TASTE of Manchester isn’t one for Christmas hampers but knows the Harvey Nichols version is the creme de la creme. Venturing down to the upmarket Exchange Square store’s annual suppliers’ tasting, Taste on Two on the Second Floor – part of Manchester Food and Drink Festival – we kinda hoped for a wonderful wicker-encased freebie but had to settle for a complimentary apron.
Cocktails and canapes circulated as Harvey Nichols loyal customers learned how to open an oyster and other culinary mysteries in a series of masterclasses, led by head chef Matthew Horsfield (below).
We contented ourselves with exploring the world of trendy gin (with palate cleansers of Magic Rock beers – thanks Becky).
Pick of the juniper flavoured spirits were undoubtedly our own Manchester gin and just pipping it the hugely aromatic, yet elegant, Brighton Gin, both available in store. A key botanical in The Brighton is organic milk thistle, indigenous to the South Downs. That’s the traditional hangover cure, so it must be healthy stuff, we told ourselves. In contrast we feared for our sanity after a shot of Hernő’s Juniper Cask Gin, the world’s first matured in such barrels at Sweden’s only gin distillery. Powerful stuff at a powerful price of £60 a bottle.
The rest of the Second Floor Brasserie hosted tasting stations, featuring suppliers Harvey and Brockless salamis , Yee Kwan Ice Cream, Buxton Pudding, Carron Lodge, Jelly Tots and Doll Mixtures, Brindisa, Rococo Chocolates, Jake’s London, Tyrrells Crisps and Poshcorn, Sandow Cold Brew, ChaiTea and Lemonaid, Booja-Booja, Brew Tea Company, Gin, Zeca Cachaça, Double Dutch Drinks, Seedlip, Suero Sangria, Magic Rock, Thomas & Evans, Joe & Sephs, Kaizen Living, Cornish Charcuterie, St-Germain, The Bread Factory and Harvey Nichols Own Label.
We got a sneak peek of those luxurious hampers but the real thing arrive in-store late October.
Harvey Nichols Second Floor Bar and Brasserie, 1 New Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD.
