Celebrity chef and television favourite John Torode was in Manchester to launch the 15th annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival and announce that Metrolink is the events official travel partner for the third year running.
John was on hand to help mark the official countdown to the event and not to worry if you missed him this time - hell be making an appearance at the Festival in September! Along with an array of exciting events, activities and tastings, there will be an exclusive Metrolink Masterclass and Q&A with John Torode which will take place in the Live Cookery Theatre on Albert Square on 29 September. Full details will be announced soon!
The Festival Hub, the main festival outdoor site on Albert Square, looks set to host Manchesters most exciting food and drink adventure yet. Due to popularity, the Festival is extending over three weekends with a super-sized local ales festival, craft beers bar, Pub on the Hub, Pop Up Wine Bar, Cider Carnival, Oktoberfest, Cocktail Bar, Independent Producers Fair, Manchester Cook Off, communal banquets, Live Cookery Theatre, and the biggest Street Food Festival the region has ever witnessed!
Plus therell be the Big Indie Wine Fest, Whisky Festival and a programme of restaurant events for the mammoth 17 days. The event, as usual, will be topped off with the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards (8 October) - the glamorous finale to the festival, where the regionâs food and drink heroes are rewarded in glittering style.
Commenting on the festival, John Torode said: âI have heard great things about the Manchester Food and Drink Festival and am delighted to be taking part in this yearâs event. Manchester has a fantastic foodie reputation and Im looking forward to sampling the best that the city has to offer.â
As the official travel partner of the festival again this year, Metrolink provides the vital link for galloping gourmets looking to connect between events across the city centre and surrounding areas of Eccles, Altrincham, Chorlton, Bury and Oldham. With Metrolink, festival-goers can leave the car at home and travel quickly, safely and easily between venues, enjoying the best that the festival has to offer.
Philip Purdy, TfGMs Metrolink Director, says: âMetrolink continues to be at the heart of the city and were proud to once again show our support for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. Its been a pleasure showing John around the city on the tram and we look forward to welcoming him back for his Masterclass in September.â
Siobhan Hanley, MFDF Director, said: âWe are so excited about this years landmark âBig Fifteenâ festival. The event and its thousands of fans deserve a birthday party to be proud of and thats what theyre going to get - with the UKs best chefs, restaurants, brewers and producers providing the food! Were delighted to welcome Metrolink back as our official travel partners. They are a crucial supporter in making the festival happen, and in connecting the huge number of participating venues and customers - what the festival is all about!â.
For full details of the events planned to celebrate this years Manchester Food and Drink Festival, click here.
For further information on Metrolink, click here.