THE Victoria Baths is celebrating its 110th birthday this September with a programme of events whose highlight (for ToM’s eager tastebuds) is a special dinner hosted by Real Junk Food Manchester on Thursday, September 6.
RJF head chef Mary-Ellen McTague (below), once of the Fat Duck and Aumbry, is creating a family-friendly, sharing feast in Males 2nd Class Hall, with a complimentary pre-dinner drink and music in the Gala Pool and Turkish Baths Rest Room. And, of course, following the food action group’s ethos, the meal will be made entirely of perfectly edible ingredients that would otherwise have gone to waste.
The Real Junk Food Project Manchester intercepts waste food from supermarkets, restaurants and a number of other sources, and turns it into healthy, nutritious meals.
Their director Corin Bell says: ‘‘We’re delighted to have been invited to take part in such a special occasion. The Baths is part of Manchester’s history, and it fits so well with our ethos to help bring such a beautiful building ‘that might otherwise go to waste’ back into use for the city.”
The dinner will raise funds for the restoration and re-opening of the historic Turkish Baths suite. The project will cost £3.5m in total and the original tiling, hot and steam rooms and stained glass will be preserved, so visitors can once again enjoy the authentic experience. During the birthday week the Gala Pool will be filled with water once again especially for the birthday week celebrations.
Other events include an evening of free theatre, music and spoken word on Wednesday, September 7, and Heritage Open Days on Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11. The open days will include demonstrations in the pool such as paddle board yoga and scuba diving, alongside history talks, choirs and art and photography exhibitions.
Tickets for the dinner are £45 each plus a booking fee, or available in tables of 10. They are on sale at this link or visit www.victoriabaths.org.uk.