AMID all its boundary pushing premieres and parades the MANCHESTER International Festival has never neglected food and this year’s 18 day extravaganza (June 29-July 16) is no different. Even better, after often importing street food from far afield, this time there’s a strong local emphasis to the traders based in Festival (Albert) Square from June 30 until the end of MIF. What a strong quintet manning the stalls…
Paul Heathcote & Co: Lancashire legend with a signature menu of reinvented British classics.
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium:Inventive, exotic and irresistible ice cream for grown-ups.
Honest Crust:Terrific wood-fired pizzas plus salads from the Altrincham Market favourite
Hispi: A unique take on fast food from Gary Usher’s new and hugely acclaimed Didsbury bistro.
Manjit’s Kitchen:Superb vegetarian Indian street food and snacks inspired by Manjit’s grandma’s home cooking.
There are also four bars, offering wines, soft drinks and beers, including the exclusive Festival Ale and Festival Lager from JW Lees.
The Square has a new look for MIF17. It’s the work of two of the country’s most exciting young designers Paloma Gormley of Practice Architecture and Nicolas Henninger from the Office for Crafted Architecture, to create new structures, where you can soak up the festival buzz – not just food and drink but free live music and nightly DJs.
Paul Heathcote is also hosting a series of MF17 Supper Clubs, featuring menus created by chef compadres David Moore Steven Doherty, Mark Noller and Mark Hix, each for one night only at the Glass House in Festival Square, Sun and Mon, July 2 and 3, 9 and 10.
These are all sold out but more of the £50 a head tickets may be released nearer the time – follow Twitter @MIFestival for updates on availability. That’s the case, too, with a sold-out event curated by festival favourite, Mary-Ellen McTague.
The acclaimed chef, who has just taken on and transformed Manchester Art Gallery's Cafe, has created a Dinner Party at the End of the World, to be held at a secret venue (don’t Festivals these days, seem to love ‘secret’ venues) from Tue July 4 to Sat 15 (again £50 a head).
Inspired by Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari’s Party Skills for the End of the World performance, which is getting its world premiere at MIF17, this is a dinner party with a difference. Each evening, just 20 guests will share a special last supper, with “surprising food that explores themes of survival, extinction, scarcity and opulence”. Phew.
ToM is fascinated by a free equally thought provoking public event at The Whitworth on Oxford Road, M15 6ER, from 1pm-5pm on Sunday, July 9 – the world premiere of Susan Hefuna’s ToGather, a public perfomance, consolidated by an exhibition at the Gallery (Fri June 30-Sun July 16).
ToGather addresses the potent issues of migration, movement and sensations of separation. Local residents, originally from 15 different countries including Iran, Sierra Leone, Trinidad, Pakistan, Albania and Kuwait, will trace individual paths through Whitworth Park.
Featuring dancers from Studio Wayne McGregor, the work will take creative inspiration from migrants’ experiences and stories. Recognising the social importance of food to migrant communities, a wide range of food and drink stalls will be available from 1pm on the day.