Food festival team serves up success

THE Town Hall Square drew the crowds over the Bank Holiday weekend for Rochdale’s first Street Eat event.

Visitors flocked to the town centre on Saturday and Sunday to have their tastebuds tickled at the street food festival as well as enjoying live music and entertainment in the sunshine.

The event, organised by Rochdale Town Centre Management and supported by the council, showcased local restaurants, artisan food vans, a music stage, suppliers and producers – as well as a pop-up bar.

There was music, beer and cuisines including Spanish, Italian, Chinese, English, German, American and more.

Mark Foxley from Rochdale Town Centre Management said: “Overall the weather was kind to us and the feedback from traders has been excellent. There were lots of families out and about enjoying the entertainment as well as the food and the atmosphere was superb. I wanted the event to show off our town’s food scene and we certainly did that.”

Restaurants serving up dishes at the event included La Mancha, Red and Hot World Buffet, Cocka DoodleMoo. Vicolo del Vino, Quirky Catering and The Art Café.

Revolution 96.2 hosted 10 live music performances including The Funky Two Hats, guitar soloist Jimi Marsh and acoustic guitarist Lee Feeney. Uncle Monkey played rock and folk covers and Gemma Fox belted out rock classics. Manchester’s Ant Sorah brought the event to a close on Sunday evening with indie covers.

Ales from Rochdale’s Pictish Brewery and Serious Brewers were also on offer

There were activities and rides for the children, including Punch and Judy Shows and guest appearances by Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.