THE 22nd Manchester Food and Drink Festival kicks off on Thursday, September 26. Ahead 10 days of exploring the city’s culinary riches, culminating in the coveted Food and Drink Awards in Monday, October 7 (still time to vote for your faves here). Many events in the Dining Dome at MFDF’s Cathedral Gardens hub old out within days of tickets going on sale, but there’s still plenty still on offer to tickle your tastebuds. Here are five ToM faves.
BISTROTHEQUE CLASSIQUE – The Dining Dome, September 26, 7.30pm. Tickets £45 via foodanddrinkfestival.com.
CULTUREPLEX is one of Manchester’s most anticipated 2019 arrivals. It is a new base for Bistrotheque, which has made its name in East London by serving uncomplicated food and drink, delivered with good taste, charm and a dollop of fun. Expect extra helpings of all this when chef director Blaine Duffy (pictured above) creates this special Bistrotheque Classique MFDF banquet menu, including arrival cocktails, three courses, a quality wine pairing and digestif. All served alongside ex-Placebo pianist Xavior Roide, sequin-clad satirical weirdos Bourgeois & Maurice and a game of pass the parcel. Check out A first look at CULTUREPLEX.
A Plant Based Evening with John Robb, Shaun Ryder and Bundobust – The Dining Dome, September 29, 6pm. Tickets £35 via foodanddrinkfestival.com.
Guaranteed to prove an out of this world vegan-meets-music Indian street food experience. Broadcaster, musician and journalist John Robb is a vegan of 10 years' standing and Shaun Ryder is a pescatarian Happy Monday who loves vegan food. Together they will be hosting a feast from their favourite restaurant Bundobust. John and Shaun will converse about a shared passion for food, Manchester, and Shaun’s struggles to become a vegan. An array of award-winning Bundobust dishes will be paired with plant-based beers from the new Bundobust Brewing Co, sound-tracked naturally by a great Manchester playlist. Throughout the rest of that Sunday the new Cathedral Gardens hub is given over to all things vegan.
AN EVENING OF RUM DECADENCE with Diablesse – The Dining Dome, October 5, 6.30pm. Tickets £20 via foodanddrinkfestival.com.
Let Gethin Jones, Diablesse brand ambassador and general manager at Cottonopolis, take you through the wonderful history of rum, how it’s made and what makes Cleo Farman’s unique, award-winning Diablesse blends so special. Learn how to taste with your nose and the art of creating your own Diablesse Rum cocktails in this special MFDF masterclass. Tickets include a bespoke cocktail on arrival and a full masterclass including cocktails to drink after.
THE MFDF WINE AND FIZZ FESTIVAL – Manchester Cathedral, Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, various times. Tickets £15 per session via foodanddrinkfestival.com.
Taking place in Manchester Cathedral, it packs lots of fizz and fun into celebrating the world’s best wines. Perfect for novices and passionate enthusiasts alike, it includes light hearted sessions for all. It will be divided into four zones – English Wines, Wines of the World, the Fizz Quarter and a Food Matching Area, providing the perfect accompaniments.
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A PUNCH ABOVE: How to make the perfect party tipple – The Dining Dome, September 28, 6.30pm. Tickets £15 via foodanddrinkfestival.com.
Join Jamie Rowe, JJ Whitley Gin & Vodka Ambassador, as he guides you through how to make the perfect party punch with the knowledge of how to balance readily available ingredients and, of course, the JJ Whitley range. You’ll be greeted with a glass of punch on arrival, then Jamie will regale you with the wondrous history of this delightful drink while you prepare to make your own version. Capacity for 40 people, split into groups of four.
For further information on all events visit the Festival website. Or follow @MFDF19 on Twitter, @MFDF2019 on Instagram or check out the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Facebook page. The print brochure is available across Greater Manchester.