FORMER Manchester United and England defender, Gary Neville, revealed a vimto trifle, black pudding sausage rolls with homemade baked beans and a 'posh pot noodle' are some of the meals to expect when Hotel Football opens at Old Trafford this December.
“Manchester still craves that one star, well, Michael’s got two of his own. We might aswell brag about that hadn't we"
Speaking to a crowd at last week's Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF), the former Manchester United footballer has set a clear Mancunian identity for Hotel Football. He also intends to put a bit of fuss into no thrills dishes.
“It’s not sports bar quality it’s high quality," Neville told the crowd. "We’ve put on the dishes people wanted. We’re going for really good food, homemade food at a high level."
Neville and the Hotel Football team at MFDF
Under the wing of two Michelin starred chef Michael Wignall, who's crafted the new football themed menu, and London's Cafe Football Executive Chef Brendan Fyldes, the Hotel Football team impressed the festival crowd with the re-envisioned local grub.
Chef Wignall, of The Latymer restaurant in Surrey, said: "When we consulted with Gary and Giggs on the menu we wanted to make sure the it was true to Manchester and the North. Food from childhood.”
Chef Brendan Fyldes
While similar to Neville and business partner Ryan Giggs' Cafe Football menu, there will be some dishes exclusive to Manchester. Chefs will prepare steak and kidney pudding and the Manchester tart will be given a new lease of life at Hotel Football. There'll also be burgers, pizzas and signiture dishes from the duo, including Giggs' Welsh Dragon burger (containing 2% real dragon) and Neville's take on the pot noodle, Nev's Posh Noodle Pot.
Neville And Nev's Pot Noodle
Neville, who revealed his own cooking skills were 'garbage', was keen to bring top quality chefs on board for the new venture, and in light of recent Michelin results, was keen to air his chef's credentials. “Manchester still craves that one star, well, Michael’s got two of his own. We might aswell brag about that hadn't we,” said Neville
The ten-storey Hotel Football is set to open on 8 December, five days before a Manchester United vs Liverpool match at Old Trafford. Neville predicts 1,500 people will stay and eat on match days and insists Hotel Football will be open to the general public regardless of their club allegiance.
'The Turf' cake
Preparing black pudding sausage rolls
