Luke French (Joro), John Chantarasak (AngloThai) and Tom Brown (Cornerstone) plus more will cook
Escape to Freight Island is nothing if not ambitious and the return of Kantina stands to further emphasise this. The enormous food fest has announced its return for 2022 and there are some big names on the poster. Kantina will take over Depot Mayfield over the weekend of 10-12 June this year.
Luke French of Sheffield’s shipping container restaurant Jöro can do no wrong at the moment
What’s so exciting about this year's Kantina? Well:
Soho House is one upcoming new opening that has a certain demographic all hot under the collar. If that’s you, you’ll be quivering with excitement that the member’s club will be hosting a special cocktail bar in The Jane Eyre’s spot.
Elsewhere, natty wine fans will be pleased to see Sheffield’s Bench pouring some funky faves with Manchester’s own Mary Ellen McTague while beer fans will be served by local brewery Pomona Island.
What's cooking at Kantina 2022?
On the food front, Luke French of Sheffield’s shipping container restaurant Jöro can do no wrong at the moment. If you haven’t been to the critically acclaimed Jöro, then now’s your chance to sample Luke’s food here in Manchester at a special supper club.
Existing Freight favourites will team up with guests for unique foodie experiences too.
One Star Döner Bar’s Brad Carter will be banging heads with Michelin-starred chef Tom Brown of Cornerstone in London and renowned independent food consultant from Birmingham, Lap-Fai Lee.
Returning after a popular stint last year, Pippa Middlehurst AKA Pippy Eats will again pair up with Mi & Pho. Madre’s chicken joint Lucky Foot will join Budgie Montoya of Filipino restaurant Sarap in London while Madre itself is bringing in AngloThai’s co-founder and head chef John Chantarasak to whip up some hot taco action.
Already popular with Confidentials, meat-fest Carnival will have Richard Turner (ex-Hawksmoor) on the pans and Voodoo Ray's pizza will challenge chefs from around the country to create some unique pizzas. Sweet stuff will be provided by Happy Endings, famous for their ice cream sandwiches as well as local faves Gooey and Batard.
Alongside the food, there will be live music, DJs and all sorts going on to keep you entertained throughout the weekend.
Kantina #2 looks great on paper so hopefully, the organisers will have learned some lessons from last year’s event which had, shall we say, a few teething problems.
Previous ticket holders and those who sign up can get in on the ticket pre-sale on Thursday 5 May from 10am. General sale will be available on Friday 6 May from 10am.
Kantina 2022 entry is free but you need to reserve your table in advance.
Read next: 'There's nothing left' - Behind the scenes at the Arndale Market
Read again: New vendors announced at Escape to Freight Island
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