AIDEN Byrne must never regret returning to his Northern roots after a stellar start in Norwich and London. The Scouse chef’s first return venture, The Church Green at Lymm is still winning admirers, while his 4 AA rosette Manchester House recently leapt into the National Restaurant Awards Top 50. Named Chef of the Year by Cheshire Life last week, he is again nominated in the same category for the 2016 Manchester Food and Drink Awards,
But even more out of this world is his extra-curricular gig next weekend (July 22-24) at Bluedot at Jodrell Bank – a new festival of music, science and space exploration.
Bizarrely coinciding with the new Star Trek movie (no connection, it’s one starring role Aiden hasn’t filled) the acclaimed chef has been recruited to create his own pop up ‘Restaurant at the End of the Universe’ beneath the MKII radio telescope, offering the perfect view of Brian Eno’s Lovell Telescope installation.
His mission – to boldly forge his own festival seven-course menu to be served on the Friday and Saturday evenings (6-9pm) as well as on the Saturday lunchtime (1-4pm). Each course will be inspired by ‘intergalactic travel and exploration’, so roll out the molecular gastronomy at less than astronomic prices – the inter-galactic banquet costs £69 per person (plus booking fee). Add on a bottle of Champagne for a further £33.
It starts with puffed pork crackling, smoked apple puree, pickled pig and cider jelly, followed by crisp chicken skin with smoked liver mousse and aged parmesan; razor clam, fennel jelly and charred turbot; gold rush apple and caviar; Ribblesdale soup; braised beef cheek, choucroute and txogitxu tartare; and a surprise final course called SPACE.
Aiden said: “Normally when I’m asked to create a menu for a special occasion, such as this, it’s not rocket science – well this actually is! I’ve loved researching the history of space travel and man’s obsession with finding new galaxies, stars and planets – I wanted our guests to experience a little of that and feel the g’s through interesting ingredients and food pairings.”
Other festival foodie adventures include a stargazers’ midnight feast (£33 per person, available Friday, Saturday and Sunday), with buffet-style sharing boards to help yourself to; and a Sunday roast (£44 for lunch or dinner).
If up you can tear yourself away from the food there’s a array of appropriately ambient music stars playing such as Jean Michel Jarre and Underworld.
Full weekend camping and day tickets are now on sale. Weekend tickets start from £129 and day tickets from £35. Boutique camping starts from £495. More information can be found here.