My Manchester George Farrugia
MANCHESTER born and bred, George Farrugia worked at restaurants including Room on King Street, before moving to London to work for legendary French chef Pierre Koffmannat his eponymous restaurant based in The Berkeley Hotel.
After this, he worked for several years under Eric Chavot at Brasserie Chavot (where the restaurant won a Michelin star) and then as head chef at Bob Bob Ricard.
George is currently head chef of Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden in London, but is competing in Great British Menu representing the North West. George’s style of cooking has British and European influences, from his Italian and Cypriot heritage.
Here, he lets us in on some of his favourite Manchester places and memories.
My earliest memory of Manchester is... I remember meeting up with some of my friends after school or on weekends and playing football until it was dark, and still try to play even then.
My favourite place to eat in Manchester is... My mum’s house. I’m not in Manchester as often as I should be or would like to be, but whenever I’m in town you definitely can’t beat mum’s cooking. But if I had to choose a restaurant it would be Adam Reid at the French; I went on a date with my fiancee and we had a great time.
My favourite Manchester bar or nightclub is... It’s been a long time since my nightclubbing days, but I remember back in the day M2 and Baby Grand was always a good shout; I was there every weekend. But nowadays I like to chill in Spinningfields, especially the Oast
House.
My favourite place to shop in Manchester is... My favourite place to shop would be Market Street in the city centre on a sunny day (not that sun happens that often, it is Manchester after all). Then after have pint with my mates in the Triangle [now the Corn Exchange].
The last gig or show I saw in Manchester was... Fatboy Slim at Warehouse Project... from what I remember, it was a class night.
My favourite hidden gem in Manchester is... My hidden gem find in Manchester would have to be Symposium bar in Wilmslow, for the live music and cocktails.
The best Manchester band of all time is... It may sound like a cliche, but it would have to be Oasis.
Manchester has everything except... It’s missing me coming back to Manchester to open my own restaurant!
People’s biggest misconception about Manchester is... The biggest misconception in Manchester is that people don’t think we dance in the rain; they think the rain dampens our spirits when really, rain, sleet, or snow, Manchester keeps moving forward.
The thing I love most about Manchester is... The people, especially as I’m not living there at the moment so I do get homesick. I know because of the people I met at various points in my life in Manchester made a big difference to everyday life situations. Mancs are a part of me!
● Great British Menu started on Wednesday, March 18 and runs for nine weeks with episodes every Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a half-hour regional final every Friday.