TIME TO TUCK IN!
MANCHESTER FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL BEGINS:
MANCHESTER Food and Drink Festival is back with a bumper banquet of events across the city. The heart of the festivities is moving to a new home in Cathedral Gardens this year, where street food stalls and bars will be clustered around a giant iglooshaped dining dome hosting pop-up restaurants and cookery demonstrations.
The event has pulled in some big names for this year’s programme, which includes a four-course Sunday lunch cooked by Michelinstarred chef and TV favourite Tom Kerridge, who is soon to open his own restaurant at the city’s forthcoming Stock Exchange Hotel.
Tickets for many events have already sold out but there are plenty you can still get your hands on.
Here are some of the best things you can catch this year...
A plant-based evening with John Robb, Shaun Ryder and Bundobust
A vegan feast presided over by Shaun Ryder. Yes, you read that right. The Happy Mondays star will be joined in conversation by broadcaster, musician, journalist and vegan John Robb for a lively discussion about their love of plant-based food and Ryder’s struggle to make the transition from pescatarian to full-time vegan. All that will be accompanied by an Indian street food experience from Manchester favourites Bundobust, paired with vegan beers from the new Bundobust Brewing Co and with a thoroughly Mancunian playlist. Earlier in the day, between 12pm and 4pm, the Dining Dome will be taken over by a vegan kitchen, with demos from MasterChef finalist Jackie Keraney and The Allotment found Matt Nutter, and there’ll be a range of vegan-friendly food and drink on sale in the street food village.
Sunday, September 29, 6pm | The Dining Dome | Tickets £35
A Punch Above: How to make the perfect party tipple with JJ Whitley Move over, molecular mixology - it’s time for the return of a retro cocktail classic: the punch bowl. Jamie Rowe a JJ Whitley gin and vodka ambassador - will show guests how to make the perfect party punch using readily available ingredients at this masterclass. Ticket holders will be greeted with a glass of punch on arrival, before being led through the history of the drink and having a go at making their own.
Tomorrow, 6.30pm | The Dining Dome | Tickets £15
An evening of Rum Decadence with Diablesse
Manchester’s very own Diablesse rum hosts this cocktail masterclass. Gethin Jones, Diablesse brand ambassador and general manager of Northern Quarter bar Cottonopolis, will guide rum fans through a history of the spirit and teach you how to make your own cocktails. Tickets include a cocktail on arrival, a full masterclass and more cocktails to drink afterwards.
Saturday October 5, 6.30pm | The Dining Dome | Tickets £20
MFDF Wine & Fizz Festival
Taking over Manchester Cathedral, this two-day festival will bring wines from around the world together under one impressive grade I listed roof. The festival will be split into four zones: English Wines, Wines of the World, the Fizz Quarter and a Food Matching area serving accompaniments ranging from artisan cheese, mezze and deli platters to chocolate and patisserie. The event will showcase some of Manchester’s best wine merchants and shops alongside brands from around the world.
Friday October 4, 6.30pm to 9pm; and Saturday October 5, 1pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 9pm | Manchester Cathedral | Tickets £15 Best in Town Dinner with Action Against Hunger
Six of the city’s best chefs are combining their culinary might for this charity banquet in aid of Action Against Hunger. The MFDF Awards’ best chef nominees Simon Martin (Mana), Aiden Byrne (restaurant MCR), Sam Buckley (Where The Light Gets In), Miquel Villacrosa (Tast Catala), Omar Rodriguez Marrero (Umezushi) and Adam Reid (Adam Reid at The French) will prepare a six course bespoke tasting menu for the occasion at King Street restaurant Tast.
Tuesday October 1, 7pm | Tast | Tickets £120
Dine with Tom Kerridge at MFDF Renowned chef Tom Kerridge will be leading two Sunday lunch sessions at MFDF, ahead of opening his first Manchester restaurant in the Stock Exchange Hotel. He’ll be cooking two four-course Sunday lunches with specially paired wines.
October 6, 1pm and 6pm | The Dining Dome | Tickets sold out