Lowry Hotel 15th Anniversary Banquet
For one night only, in conjunction with MFDF, the five-star Lowry Hotel is hosting a 15 course taster menu to honour its 15th anniversary. Well sourced savoury courses will include a blue cheese mousseline using cheese from Garstang, supplied by Gornalls, one of Manchester’s oldest dairy suppliers; tortellini of Macclesfield venison from award -winning butchers Mettrick’s of Glossop; and gin-cured Loch Duart salmon.
This special dinner is part of the hotel’s extensive birthday celebrations which also include a £5.25m refurbishment of its suites, and conference and spa facilities.
Thursday, October 6. River Restaurant, Lowry Hotel Dearman’s Place, Chapel Wharf, M3 5LH. £59. Book by ringing 0161 827 4000 or visit: www.thelowryhotel.com.
Taste on Two at Harvey Nichols
An evening dedicated to fine food and drink at the Second Floor, showcasing the very best of Harvey Nichols Manchester. Includes tasting stations from top suppliers, guest talks and live cooking demos from their with plenty of samples to get your teeth into. Plus a sneak peek of gifting at Harvey Nichols, with your chance to place the first orders for Christmas hampers on the evening.
Monday, October 3. Harvey Nichols Second Floor, 21 Cathedral Approach, Manchester M1 1AD. 6pm-9pm. £15, to include complimentary drinks and a Harvey Nichols apron. To book ring 0161 828 8898 or email [email protected].
Fazenda Meat and Wine Tasting
Fazenda is renowned for its mouthwatering cuts of delicious meats, matched with one of the finest wine lists around. To explore the possibilities of both join sommelier Chris Milner as he hosts a MFDF masterclass giving guests the opportunity to explore hand-picked Argentinian and Brazilian wines. Bottles will be expertly paired with the restaurant’s famous selection of 15 freshly grilled meats, allowing winers and diners to enjoy the full, luxurious Fazenda experience.
Monday, October 3 and Wednesday, October 3. Fazenda 1, The Avenue, Spinningfields. 8.30pm. £40. Book here.
Experimental Vegan Banquet with Jackie Kearney
Author of Vegan Street Food, Master Chef runner-up and street food legend Jackie
‘Hungy Gecko’ Kearney will conjure up a banquet demonstrating how delicious dairy-free food can be. From artichoke oysters with seaweed caviar and do-it-yourself experiments with raw food, to a spectacular one-off dessert designed by Manchester’s very own MilkJam, the menu aims to surprise and inspire diners with a six course feast of imaginative vegan food.
Saturday, October 8. Festival Hub, Albert Square. £35. Book via www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
Celebrating Ten Years of Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor’s 10th anniversary celebrations continue at the MFDF with a special dinner in their gorgeous private dining room showcasing their Hawksmoor Classics Menu. This tells the upmarket restaurant chain’s story in six decade-spanning courses, featuring shortrib nuggets with kimchi ketchup, scallops with white port and garlic, Tamworth pork belly ribs (main picture), beef fillet or rib-eye with sides and sauces, sticky toffee pudding with clotted creamand salted caramel ‘Tributes’. If your idea of a good time is six courses of great food, paired with wine, whisky and a cocktail, plus a few mildly entertaining stories, well … this might just be for you. Maximum number of guests is just 14, so book quickly.
Thursday, October 6. Hawksmoor, 186, 184 Deansgate, M3 3WB. 7pm. £65 plus booking fees via this link.
Robert Owen Brown’s Edwardian Themed Ancoats Supper Club
ACCLAIMED chef Robert Owen Brown is hosting an Edwardian themed five course Supper Club menu at Ancoats Coffee Co in collaboration with Inca Pop Ups. Feel free to dress up in the spirit of that golden age in the appropriate setting of the Grade II* listed Edwardian Royal Mill. On the menu is Royal Cheddar cheese soup; lobster Mousse with Beluga caviar cream; slow braised fell-bred mutton with capers; roast Lancashire pheasant with all the tracklements; mousses, jellies and blancmange.
Saturday, October 8. Ancoats Coffee Co,9, Royal Mills, 17 Redhill St, M4 5BA. 7pm. £40 with a £20 deposit (plus booking fee) via this link. You may also place your deposit at the Roastery-Cafe directly or with Claire of Inca Pop Ups, no charges apply here.
Dining In The Dark at Scene
It has been a huge hit in London and now this thought-provoking event makes its one-off debut at Manchester’s riverside ‘Indian Street Kitchen’. Blindfolded guests explore the theory that, with sight eliminated, tastes and smells are accentuated. Includes 3 course menu with two drinks. Only 20 tickets are available for each sitting at 6pm and 8.15pm. Vegans and vegetarians welcome.
Tuesday, October 4. Scene, 4a Leftbank, Irwell Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AN. 6pm and 8.15pm. £35. To book email [email protected].
An Evening with Louis XIII at Tattu
One of the city’s most glamorous venues is hosting an exclusive evening with Louis XIII in the private dining room, Tattu Parlour. The evening will include a four course dinner with paired wine, a Louis XIII cognac tasting and a talk from brand ambassador Brian Copeland. Louis XIII cognac was created in 1874. Each decanter takes four generations of cellar masters over 100 years to craft. Its grapes grow in the chalky soils of Grande Champagne, the most sought after area of the Cognac region in France. It is an intricate alchemy blend of up to 1,200 eaux‐de‐vie, making it one of the most prestigious brands of cognac in existence.
Friday, October 7. Tattu Restaurant & Bar, Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB. 7.30pm. £150. Availability is limited; to book email [email protected].
The Cracking Wine Quiz at Wine and Wallop
An evening of fun facts about wine in quiz form curated by Cracking Wine and the Wine and Wallop team. The evening includes a tasting of six different wines, cheese pairings from Didsbury’s Cheese Hamlet (and an appearance by owner John!) and W and W charcuterie boards. The winning team will receive a hamper containing cheese, wine and tickets to a future wine tasting event offered by Cracking Wine.
Thursday, October 6. Wine and Wallop, 97 Lapwing Lane, Didsbury, M20 6UR. 7pm. £20. To book visit the bar or ring 0161 446 2464.
Alphabet Brewing Co and Holy Crab – Charlie Don’t Surf Shack
Street food aces Holy Crab, now resident in the the Kosmonaut kitchen every Thursday to Sunday, are joining forces for four days with Alphabet to run the Charlie Don’t Surf Shack. The Kosmonaut basement will be transformed to take you from land to sea and street food stall founders Lou and Hannah have some Holy Crab-meets-craft beer tricks up their sleeve as they pair their seafood snacks with ABC’s summery brew.
Thursday, October 6 to Sunday, October 9. Times vary, Check with website. Kosmonaut. 10 Tariff Street, Manchester M1 2FF. 7pm. Unticketed.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival runs from Thursday, September 29 to Monday, October 10. Download the festival brochure here.