THE countdown begins in earnest to the 18th Manchester Food and Drink Festival, now barely a month away. Culminating in the gala awards dinner in Manchester Cathedral, the 12-day foodie celebration (September 10-21), with great music too, is crammed with fascinating treats. Here are 10 to look out for – and remember to book early.
1 Street Food Sessions at the Festival Hub in Albert Square
Session One (September 10-15) takes in 19 different Street Food heroes ranging from The Cheese Truck to top new local restaurants like Burger and Lobster, with every hot dog, ice cream and paella you could wish for covered in between.
Session Two (September 16-20) offers an equally eclectic street food roster – such as Piggie Smalls, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and Robert Owen Brown’s very own Little Fishing Boat.
Full street food listings here.
The Hub also offers a wine bar, producer market, live entertainment every day and an amazing choice of craft and cask beer throughout the festival, noon until late . Coming soon on TOM the lowdown on the big brews!
2 The Live Cookery Theatre
This year’s Live Cookery Theatre reveals a stellar line up of exciting chefs on both Saturdays of the Festival. Whether home grown or far flung, established or rising stars, they all have one thing in common – incredible talent! Byrne
Saturday 12th’s line up features… Olia Hercules (pictured), Simon Rogan and Aiden Byrne
Saturday 20th’s line up features… Cesar Garcia of Iberica, Harry Yeung, Alex Shaw and Simon Shaw.
Festival Hub, September 12 and 19, 12-6pm. Free.
3 Big Indie Wine Fest
The seventh Big Indie Wine Fest returns to its spiritual home, taking over the stunning Great Hall to celebrate wines from the best independent merchants, including Pacta Connect, T-Wright Wines, Alpine Wines, Italy Abroad, Tour de Belfort, Commanderie de Bordeaux, Epicerie Ludo, Veeno and Carrington Wines. Customers can taste their way through hundreds of extraordinary wines. There'll be suitable refuelling opportunities, too, from local producers, Cheshire Cheese to delicious deli items from Epicerie Ludo and Veeno. Note: the Three Wine Women event the previous night is now sold out.
Manchester Town Hall. September 11 and 12. Tickets on sale now
4 The Biospheric Foundation and MFDF Present SHROOM
For the first time in Manchester, a hyper-local, specialised mushroom farm will be dropped into Albert Square – part of a unique collaboration between the Biospheric Studio and MFDF. Throughout the festival, visitors will be able to come along for a farm tour, to see the fungi production, meet the brains behind the operation and hear about why this approach to mushroom production is so important to our city and food culture. After the tour, a few steps away, customers can taste the produce – the Biospheric Studio will be cooking up an amazing mushroom street food offer every day. Festival Hub, September 10-20. Free.
5 Chilli and Tequila Festival
Queen of all things hot and spicy Thomasina Miers, founder of the lauded Mexican restaurant group, Wahaca and author of Chilli Notes, is coming to MFDF to head up a celebration of heat and hard liquor. Chilli growers from around the UK will be showcasing their products, with tequila brands doing the same. Check out chilli-inspired demos with participants including at 6.30pm Thomasina herself, whose latest Wahaca opens the day before in Manchester’s revamped Corn Exchange. Our own Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney has her own demo and book signing at 5pm. Festival Hub, September 11, noon-8pm. Free.
6 The MFDF Bio-Historic Banquet
MFDF, The Biospheric Foundation, Robert Owen Brown and The Manchester Museum will also be hosting the first ever “MFDF Bio-Historic Banquet” on Friday 12th September. Guests will dine under the shadow of a giant wale skeleton, surrounded by some of the museum’s most extraordinary exhibits whilst enjoying a completely unique banquet designed by Robert Owen Brown, created using products grown by the Biospheric Foundation. The menu will be inspired by the history showcased in the museum, as well as Manchester today, and diners will hear from the museum’s curators between courses. A night after hours to remember…Manchester Museum, September 12. Tickets on sale now.
7 The Great Manchester Bake Off/MFDF Charity Bake Sale
The Bake Off invites the region’s hottest amateur bakers to enter the race to become Manchester’s MFDF Bake Off Champion. Judges include Richard Burr of Great British Bake Off and local baking celebrity Charlotte O’Toole. The Charity Bake Sale will also feature cookery demos from Richard and others, Guess The Weight of the Cake and raffles. Across Manchester and Festival Hub, September 13. Free. For full preview of this event and how to register visit this link.
8 Simon Rogan’s Chef’s Week in Association With Bitten.
For one magnificent week only (September 15-19)5, Simon Rogan will showcase his talented brigade of head chefs and their extraordinary food (Michelin stars and all) to Manchester as he hosts a culinary week at The French at The Midland Hotel. Each evening during this festival extravaganza, a different chef from each of Simon’s acclaimed portfolio of restaurants (includign The French’s Adam Red, pictured) will host a night to present their distinctive cooking style and menus. The French, September 15-19.Tickets on sale now and include a donation to Hospitality Action, online or via telephone on 0161 932 4198.
9 Experimental Ice Cream Banquet with Ginger’s Comfort Emporium
Ice cream luminary Claire Kelsey, of Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, is creating a very special si-course banquet for the Festival… consisting entirely of ice cream. The menu is top secret and Claire’s acclaimed, experimental approach to artisan ice cream craft, promises a fantastical feast. Festival Hub 6.30pm, September 18. Tickets on sale now.
10 And it’s not all about Albert Square...
Check out The Festival Fringe across the city for a variety of free and ticketed events...The full programme is listed on the website, but participating venues include:
Beef and Pudding, Harvey Nichols, The French, Hawksmoor, Doubletree Hilton, Pot Kettle Black, Tea Hive, Whitworth Art Gallery, Cloudwater Brewery, Gaucho, Burger and Lobster, Tattu, Manchester Central Library, Al Bacio, Grill on the Alley, Manchester Art Gallery, The Anchor, Common, Rudy’s Pizza, Evuna and The Manchester Ship Canal!
And that isn't the half of it! To discover the entire MFDF line-up download the brochure.