Manchester Food and Drink Festival is nearly upon us. This year, it's more diverse than ever, offering something for food and drink fans across the board. Below you'll find TEN events and experiences you definitely won't want to miss - but there are plenty more to be found across the rest of the programme too.
1. Big Indie Wine Fest at the Town Hall
Your chance to sample a selection of some of the best wines from around the world many of which are only available on mail order in one of Manchesters most iconic buildings. Fri 4 - Sat 5 Oct, Manchester Town Hall, M2 5DB, £11, foodanddrinkfestival.com
2. Liquor Market sampling the best premium spirits at Rosylee
New for 2013 and a one-off as far as we know in Manchester to date - boutique spirit fans can go wild with their sampling glass, running the gauntlet through the likes of G'Vine gin, Excellia Tequila, Sloane's gin, Rebellion rum, Shed Vodka, Ramsay Rum and Old J Spiced Rum. Sat 5 Oct, Rosylee Restaurant & Tearooms , M1 1DB, 2pm, £7, foodanddrinkfestival.com
3. Street Food in Albert Square
Previous Festival goers will know that street food is a marvellous and central part of the experience at the Hub on Albert Square. Over the course of two delicious weeks, tuck into Kukoos indian snacks, Mexican snacks by Margo and Rita (resident street food chefs at The Beagle in Chorlton) as well as proper British gourmet grub by the Chophouse group and many, many more. There's something for different for lunch and dinner every day. Daily in Albert Square, M2 5DB, FREE entry, foodanddrinkfestival.com
4. Cheese and Cider evening with The Moss Cider Project
The innovative local Moss Cider Project (if you ever need a home for your windfall apples, you know who to call), brings some of the nation's most prestigious cheese and cider producers to former MFDF Bar of The Year, Common in the heart of the Northern Quarter. Mon 30 Sep + Mon 7 Oct, Common, Edge Street, M4 1HW, 7pm, £15, foodanddrinkfestival.com
5. The 100 Best Beers Bar in Albert Square
Everyone from ale dabbler to craft connoisseur will find their liquid manna at this bar stocking the 100 best beers in the region. Look out for brewers like Manchesters Marble and Bank Top from Bolton. Mon 30 Sep - Sun 6 Oct, Albert Square, M2 5DB, FREE entry, foodanddrinkfestival.com
6. Get 25 percent off at Artisan kitchen and bar
Living Ventures are the team behind award-winning restaurants like Australasia and The Alchemist. Their new baby is a huge, industrial-chic space serving handmade, rustic dishes like roasted chicken livers with orange and sherry and hay-baked chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme as well as a serious selection of fine wines, cocktails and beers. A fine chance to try out one of the best new openings in town. Festival-long, Artisan Kitchen and Bar, Spinningfields, M3 3BZ, www.artisan.uk.com
7. Aumbrys Mary-Ellen McTague at MFDF Masterclasses
Free, fabulous and highly informative, the programme of Masterclasses, hosted in the Festival Hub in Albert Square, includes everything from Simple Shell?sh Masterclass with Mary-Ellen McTague of Aumbry to a pizza making class with the Gusto team for kids. Fri 27-Sun 29 Sep, Festival Hub, Albert Square, M2 5DB, FREE, foodanddrinkfestival.com
8. Whisky Festival at Bridgewater Hall
Take this rare chance to sample single malts and more from the world's finest producers. An event that has doubled in size, year on year since 2009, it's likely to sell out. Sat 12 Oct, Bridgewater Hall, Lower Moseley Street noon-5pm, £20/£30, www.thewhiskylounge.com
9. Grenache special festival menu
Something of a local secret, Grenache is the pride of North Manchester, crafting ridiculously tasty modern British creations in relaxed yet smart surrounds. Enjoy fine dining without the stuffiness by quoting MFDF when you book. The MFDF offer is for a two-course dinner for two people plus a bottle of wine for £39.95. Every Wed, Thur and Sun. Festival-long, 15 Bridgewater Road, M28 3JE. Tel: 0161 7998181, grenacherestaurant.co.uk
10. MFDF Gala Awards and Dinner
Enjoy a gourmet, five-course banquet in the company of the regions most prestigious chefs, mixologist, restaurateurs and celebs at the Town Hall as the MFDF awards 2013 are announced. Mon 7 Oct, Manchester Town Hall , M2 5DB, £65 + VAT, foodanddrinkfestival.com