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Lisa Higginson It may have been Christopher Columbus’ discovery of cocoa in the 16th Century that first brought the decadence of chocolate to these shores, but it is a small Lancashire town that has put the indulgent ingredient on the foodie map. Ramsbottom has established itself as the country’s number one chocolate destination following the launch of a dedicated festival ...

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Lisa Higginson Swap your pint of porter for a glass of Danish brew at a special event being hosted at KRO2 tomorrow (Wednesday. The Oxford Road bar is hosting a Danish Beer Tasting event and offering customers the chance to discover the delights of three of the country’s micro breweries. A selection of eight Danish beers will be available to sample and knowledge of the forei...

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Neil Sowerby Siphons we usually associate with soda, but a new Northern Quarter coffee shop/art gallery is reviving their association with coffee making. If news of Grindsmith on Hilton Street (opposite the tropical fish shop) hasn’t percolated (sic) into your conscience yet, it’s because it is early days for enterprising co-owners Ben Young and Neil Greenhalgh. Last Mon...

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Lisa Higginson Food and romance are the perfect partnership. They go blissfully together like sunshine and seasides, Sunday mornings and sleep-ins, spritzers and sundown. We’ve all heard about oysters’ ability to ‘light your fire’, or at least get it smouldering, and did you know that a sniff of an almond is said to spark all sorts of desires in a woman? Even aniseed h...

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Alison Gardner Manchester Food & Drink Festival and Food Futures are proud to announce the launch of an exciting new award, Food Futures Truly Good Food. Food Futures Truly Good Food aims to become a well respected and valued indication of good food values, both for consumers and eating establishments and an exciting new partnership has been established between MFDF and Manche...

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Lisa Higginson It is hailed as the most important meal of the day and divides the nation into toast, cereal, cooked and continental camps – it is, of course, the beloved breakfast. We have come a long way since the first breakfast cereal was created in 1863 (anyone for a bowl of dense bran nuggets soaked overnight in water to become chewable?), so there is no better way to ce...

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Lisa Higginson Flavours of Britain are the focus of a new menu launched at stylish city centre eatery Opus One. Nestled inside the grandeur surroundings of the Radisson Edwardian hotel, the scarlet-hued restaurant’s new season menu is being served with a large pinch of patriarchy as head chef Russ Brown pays tribute to Great British ingredients. Featuring locally sourced p...

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Lisa Higginson Acclaimed Lancastrian eatery Northcote has received a prestigious nod in recognition of its culinary prowess. The Langho-based restaurant was announced as a runner-up in the Remy Martin XO Excellence Awards, which highlight the overall best restaurants across the UK. The award is a result of painstaking analysis of the survey of 8,000 diners for the publication...

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Lisa Higginson Manchester’s very first wine school was launched this week, offering a unique opportunity for pupils with a penchant for the drop to learn more. The school is the fruit of Cheshire man Chris Green’s labour and will run a variety of courses, from two-hour evening tastings and all day introductory sessions with lunch to an eight-week World Tour course. Ex-...

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Alison Gardner As the dawn of 2010 breaks, UK winemakers can pour themselves a celebratory glass to recognise a vintage end to the last decade, following one of the best harvests on record. Close to perfect weather conditions caused exceptional fruit quality containing some of the highest sugars ever recorded along with good acids and free of botrytis. Although yields vari...

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Lisa Higginson Russ brown is making a name for himself behind the hotplate of Manchester’s stylish Radisson Edwardian Hotel and its Opus One restaurant. Here he reveals the secret behind being a top chef and what he loves to eat when he’s not busy cooking up a storm in the Opus One kitchen as he answers ToM’s Five Questions For……. 1. What inspired you go into t...

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Tasty treats were in abundance in Cheshire last night (November 25) with Riverford Organic doing a taste session. Not only were their vegetable boxes put to good use, there were samples of brownies, clotted cream, sloe gin, Christmas pudding, wine and much more. However, this wasn't just an open house for greedy writers like me to come along and help themselves. The organic food box company is ...

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Lisa Higginson If there is one time of the year where we can indulge in sweet treats in the most shameless of ways, then Christmas is it. Full advantage should be taken of the season where it’s quite acceptable to polish off a tin of Quality Streets in one night and munch through mince pies like you won’t see them again for a year – and don’t even get me started on the ...

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Click here for our Taste of Christmas website. The Coca-Cola Christmas advert has hit our screens, twinkling decorations are dripping from every corner of the city and supermarket doorways are stacked high with bumper tins of Quality Streets….it can only mean one thing – Christmas is here. Well, it will be in five weeks and th...

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Lisa Higginson A stylish new eatery is set to shimmy onto Manchester’s dining scene when its doors open this weekend. After much anticipation and subsequent tongue-wagging, the curtain will finally be lifted on Rosso - the new Italian enterprise part-owned by Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand. Opening inside an impressive 114-year-old Grade II listed building at the...

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Lisa Higginson A Greater Manchester chippy has proved it’s far from small fry after scooping a national accolade. The Metro Fish Bar in Bury has been named one of the UK’s top 10 fish and chip shops by Seafish, the national authority on seafood. The Bury business fought off hundreds of contenders to be crowned as one of the best in the country as part of Seafish’s Nationa...

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Lisa Higginson University students are set to show they are capable of cooking up more than beans on toast on a budget when they go head to head in a Masterchef-style competition. As part of the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign, pairs of students will pit their wits against each other to see who can bring leftovers to life and cook up a money-saving storm. Manchester ...

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Lisa Higginson Put down your ice pick and leave your crampons at home for the North Pole is coming to you! Yes, Manchester’s coolest bar is back with a festive bang in its new location at Spinningfields. Opening today (Thursday), the temporary watering hole is set to bring a glow to the faces of chilly punters with an array of cockle-warming cocktails and seasonal tipples. ...

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The Mark Addy pub has just re-opened with a renovation and new owners. The pub, sat on the River Irwell opposite Spinningfields, is named after one of Salford’s most legendary sons and was once the site of the New Bailey landing stage where horse-drawn boats loaded and unloaded their shipments. Robert Owen Brown, who is now universally referred to as ‘maverick chef’, is heading up the ki...

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Or so the song goes. Manchester City Council has announced the Christmas markets will be open on Wednesday, November 18. Glühwein for everyone! With even more stalls this year, the markets are growing and spreading every year. New for this year is the addition of arts and crafts stalls outside the Triangle, from Thursday to Sunday every week....

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Manchester restaurants are getting in the festive spirit by yet again backing the Streetsmart campaign, which is designed to help homeless people over the winter. Established in 1998, the scheme runs in all major cities throughout November and December. It is a simple, innovative, fundraising scheme which works during the holiday months when people often think about those less fortunate than th...

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A swish new bar opened under Afflecks Palace last week with a glitzy launch. The Blackdog Ballroom is a complete antithesis of the small and dark bars that populate the Northern Quarter. This new addition is a really large basement space, with a stylish New York feel to it. With its late night gourmet burgers and pizzas, draught beers, pool tables and secret rooms policed by password, the styl...

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Lisa Higginson Lovers of food gathered together amid the autumnal hue of Tatton Park’s trees for a culinary celebration of the region. The North West Food Lovers Festival 2009 was a three-day extravaganza of producers, chefs and restaurants that reside in and around this fruitful area of England. The beautiful surroundings of Cheshire’s famous park provided the perfect ...

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Christmas has begun in Manchester with the return of the ice skating rink and all kinds of festive fun. It has just been announced that the North Pole Bar is also moving to Spinningfields and by the sound of it, the whole area will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The ice rink and North Pole Bar open on November 12 so there's plenty of time for falling over - whichever activity you und...

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Lisa Higginson Malaysian flavours will be flowing out of Manchester kitchens thanks to a top city chef. Eager to share his self-taught secrets of the stunning cuisine that is cooked up in his Northern Quarter restaurant Ning, Norman Musa has published his first cookbook entitled Malaysian Food – a collection of my favourite dishes and the inspiration behind them. The colo...

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What better way to showcase a new Italian cookbook than to serve up a few of the dishes in it? Well, absolutely none - and it means I already have my next dinner party menu planned. Katie Caldesi runs two Italian restaurants with her Tuscan-born husband, Giancarlo. The duo have also co-authored Italian Mama's Kitchen and Return to Tuscany, the cookbook that accompanied their BBC2 TV series ch...

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Taste buds across the region are set to be tantalised as the North West Food Lovers Festival arrives at Tatton Park this weekend. Set out in the Cheshire National Trust park, this festival has encompassed two weeks of food events, with culminates in this Taste weekend. Set over three days, from Thursday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, the event showcases the best of North West foods, as...

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Lisa Higginson A taste of Tuscany is coming to Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor Restaurant as it invites acclaimed cook Katie Caldesi to lunch. The well-known Italian cookery expert is joining the eatery as part of its La Dolce Eater celebrations, which is a month-long showcase of all things Italian. Owner of London’s Caffe Caldesi and Caldesi in Campagna in Bray with her h...

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Lisa Higginson The cream of Manchester’s culinary crop turned out for a glamorous gathering at the Palace Hotel to celebrate the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Hosted by celebrity chef duo The Hairy Bikers, the event on Monday was a star-studded affair that saw a cluster of the city’s finest food and drink businesses presented with a host of prestigious accolade...

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Manchester Food and Drink Festival’s fantastic finale is approaching with a four-day extravaganza of fine food, bespoke beers and entertainment. The Festival Finale Pavilion (October 8-11) returns to Albert Square this year, where a selection of top city eateries, local ale producers, chocolatiers, musicians and more will gather for the festival’s concluding days and create a buzzing atmos...

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A pub in the beautiful Ribble Valley has announced its fourth Game Fest, from November 11-15. And no, city-dwellers, this is not some Playstation event, it's all about meat! In the midst of shooting season, The Red Pump Inn will be serving the finest locally sourced game, including pheasant, venison, hare and partridge. The pub has already been given Olive magazine's Committed Carnivores aw...

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Chorlton-based, IntaFood is here to make it easy for everyone to cook great tasting, authentic food from around the world. They offer recipe racks online, which are posted through your letterbox and contain measured amounts of fresh, authentic ingredients that allow you to create a restaurant quality dish at home. They also offer cooking classes for a number of cuisines including Indian, Thai an...

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Lisa Higginson The long-awaited launch of MFDF 09 has arrived! Today (Thursday) marks the start of the annual gastronomic extravaganza that celebrates the good and great of the city’s food and drink scene. During the next two weeks, a plethora of tasty events will unfold across hundreds of venues around Greater Manchester as well as celebrity appearances, fringe festivals...

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Lisa Higginson A rare opportunity to discover the compelling truth behind the state of the world’s diminishing fish stocks is coming to Manchester. The End of The Line - the world’s first major feature documentary about the impact over fishing is having on our oceans – is being screened as part of Manchester Food and Drink Festival on Monday, October 5 at The Comedy Store...

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Lisa Higginson A feast of unique after-dark dining experiences is to be showcased as part of Manchester Food and Drink Festival’s gastronomic extravaganza. Throughout the festival (October 1 – 12), a series of tailored evenings will form MFDF’s Dinner in the City series – an exciting new event that will see foodie festivities continue into the night. In association...

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Manchester's favourite cafe has just re-branded from Cup to Teacup on Thomas Street. Owned by Mr Scruff (Andy Carthy) and his manager Gary McClarnan, the venue in the Northern Quarter is a homage to all things related to tea and tea drinking. They even have their own brand of tea called Make Us A Brew, which is sold in the store. Cup is changing to Teacup on Thomas Street to reflect the mo...

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Lisa Higginson Chorlton is set to showcase its culinary credentials during a two-week foodie fringe designed to run alongside Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2009. The south Manchester suburb is flourishing with a wealth of food and drink retailers, producers, restaurants, cafes and bars that will be celebrated during the ninth annual Chorlton Food and Drink Festival (Octob...

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News reaches Taste of Manchester that a new bar is opening in the Northern Quarter, under Afflecks Palace. There's been an influx of upmarket bars moving into the cool, chin-stroking vicinity of Oldham Street and it looks like Blackdog Ballroom is about to join that list. Branded as a "slice of New York city's secret downtown speakeasy style", this new uber-cool bar is due to open on Octob...

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Lisa Higginson The nation is coming together to celebrate the best of British food. From artisan producers, growers and farmers to those dishes synonymous with the country’s culinary heritage, British Food Fortnight (BFF) honours all that makes Britain’s food scene what it is today. Now in its eighth year, the two-week event (September 19 – October 4) is the biggest p...

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Lisa Higginson The countdown has begun to the biggest ‘gastronimocal’ celebration of the year. Yes, Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2009 is less than two weeks away and both anticipation and appetites are growing ahead of its launch on Thursday, October 1. The MFDF 09 brochure is now hot off the press and reveals the mouth-watering menu of exclusive events, foodie of...

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This weekend sees the Cheshire town of Nantwich holding its annual food festival (Sept 25-27). Along with the cheese show in July, this is a real foodie town, so check out all these exciting events. James Tanner, of Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen, will be in the Cookery Theatre. Love Food Hate Waste (who are Manchester Food and Drink Festi...

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Lisa Higginson Two of Manchester’s top chefs are set to whet your appetite for weekends in as they take to the stoves for a one-off showcase at Arndale Food Market. The Cook! Weekend will see the city centre food haven abuzz with culinary activity as Robert Owen Brown and John Quilter (pictured) inspire visitors to make the most of weekends on a budget with dishes that are wo...

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Visit Manchester’s next Young Star Chef event will be hosted by Park Inn Manchester Victoria on Thursday, September 24, featuring Roman Schneider. Hand picked by head chef Andy Green as a star of the future, Roman has been challenged to devise his own signature menu and lead the kitchen during service. Roman’s exquisite menu promises to live up to expectations kicking off with organic c...

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1. What inspired you go into the food industry? I always enjoyed cooking alongside my mother when I was a little girl and even went to evening classes when I was about 13 to learn the basics of pastry-making, sauces. It was through cake decorating that it became more than just a hobby. Maybe, as an actress from the age of five, it was the combination of cookery and the show-b...

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The Streetsmart campaign is gearing up for another year of helping homeless charities, by participating restaurants adding a voluntary £1 to every diner's bill. Following the impressive £435,000 raised in the 2008 campaign, this year StreetSmart expects around 600 restaurants nationwide to take part in its unique enterprise. Despite the recent economic downturn StreetSmart has seen an ongoi...

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Michael Caines at Abode Manchester has been given a special award by the Good Food Guide, as well as achieving top marks in the Manchester section of the 2010 book. The highly applauded restaurant won the Best Set Menu for its three course set lunch menu. The Good Food Guide editors' said: "The three course amazing grazing set lunch with matching wines is wonderful value at under £20." The ...

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A risotto festival - well that’s a new one on me. It’s not something I order in restaurants that much because I enjoy cooking it so much, and well, it’s pretty good. But hey I like risotto, so let’s get celebrating. Strada, which is over at Spinningfields, is holding a risotto festival throughout September to celebrate the classic Italian dish. It tells us that four new risotto dishes ...

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Bank Holiday Weekend is certainly the time for food festivals, with Bolton also putting itself on the festival map. The town has brought in the Hairy Bikers (pictured) and James Martin to demonstrate their skills in Victoria Square. Taking place from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30, there are events across the town centre. The Rangemaster Cookery Theatre has chef demonstrations and ...

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Wirral Food Festival is all ready to go for this Bank Holiday weekend with two days of food-loving fun. This is the fourth year the festival has been held, and runs over Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31. The event is held at Claremont Farm, just off the M53, which is one of the UK’s best asparagus farms and has an amazing farm shop. Last year more than 26,000 people turned up to e...

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Lisa Higginson Discover the art of wine during a special event being hosted by Revolve Gallery and Mooch Art. The contemporary space, situated inside The Triangle Shopping Centre, is to hold its second Wine Tasting Masterclass in conjunction with local wine merchants Hanging Ditch. Wine expert Mark Dent, of Hanging Ditch, will lead the event on Sunday, September 6 and guide...

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Lisa Higginson Diners with a dessert disposition are invited to sink their sweet tooths into the River Restaurant’s special new menu. The top eatery, situated inside the Lowry Hotel, has devised a dessert only menu that is available between 5pm – 10pm every Sunday night. This gastronomical idea means you can now fend off that back to work feeling with the ultimate sugar fix...

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Lisa Higginson Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2009 is set to host a spectacular star-studded celebration of the city’s food and drink scene – and you are invited! Join the cream of the culinary crop at the prestigious Palace Hotel for MFDF’s glamorous Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony – which is to be hosted by celebrity chef duo The Hairy Bikers. The lavish event...

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Lisa Higginson Spanish gem Grado is set to pop the cork on its second wine club evening. Launched in July by celebrity chef and owner Paul Heathcote, the monthly club aims to satisfy those with a thirst for wine knowledge and encourage diners to discover more about the drop from a seasoned sommelier. Following the success of last month’s debut event, which saw enthusiasti...

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Young chef Adam Leavy will take over the kitchen at the Round Restaurant at the Royal Exchange for one night only as part of Visit Manchester’s Young Star Chef Initiative. Adam has been challenged to devise his own signature menu and lead the kitchen during service on Thursday, August 20. The evening promises to be a great success with Adam’s menu including a leek, crab and prawn terrin...

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The Pennine Lancashire area has a great reputation and rich history of good food. With Stanley House Hotel in Mellor, Northcote Manor and the fantastic Inn at Whitewell among many more, there are enough hearty culinary offerings to keep you warm in those hills. And to celebrate this rich heritage, the whole district has got together and is putting on a month long food festival. On from August ...

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Jane Asher is scouring the country to find your very best recipes, and it's not too late for you to join in. Now in its sixth year, the annual Jane Asher Home Baker of the Year Competition, is all about reminding people how much fun baking can be. It also makes the family pounds stretch further. The competition, sponsored by Leigh-based Victoria Foods, is open to everyone over the age of 16, a...

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Norman Musa, head chef and co-owner at Ning on Oldham Street, has just been nominated for the category of Best Chef in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2009. Norman also runs Malaysian cookery schools at Ning, and is currently working on a Malaysian cookbook. 1. What inspired you go into the food industry? I...

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Lisa Higginson Nominations for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) Awards 2009 have now been unveiled. A host of hot contenders have made it onto the sought after shortlist and will now go head to head for a chance to scoop one the region’s most prestigious and well recognised accolades. Representatives from Greater Manchester's restaurants, bars and cafes gathe...

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Lisa Higginson Fancy a trip to Spain? Well you won’t need to go any further than Albert Square this weekend. For a celebration of Spanish flavours is set to take place when Tapas Fantasticas makes its debut on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26. The free festival, created by Wines from Rioja, is designed to deliver a taste of Spain and honour the country’s culinary herit...

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Lisa Higginson A familiar face has returned to the helm at one of Manchester’s dining hotspots. The River Bar and Restaurant, at The Lowry Hotel, has welcomed back manager Huseyin Bozkurt to take over the reigns of running the top eatery. Turkish-born Huseyin was appointed restaurant manager when the hotel opened its doors in 2001 and helped bring it to the fore as one of the...

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Manchester's favourite cordial, Vimto, was whipped up into something a little more classy last week. For the clever Forever Manchester campaign held a sparkling glitzy evening at Harvey Nichols last week to launch their new cocktail, containing the berry-flavoured drink. And in true celeb style, they even had sponsorship by OK! magazine. The cocktail was created by Harvey Nichols bar man...

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Just a stone’s throw away from the city’s bustling streets, the waterside stretch of Salford Quays offers a feast for all the senses. Whether it is a flavour of the theatre, a taste of fine art or a foodie fix, this cultural corner has something to satisfy everyone’s appetite.

The Lowry Arts and Entertainment Centre boasts a calendar of live shows, theatre and exhibitions that have...

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Lisa Higginson Heathcotes Restaurants has scooped a top industry accolade at the glittering Catey awards ceremony in London. Fighting off stiff competition from category heavyweights Premier Inn and Compass, the Heathcotes team took home the gong for best use of technology - which recognises the company’s use of integrated technologies in the reservations and marketing system...

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All Bar One launched its Rosé Wine Festival, with a rosé champagne and wine tasting event with wine buyer Angela Mount, who once famously had her taste buds insured for £10 million pounds. And as part of the summer rosé festival, All Bar One is supporting the launch of the Angela’s new breast cancer charity, ABC, with a donation to this appeal. This summer All Bar One is offering a ra...

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Lisa Higginson A Manchester restaurant is set to sparkle when it hosts a special evening inspired by Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. Zouk Tea Bar & Grill is hosting a glittering night of Bollywood entertainment, lavish cuisine and champagne cocktails in a bid to raise money for Plan UK. The contemporary Chester Street restaurant will be transformed into a spectacula...

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Lisa Higginson It might not be top on the list of gastro-destinations to visit before you die, but Birmingham is home to a host of restaurants – three of which hold Michelin stars - that have put it on the foodie map. So with that in mind, the ToM team decided to check out the city’s culinary scene at the Taste of Birmingham. The event in London left a big impression wh...

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Lisa Higginson A flavour of the Mediterranean is being brought to Manchester’s Room restaurant. For its latest Wine Club event, Room is exploring the tastes of the Mediterranean with a gourmet menu served alongside six carefully matched wines that capture the essence of the area’s cuisine. Hosted by Hallgarten Druitt, the event on Monday, July 27 will see a duo of dishe...

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All too often the foods you can grab quickly when you’re hungry and out the house are unhealthy - crisps, chocolate, muffins, biscuits, the list is endless (and is also making my hungry). But I was sent a box of Munchy Seeds to try, and even just the name makes me smile. So I have been duly munching away on my mixed seeds and am really into them now. The main difference is that your average p...

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Lisa Higginson Food lovers will embark on Birmingham this weekend for a celebration of the city’s chefs and restaurants. Having honoured London’s eateries last month, the Taste Festival series is moving up north for the four-day Taste of Birmingham event, which kicks off today (Thursday). In the beautiful setting of Edgbaston’s Cannon Hill Park, the festival will see ...

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Lisa higginson 1. Folk Nestled in the trendy tree-lined strip of Burton Road, this cool café is the perfect place to sip coffee in suburbia. Like its West Didsbury neighbours, Folk is an independent gem brimming with quirky character. Sit inside the 60s style booths or spill out onto the sun-drenched terrace and enjoy great coffee alongside a menu of de...

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Lisa Higginson Enjoy a feast of food and music at City Inn when it hosts a special evening of rising talent. As proud sponsors of Manchester International Festival, the hotel has organised a night of live music on Friday, July 17 at 6pm as part of the JS Bach/Zaha Hadid concerts taking place at Manchester Art Gallery. The event will see Royal Northern College of Music stude...

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Lisa Higginson Acclaimed Lancastrian chef Paul Heathcote has announced he will not be selling his flagship Longridge Restaurant. The fine dining Lancashire hotspot went on the market earlier this year after opening its doors around two decades ago. But Paul revealed this week that the restaurant will not be sold and will instead celebrate a new era under the command of previous...

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Lisa Higginson Wine enthusiasts are invited to quench their thirst for knowledge at fine dining Spanish restaurant Grado when celebrity chef and restaurateur Paul Heathcote introduces a new monthly wine club. Open to all, the club will help diners brush up their skills and a trained sommelier will demonstrate how to open, pour and taste wine like a professional. The Heathc...

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Lisa Higginson A Manchester-based food journalist has fought off heavyweight writers such as Jay Rayner and John Walsh to scoop a national award. Emma Sturgess was crowned Restaurant Reviewer of the Year by the Guild of Food Writers at the society’s annual awards ceremony in The Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn, London. Emma has earned acclaim for her reviews in Metro and was...

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Lisa Higginson Summer was in the air when Harvey Nichols hosted a feast of food and games. Champagne cocktails and sizzling sausages were enjoyed alongside games of hoopla and guess the number of sweets in the jar during a Summer Fete held in the Second Floor Foodmarket on Wednesday. The celebration of summertime also showcased a selection of bespoke producers who supply th...

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The F Word is coming back and they want to know Britain’s favourite local restaurant. And the production company has emailed Taste of Manchester to ask Manchester readers to get voting for their favourite eatery. They say, “We want you to tell us about the place where you love to eat. A well known hotspot or a hidden gem – anywhere you think deserves to be crowned F Word’s Best Local R...

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Say cheese! For Nantwich Cheese Show is upon us again, getting ready to launch for Wednesday, July 29. Anyone who fancies having a good nose around thousands of different samples will certainly not be cheesed off (you’ll have to excuse the cheesy puns). This year’s judge and supporter of the event will be Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in Coronation Street. In a dramatic change of car...

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Zouk Tea Bar and Grill is holding a tribute evening to The Jacksons tomorrow evening (Wednesday July 1). Spookily the event was planned a few weeks ago, but will now take on a special significance in the wake of the megastar’s death. Amjad Bashir, owner of Zouk, said: “As a family and a business, we’re shocked and extremely saddened at the news of Michael Jackson’s sudden death. Wh...

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Lisa Higginson Charming Didsbury café bar The Art of Tea is to host a showcase of folk and jazz with Preston duo Mr and Mrs. The popular haunt is holding The Art of Music event on Thursday, July 2 and will also feature local musicians Kate Mellors and Dave Thomas as part of the line up. Fresh from recording an album with top producer Chris Donohue (Elvis Costello/Ben Folds...

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Linen restaurant at Manchester 235 is putting on a wine evening for those people who have an idea of what they like but would like to expand their knowledge. For £30, guests can enjoy eight different wines paired with eight very different dishes. With some classic wines, some common wines and some different wines they will be showing guests how best to enjoy each with some fantastic culinary p...

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Three talented young chefs have been challenged to take over the City Inn kitchen and produce their own signature menu for one night only as part of Visit Manchester’s Young Star Chef Initiative. Monday, July 6 promises to be a spectacular evening as Matthew Shone, Vinny Brooke and Roisin Rabbitt rise to the challenge. The City Inn protégés have incorporated the finest local and seasonal i...

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Lisa Higginson As the sun shines down and the heat-wave takes hold, now is the perfect time to celebrate the taste of summer. Harvey Nichols in Manchester is hosting a special Summer Fete in its Second Floor Foodmarket on Wednesday, July 1 from 7pm – 9pm, when tastings, entertainment and games will all be enjoyed. The seasonal celebration offers customers the chance to me...

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Lisa Higginson Three top chefs took time out from their kitchen wizardry to embark on a jam butty battle at Harvey Nichols in Manchester. As part of the first ever National Jam Week (June 21 – 28) celebrations, the acclaimed cooks went head to head on Thursday to see who could make the longest jam sandwich in just two minutes. Armed with bread, butter and jars of Clippy�...

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Stuart Thomson was recently appointed as head chef in Harvey Nichols Second Floor restaurant. 1.What inspired you go into the food industry? Well strangely enough I always wanted to be an electrician until I got a Saturday job in a pub washing dishes one summer. I loved the atmosphere in the kitchen and the whole idea of turning the raw ingredients into something wonderful. S...

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This weekend sees the Longridge and District Food and Drink Festival - an area that has a rich foodie culture. The event is being hosted at The Corporation Arms, Longridge, and there will be 50 local food and drink producers who will be exhibiting their excellent produce in the food marquee. There will also be a drinks marquee, where there will be 40 real ales available, as well as ciders and lage...

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Lisa Higginson Mini masterchefs are being invited to swap their Playdough for pizza dough and get creative in the kitchen at Olive Press. Top North West chef and restaurateur Paul Heathcote is encouraging youngsters to get cooking with the launch of a new scheme at his Olive Press restaurants in Manchester, Bolton and Cheadle Hulme. The Little Olive Reward Card invites chil...

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Lisa Higginson The ToM team took a big bite out of London when we visited the capital’s famous festival of food and drink. Set in the grand grounds of Regents Park, the Taste of London event is an impressive showcase of the city’s stunning restaurants and their chefs' culinary talents. Held over four days (June 18-21), it attracts thousands of eager foodies each year an...

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Lisa Higginson Diners are being invited to join in a special birthday celebration at Manchester’s City Inn. The hotel is marking City Inn’s 10th birthday by offering an irresistible two-course Market Menu meal with a glass of champagne for £10 per person at its contemporary City Café restaurant. The offer will run for 10 days from Thursday, June 25 and is available for lun...

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MFDF 2008 Launched!

Matt Friday 03.10.08, 4:00pm

So, Thursday night saw the launch of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival down at Spinningfields Pavilion. There you can find the Taste Tipi, which has a lovely campfire inside, and lots of other tents where you can learn, dine and get involved in all kinds of foodie fun. I should now tell you about how fantastic the launch party was, how the wine flowed free and how the speeches were i...

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It may sound slightly paradoxical, but not everything at Manchester Food and Drink Festival (3-13 October) is about food and drink. Well not really, after all, you wouldn't go to a dinner party expecting just dinner and wine would you?
So, to liven up this party and enhance the festival atmosphere, MFDF have lined up a special selection of Manchester's finest musical talent to help a...

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Legendary restaurateur and titan of the kitchen, Michel Roux (La Gavroche & Waterside Inn), will be joining the Manchester Food and Drink Festival for one very special evening at the Taste Tipi on Wednesday 8th October. In association with Chez Gerard, Michel will be hosting a 3 course dinner and talking about his new book 'Pastry'. Tickets cost just £50 per head for what will be a once in ...

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Join in A Taste of Trafford's "Taste Sensation '08" Sunday 21st September 11am – 4.30pm (last servings 4pm) Altrincham Market What do Simon Rimmer, British Food Fortnight and Spam Fritters have in common? They are all featured at Taste Sensation 2008! A roaring success last year, restaurants from across Trafford will once again be setting up kitchen at the mar...

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The 11th Manchester Food and Drink Festival (3 – 13 October) is gearing up to be a fabulous ten day celebration of everything food and drink. There is a little bit of something for everyone; with special offers galore, chef demos, talks and all kinds of special events taking place in and around Manchester. This year’s Festival is brimming with celebrity chefs and industry stars com...

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How welfare-friendly are you? Do you check ingredients when you're shopping? Do you ask about where your food comes from when you eat in a restaurant? To mark RSPCA Freedom Food's Farm Animal Week (22nd - 28th September) why not visit www.animalwelfarefootprint.com and check your own 'Farm Animal Welfare Footprint' as well...

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Manchester Food and Drink Festival in partnership with Visit Manchester launched the 2008 Investment in Skills Awards, aimed at developing and promoting skills in the hospitality industry, on 16th July at City Inn Hotel. Awards are given in three categories, commending: Outstanding Customer Service, Manchester’s Young Chef of the Year and Manchester’s Young Waiter of the Year. Applications ...

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Love them or hate them, the anchovy is a staple ingredient in a plethora of Mediterranean dishes. Whether in nicoise salads or on top of pizzas, these salty little fish are commonly served in many restaurants around the world, but for how much longer can they survive on menus, if at all? The Marine Conservation Society has recently compiled a complete guide to sustainable seafood, providing the...

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Taste of Manchester is delighted to announce that it has now teamed up with Livebookings.co.uk to offer table bookings at our Taste Top restaurants at the click of a button. The Livebookings Network is a global online restaurant reservations and marketing network which brings together nearly 17,000 restaurants and more than 500 independent booking partners around the world, to create a potentia...

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Fancy putting your feet up whilst someone else does the cooking for a change? How about wowing your friends with the best dinner party ever? Maybe you just want to pick up a few culinary skills from a top professional? If you answer yes to any of these, perhaps Manchester Food and Drink Festival has the event for you…. On Monday the 6th October some of the cities top chefs will be offering th...

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Tickets are now on sale for the 11th MFDF Gala Dinner Awards ceremony, which takes place on the 13th October at the Palace Hotel Manchester. Sponsored by City Life, the Gala Dinner is an annual event and provides the climax to the Manchester Food and Drink Festival (3 – 13 October), the largest urban food and drink festival in the UK, if not Europe. The dinner will also host the MFDF Awards c...

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Levi Roots is a genuine dragon slayer. There are very few people who can say they have walked out of the TV show ‘Dragon’s Den’ with a success story, but Levi (aka Keith Graham) is an exception to the rules. Having come up in front of the panel of hardened venture capitalists, he won the backing of Peter Jones, and now his product 'Reggae Reggae Sauce' is a national favourite, stocked in var...

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The Manchester super-deli chain ‘Love Saves the Day’ has opened a new outlet on Dale Street, just next to Piccadilly Basin. The latest addition to the chain takes their total number of stores to three, with shops also located on Deansgate and Thomas Street.
Love Saves the Day was established in the mid-Nineties with the intention of bringing well sourced, quality wine, coffee and food u...

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This beautifully photographed book celebrates the diverse gastronomy of Spain. Anyone who has ventured beyond the Costas will know that Spain has a wide culinary span, with dishes prepared from the freshest of local, and seasonal, ingredients.
Divided into the 17 provinces, including the Canary Islands and the Balearics, the recipes have been created by Mario Sandoval, the youngest chef to ga...

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Cumbria-based Invisible Systems wins MIDAS Award for Supply Chain Solutions
Award-winning chef Andrew Nutter presents innovation award
MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, sponsors Food NW Awards 2008

Celebrity chef Andrew Nutter presented the MIDAS Award, which recognises innovation in the North West’s f...

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Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and head for the tranquility of Arniston Bay – an unspoilt coastline that's synonymous with a care-free lifestyle – as the brand’s innovative wine pouch comes to Manchester Piccadilly. Commencing Monday 23 June, commuters will be offered a sample of this fresh, easy-drinking wine on their way from work – absolutely free. Samples of Che...

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Organic certified virgin coconut oil from Coconoil™ is has been billed as the best and healthiest cooking oil for cooking, frying, spreading, baking and barbecuing. The main reason for this is that certified virgin coconut oil is cholesterol free and the triglicerides it contains are transferred into energy, not fat. Its thermogenic properties increase the body’s metabolism, increasing ener...

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British Lion eggs are coming to Manchester to find someone with the ‘Eggs Factor’! A £5,000 prize is up for grabs for someone who can cooks eggs with panache. A cook-off will take place on 4 September at Manchester Metropolitan University. Budding chefs will be relieved to know that Simon Cowell is not on the judging panel but the British egg industry has recruited a range of experts to as...

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It’s hard to imagine a bar with no alcohol, but just 50 or so years ago, Temperance Bars were all the rage. Often based in herbalist’s premises, they sold not alcohol but soft drinks. Their little wooden drawers would be filled with all manner of herbs and potions, including those used to brew their most popular beverages- Sarsaparilla, Dandelion and Burdock and Cream Soda.
Sadly, the maj...

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‘Super-food’ is a term that is on its way out. Last year the EU placed restrictions on the use of the phrase, unless actual scientific evidence is produced to prove the direct health benefits associated with a product. Companies were given two years to adjust their marketing or offer proof of credible research backing up their medical claims. ‘Super-food’ is a term used to describe food...

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Multi award winning chef Robert Kisby has joined forces with the Yeung brothers, Gerry and Harry, as Manchester eagerly awaits the launch of the new Yang Sing Oriental hotel, to be opened in July. Kisby has been appointed as food and beverage consultant for the hotel and is expected to be compiling stylish menus introducing the hotel's own unique brand of “fusion” cuisine. The Yang Sing Ori...

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With the summer months making their comeback, returning in a blaze glorious sunshine, everyone can start thinking about slapping on the sun cream, jostling for prime bathing positions on city parks, kicking back and chilling right out. However, when you can’t stand the heat anymore there maybe only one answer, the great cooling guilty pleasure: Ice cream. Ben and Jerry’s have, once again, c...

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Hospitality Action is a benevolent organisation for hospitality people, where the definition of hospitality is ‘the direct provision of food, drink or accommodation away from home.’ It provides a service for and from the people of the industry. Originally called the ‘London Coffee House Keepers Association’, the description of what they do has changed only slightly over the years. The init...

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Situated upstairs in Jackson Row on Deansgate, Simply Heathcotes, which opened in 1996, has been at the forefront of modern and contemporary dining in the city for 12 years now. Described as ‘a catalyst for the rejuvenated Manchester eating out scene’, Heathcotes has provided us with quality dining at a reasonable rate. Not for much longer, however. March 9th will see the end of Simply Heat...

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Having pleased pie eaters throughout the country with their pastries, through branches of Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, Macclesfield based pie producers Crumbs are to set up their first eatery right here in the centre of Manchester. April 2008 will see the opening of the ‘down-to-earth’ establishment in Piccadilly Plaza. Ben Davies, an ex-purchaser for Sainsbury’s and Emmanuel Lioux, forme...

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It is strange to think that casinos and countryside welfare campaigners would have a lot in common but it appears that maybe they do have a similar trait, one casino in particular that is anyway. Ryan Jackson, head chef at Manchester 235’s restaurant, Linen, is doing his best to raise the profile of wild boar. Jackson has made the swine the centrepiece of his spring menu, preparing the steak ...

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Michael Caines, two-Michelin starred chef is set to open his fine dining restaurant at ABode Hotel next week in the city centre in an attempt to end Manchester’s 20 year drought of Michelin stars. Michael thinks that Manchester is the most important city in the country at the moment, probably why £2m has been spent making over the building formerly the Rossetti, in Piccadilly. “Manchester...

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Salford based butcher brothers Chris and Geoff Unsworth have received the best pork sausage of the year award. Their shop Andrews Continental Delicacies has won awards in the past, locally and in Europe for their frankfurters, kabanos and other meats but not as prestigious as the Fine Foods award. Apparently, the finest pork sausage in the North West is a result of decades of butchering knowled...

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Shopping for food these days can be somewhat of an ethical struggle. Do I buy free range, should I buy organic and do I need to consider the low fat option. On some occasions, shoppers can feel a certain amount of guilt on leaving the supermarket after considering their decisions, especially when it comes to Fairtrade. Buying products with a Fairtrade logo reassures the consumer that there has ...

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In October 2007, Black Gold, the powerful film about coffee made by Nick and Marc Francis was shown at the Real Food Fair at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Black Gold uncomfortably contrasts the plight of Ethiopian Coffee Farmers with the Starbucks lifestyle of Westerners at the height of the coffee crisis when world coffee prices were at a 30 year low. While we drank our cappuccinos, many of them sta...

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The River Bar and Restaurant at the Lowry Hotel launches Manchester's first Bollinger Bar. Champagne Bollinger is one of the greatest Champagne houses, committed to creating distinctive Champagnes of the finest quality, making them an ideal partner for the River Bar. Champagne Bollinger remains under the direct control of the family, as it has done since Bollinger’s foundation in 1829. The Lo...

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Show your loved one how much they mean to you ... The evening starts with a glass of pink champagne followed by an intimate 3 course candlelit dinner. Choose from Scottish smoked salmon, grilled asparagus wrapped in panchetta or a duo of soups to start followed by pan fried duck breast, medallion of beef, cod loin or mushroom mille feuille. The desserts look suitably delicious too with vanil...