ‘Grim Reaper Chilli Challenge.’ Weekend tickets can be purchased from thebiggrilluk.com and prices start from £21.40. Woodhill Road, Bury, Lancashire BL8 1DA
Festejar, Manchester Albert Square August 31 to September 3
The sangria will be flowing as Festejar brings its four-day Spanish fiesta back to Manchester. Restaurants from around the city will be decamping to the square on Saturday to give free Spanish cooking masterclasses, while salsa master Roger FC will be hosting free dance workshops. Later in the evening, festival-goers can put their new dance moves into practice as Peruvian musician Tocha takes to the stage with his band for a Latin party night. The festival is open from 11am to 11pm each day and is free to attend. ■ Albert Square, Manchester, M2 4JW
Manchester Food and Drink Festival, Albert Square September 27 - October 8
Manchester Food and Drink festival is celebrating its 21st birthday this year, which means we’re expecting a huge celebration - hopefully with even more cake. The event takes place in Albert Square, where you’ll find the huge beer tent, street food stalls, the chef theatre, brewer talks, food and drink authors, wine merchants, and more. This year’s festival will culminate once again in the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards, which recognise the best restaurants, bars, pubs and people in the industry. The event is free to attend. Visit foodanddrinkfestival.com for more information. Albert Square, Manchester, M2 4JW
Pub in the Park, Knutsford September 7 - 9
Pub in the Park will be heading to Knutsford in September to bring a glorious three day feast with the very best food the country has to offer. Tom Kerridge and his merry band of foodie friends will be touring the country with a stellar line up of worldclass chefs, Michelin-starred pubs, plus a selection of other top UK pubs and restaurants to serve their most popular dishes. Combined with great live music, chef demonstrations, shopping and other festival fun, it has all the ingredients for the perfect foodie experience. Adult tickets start from £26.75 and can be bought from pubintheparkuk. com. The Lambing Shed, Moseley Hall Farm, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8RB TURN TO PAGE 10
Pilcrow EATS!, Sadler’s Yard Throughout July and August
The Pilcrow - that pub in Sadler’s Yard that was built by the hand of Mancunians in a series of workshops - has invited a series of street food traders to feed pub-goers this summer. First up on July 6 will be Wallace and Sons, who specialise in Asian street food such as homemade bao buns and gyoza. They’ll have a different trader every Friday throughout July and August, including Blue Caribou Canteen, Mac Daddies, and The Otto-Men. Food will be served from midday until 9pm, or until it runs out - whichever comes first. Pilcrow Pub, Hanover Street, Sadler’s Yard, M60 0AB
Macclesfield Food and Drink Festival June 30
A bustling food and drink festival is taking place in Macclesfield next month - set to bring a buzz to the market town. The picturesque town sits on the banks of the River Bollin, between the Cheshire Plain and the Peak District, making it a great location for a summer day out. The town will be a buzz with food traders, exhibitors and live entertainment amidst the surrounding scenery. The event is free to attend. Visit macclesfieldfoodfestival.co.uk for more information. Macclesfield Town Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 1EA
Rochdale Feel Good Festival August 18
Rochdale town centre will be transformed for its annual Feel Good Festival, with a main stage by the town hall and a food and drink court with dozens of stalls. The Food Court next to the Town Hall will be open for elevenses, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. There will be dishes to try from Manchester street food traders along with pop up gin and prosecco bars. To top it off, there will be live music and family entertainment throughout the day.
The event is free to attend. Visit rochdale.gov.uk/feelgoodfestival for more information.
Manchester Pizza and Prosecco Festival, Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Trafford Park
After a sell out tour in 2017, the Pizza and Prosecco Festival will hit the road again this year, including a date in at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Trafford Park. Event organisers promise even more fun and fizz, with the addition of a slice of pizza and an Aperol Spritz cocktail free with every ticket. Also new for 2018, the festival will be hosted by a drag act, as well as various pizza and prosecco related games, with prizes to be won. Choose Brunch or evening sessions, with tickets available at prices ranging from £9.99 to £19.99.
Visit pizzaandproseccouk. eventbrite.com to find out more. Longbridge Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1SN
Cocktails in the City, city centre September 14-15
Relocating to Manchester Town Hall for 2018, Cocktail in the City is a jam packed evening of live music, cocktails, food and demonstrations to entertain any fan of a perfectly mixed drink. There will be a range of food and lifestyle experiences for visitors to take part in, including four cocktail demonstrations throughout the evening. There are around 20 bars taking part and the location will be confirmed nearer the time. The tickets cost £15, and for that you will gain entry, a cocktail and book. Any additional cocktails and private tastings are £6.50 each on the night. Visit cocktailsinthecity.com/ events/manchester for more.
Rum and Reggae Festival, Bowlers Exhibition Centre August 11 -12
A huge rum and reggae festival sets off on a UK tour this summer including a date at Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre. Tickets are now on sale for the celebration, which will feature a wide selection of rum, reggae and a variety of traditional Caribbean food. Guests will be taken on a rum journey around the world, hosted by the Reggae Sound System, as they taste rare craft rums and foods from the West Indies, South America, Australia, the Philippines, Mauritius and other locations. Tickets are now on sale from eventbrite.com priced from £17.83. Longbridge Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1SN
Foodie Open Day, Victoria Baths Sunday July 8
‘At The Kitchen’ is taking over the Victoria Baths Foodie Open Day, set to bring the venue alive with tasty cooking demos and workshops. The event takes place in the Turkish Hot Rooms where the team will be showing foodies how to make Vietnamese Summer
Spring Rolls and Californian Sushi Rolls, along with a matching sweet dessert. The Foodie Open Day celebrates the very best of Manchester’s eclectic food offer and vibrant culinary scene, with the chance to explore the Grade II listed Victoria Baths. The At The Kitchen sessions are 30 minutes long, with the first starting at 12:30pm, and the last at 5:30pm. Entry to the VB Foodie Open Day is £4, which is payable on the door, and doors open at 12 noon. More information on the VB Foodie Open Day is here -victoriabaths.org.uk Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FE
Manchester Eats, Heaton Park July 7 -8
Heaton Park will host Manchester Eats this July, the first ever food and drink festival to exhibit at the historical, grade II-listed grounds. Giving foodie fanatics a two-day weekend of sheer indulgence, attendees will explore international tastes, devour instaworthy sweet treats, sip on funky craft ales, experience superlative gin infusions and shop artisan market goods. Expect to sample treats from Northern favourites including Manchester Gin, York Roast Co and Treaty Pie. There will also be a celebrity chef’s demonstration theatre and cocktail masterclasses. Tickets start from £7.50, and under 14s go free. For more information visit www. manchestereats.co.uk Heaton Park, Manchester
Social Sunday, Hispi July 1
Elite Bistro’s of the World will be running a special menu for the evening at four restaurants this July; Sticky Walnut, Burnt Truffle, Hispi and Wreckfish. The event, in aid of Hospitality Action, will include a specially designed five course feast with all profits going to charity. Dishes on the innovative menu include charred bavette steak, dill pickled green tomato, maitake and white cabbage, and halibut, romaine lettuce, parsley, lemon and elderflower sauce. The price of your ticket covers the cost of the 5 course menu, and an optional drinks flight will also be available. The evening will start at 7pm and guests will be seated on communal tables, in keeping with the social aspect of the evening. Visit www.hispi.net. Hispi, 1C School Lane, Manchester M20 6RD
Fylde Coast Food and Drink Festival Sunday August 12
Marine Hall in Fleetwood will again host the Fylde Coast Food and Drink Festival. The festival will be bigger this year - taking over the whole of the Fleetwood venue including the impressive main ballroom and outside the colonnade. There will be cooking demonstrations, samples to try and food and drink to buy. The event is free and takes place from 10am-4pm.
Visit www.marinehall.co.uk, The Esplanade, Fleetwood FY7 6HF
The Liverpool Food and Drink Festival 15-16 September
This foodie festival takes place in Autumn, and will pack Liverpool with street food, markets craft beers and even a gin garden. With some top partners - including funky pizza joint Crazy Pedros this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever before as it celebrates its 10th birthday. The tasty weekender takes place in Sefton park and tickets are currently on sale from £7. Visit septemberliverpool foodanddrinkfestival.co.uk Sefton Park, Mossley Hill Dr, Liverpool L17 1AJ
Formby Food Festival, Duke Street Park July 20 -22
The Formby Festival of Food, Drink and Music take place this summer, with a line up of family activities and food demonstrations. For the kids, expect cooking sessions, magic shows, circus skills, balloon modelling, face painting, bracelet making, hook a duck, games, tag rugby, and arts and crafts. For the adults there will be chef demonstrations, live music, an extensive farmers market with great bargains on food and drink. This festival, just north of Liverpool, is located near Formby Beach, Village, and the National Trust Red Squirrel Reserve. Highlights of the weekend include a Robbie Williams tribute act on the Friday and a Cilla Black tribute on the Saturday. There’s also a firework display on the Saturday night. Duke Street Park, Duke Street, Formby, Merseyside, L37 4AN
Wine and Cheese Tasting, Castlefield Hotel July 27
For those who love nothing more than a large glass of red and a cheeseboard, this is for you. On the night, guests will match six carefully selected wines with an inspired choice of artisan cheeses. Experts will select wines from all over the world, both red and white to complement the flavour of the cheese. Tickets are currently on sale at £33 and the event takes place from 7-9pm. The Castlefield Hotel, Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4JR
Botany Bay Canal Fest, Chorley August 26-27
The Botany Bay Canal Fest is back for its third year, with a whole host of food, drink, and family fun. To keep things lively, expect local musicians, artists, and tons of food and drink vendors selling
FROM PAGE 11 local treats. Over the weekend, there’ll be boat rides with Boatel Party Cruises, canoeing experiences, hook a duck, classic car display, vintage bus rides, Official Silcocks Fun Fairs and Bennys Bumper Boats. There’s free entry and free parking, and even a free shuttle bus service running from Chorley town centre.
Visit botanybay.co.uk/canal-fest, Canal Mill Botany Bay, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 9AF
Great British Food Festival, Arley Hall September 22 - 23
The Great British Food Festival is taking place at Arley Hall in September, with some of the best grub from across the country. There will be an artisan market, street food, a variety of new and innovative drinks - and even a Great British ‘cake off’. Tickets start from £5 and there’s 50% off for a limited time. Visit greatbritishfoodfestival.com.
Arley Hall, Arley, Northwich CW9
Bradford Vegan Festival, Bradford City Football Club September 2
Bradford Vegan Festival is popping up Bradford City Football Club for its second annual event celebrating the meat-free lifestyle which continues to grow in popularity. Guests can taste some of the best vegan food in the area, listen to the festival’s key note speakers, and chat to like minded people. There will be free samples, discounts, food tasting, vegan food stalls including chocolate, cheese, cakes, takeaway food, animal sanctuaries, clothing and crafts. There will also be talks and cookery demonstrations from top vegan foodies. Admission is £2 in advance or £3 on the door for adults and £1 for children. Under 5s and carers go free. The event takes place from 7pm -10pm and you can register at eventbrite. co.uk
Bradford City Football Club, Valley Parade, Bradford, BD8 7DY