IT’S not only the Labour Party on the rise. Another passionate cause going from strength to strength is Veganism. And if one local chef can lay claim to be its vote winner it’s Matthew Nutter.
We gave his Allotment restaurant in Stockport town centre a five star review for its take on vegan fine dining and we’ve welcomed his plant-based pop-up excursions further afield. Now he is setting up camp, too, in Manchester city centre, taking over the kitchen at The Wonder Inn, Shudehill.
This self-styled ‘creative wellness centre’ has from the start promoted vegan and organic food, so Nutter’s Roots Cafe, serving ‘vegan medicinal food’ is a good fit in what was the former Guerrilla Eats food hub on the first floor.
The plan is to serve a small, more informal menu, starting with breakfasts that might include a mojito yogurt made with avocado and cucumber salsa, and an almond-based cheesecake and continue through the day with hot special, sharing platters and salads.
His aim is clear: “To bring incredibly tasty plant based food just to Manchester, but to bring it to the whole of the UK, and make it a little more mainstream. Having some good experience and knowledge of plant based cooking is going to soon be just as important as having butchery, or pastry skills.”
Another step in this crusade is his Allotment Kitchen Takeover at NQ bar Common on Monday, June 12. He is also helping Ancoats General Store with their new vegan menu and on Thursday, October 5 at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival hub he is cooking a £45 a head Vegan Banquet to showcase the fine dining potential of the vegan experience. Buy tickets here.
Nutter is not alone in promoting that experience in Manchester. The GRUB Food Fair, which kicks off at in Mayfield Depot on Friday June 9, is aiming to round off its weekend opening with a Plant Powered Sunday, a weekly vegan event serving food, drink and running green-inspired activities in collaboration with local gardening groups.
Starting on Sunday, June 11, the first week will feature vegan-friendly comfort classics from Wholesome Junkies, followed by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean mezze from The Otto-Men on June 18, Malaysian specialities from Nasi Lemak on June 25 and Mexican treats from El Marchador Tacos on July 2. Check @GRUBMCR for further details.
This Saturday (June 3, 12pm-8pm, free) Chorlton Brewing Company is again hosting a Vegan Beer and Food Fest at its brewtap on the Piccadilly Beer Mile. Expect vegan beers and sour beer fruit smoothies Peacock & Juno will be serving sausage rolls and mock duck noodles, plus there are sweet treats from A Kind Mama vegan bakery and The Vegan Food Pod.
Meanwhile, Altrincham Market pizza stalwarts Honest Crust have created their first fully vegan menu for another brewery’s Vegan Festival this Saturday. It’s worth driving across The Pennines to the Magic Rock Tap Room in Huddersfield to taste thdir dairy-free Marinaras, Filettis and Caponatas, washed down with some fine beers. Other familiar street food faces taking part include Yakumama, Street Cleaver and Noisette Bakery.
Wonder Inn, 29 Shudehill, Manchester M4 2AF.
GRUB Food Fair, Mayfield Depot, Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2QF.
Chorlton Brewing Company, 69 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6DX.