WE advise you to get there early this weekend to celebrate GRUB’s return to the Mayfield Gatehouse for the third successive summer season. Rain or shine (and it looks like shine on May 3 and 4) this will be a hot (and free entry) ticket.
The street food kings are certainly prepared. The outdoor site on Baring Street close to Piccadilly Station has increased in size by 50 per cent in partnership with the site owners, The Mayfield Partnership. That means more food stalls, second bar, a dedicated kids play area and more seating in what’s regarded as the city’s best beer garden.
Top class street food will continue to be the star of the show both at the GRUB Food fair every Friday and Saturday plus Plant Powered Sundays.
Friday will have six street-food chefs while Saturday will boast eight, made up of the classic GRUB regular traders. The line-up this Friday (May 3) will be Parmstar, Club Mexicana, Little Fishy, Sutikku, Old Town Chimney Cakes and Drizzle City Bakes; with the addition on Saturday (May 4) of GF Pie Co and Purely Pizza.
ToM top tip: Sutikku’s trays of kushikatsu (main image), their take on the deep-fried pork skewers that are the ultimate Osaka comfort food. They were a big hit at GRUB’s Eastern Food Fair at the Fairfield Social Club in March.
Alongside the existing bar pouring 12 keg lines and four cask lines of the best beer in Manchester and the north and the usual top quality wines, ciders and soft drinks, a second express can bar is in the works – offering local beers, cider and a specially produced new line of boozy sodas from Steep Soda. House lager comes from newcomers Manchester Union Lager, whose brewery is only a barrel roll away.
Jason Bailey, director of GRUB said: “When we look back on where we started it’s unbelievable to think how big the market has grown to now and that it’s still growing. We can’t wait to host everyone and introduce you all to some new traders.”
The Mayfield Gatehouse, Baring Street, Manchester, M1 2AD. Grub Food Fair every Friday and Saturday 12pm-10pm, starting Friday, May, 3; Plant Powered Sundays takes place every Sunday 12pm-6pm. Free entry for all-comers including families and dogs. Full details of the re-launch event can be found on the Facebook event page here. Also don't miss GRUB launches monthly fair at Islington Mill, Salford.