Auction Against Hunger - first names revealed for massive food party

Tickets for Action Against Hunger’s huge charity food, drink and music bash - the first of its kind to hit Manchester - are selling fast.

The annual London event, which has raised over half a million pounds since it began in 2012, now attracts some of the capital’s biggest names who come together to eat, drink and enjoy an evening of food, fun and fundraising.

On Thursday 6th September, the charity that works to end malnourishment around the world will be bringing the party to Manchester for its first northern edition at Upper Campfield Market Hall on Deansgate. 

Tickets include seven dishes, five drinks and unlimited snacks

Auction Against Hunger will involve six of the region’s top chefs, along with eight of Manchester’s most well-loved restaurants, cooking up a storm to a soundtrack provided by some of the regions most exciting DJs, musicians and performers (Argh Kid, Crazy P, A Certain Ratio and The Winachi Tribe are confirmed so far), followed by the chance to bid on some ‘money can’t buy’ auction prizes.

Tickets include seven dishes chosen from the fourteen stalls, unlimited snacks and five drinks from some the North's most innovative brewers, distillers and bars.

Here's the first batch of names to be announced...

Simon Rogan

This British chef is probably best known for his two Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Enclume, in Cartmel, Cumbria which has also been awarded a 10/10 score from The Good Food Guide for the last few years as well as a number of other prestigious awards. His portfolio of restaurants also includes Roganic, Rogan & Co, Aulis, and up until last year, The French at The Midland. The self-styled ‘Google farmer’ is fascinated by botany and the flavour relationship between plants, vegetables, fruit and herbs. His team grows many of the organic ingredients on their own farm – ensuring a fully traceable dining experience.

Mary Ellen McTague

Mary Ellen is co-owner and chef at The Creameries, a bakery, bar and kitchen in Chorlton, which opened early in 2018. She is passionate about locally sourced food and getting the best out of simple ingredients. After working in the kitchens of highly esteemed establishments such as Sharrow Bay in Cumbria and Heston Blumenthal’s Hind’s Head pub, where she was part of the development team, Mary Ellen went on to open the critically acclaimed Aumbry in Prestwich. McTague has also appeared on the Great British Menu and has written a food column for The Guardian.

Anton Piotrowski

Winner of Masterchef: The Professionals in 2012, Anton Piotrowski is Chef Patron of fine dining restaurant Röski in Liverpool and has previously held the position of Head Chef at the Treby Arms in Devon, gaining a Michelin star there. Anton, 35, specialises in eclectic British cooking and offers big flavours, big smiles and great service.

Luke French

Luke French is Head Chef & Director at Sheffield’s nature-influenced Jöro Restaurant. The urban restaurant has achieved a Michelin Bib Gourmand, 3 AA Rosettes and a score of 4 in The Good Food Guide for its forward-thinking small plates & tasting menus. Mixing true innovation and the finest available native ingredients, Jöro epitomises modern dining in Sheffield. 

The Rabbit

Formerly known as ‘The Rabbit in the Moon’, the boundary-pushing fine dining restaurant on top of the National Football Museum has recently rebranded with a lighter and more accommodating approach. Chef John Granaghan has taken over the kitchens and introduced a menu which retains the restaurant’s characteristic edginess using flavour inspirations from the Far East. Expect dramatic looking dishes that pack in the umami flavours.

Maray

Maray is an independent restaurant group founded in Liverpool in June 2014, born out of a desire to bring back a piece of Paris’s 4th arrondissement to Merseyside. They serve small plates inspired by the flavours of the Middle East, alongside fun, elegant cocktails and a diverse wine list. Maray have two restaurants, one in the city centre of Liverpool and one in the suburbs of Allerton, and are planning a move to Manchester in the near future.

Elnecot

Elnecot is an award-winning restaurant and bar based in Ancoats. Taking inspiration from the local area, the menu is delivered in a small plates style and is designed to share. Head Chef and Co-Owner Michael Clay has worked in kitchens across the globe and uses all of these influences to create exciting dishes which always have a root in Manchester. Within nine months of opening, Elnecot was named 'Best New Restaurant' at the British Restaurant Awards.

Firebird Hope

You might already be familiar with these guys, who run a hugely popular fried chicken stall at Hatch on Oxford Road. If you are, you’ll know how much time and attention they put into creating the best free-range fried chicken sandwich in town. They're also known for their mighty fine vegan fried ‘Triple 6’, both served on sourdough buns with secret-recipe homemade condiments and seasoning. You're going to want to make this one of your seven choices. Trust us.