Manchester Food and Booze News: 1-9 October

Confidentials 3 October 2016

Everything you need to know about our city's booming food and drink scene...

MCR SCIENCE FEAST-IVAL

(06/10) It’s not too much of a surprise to find lots of interesting food events at this year’s upcoming eleven day Science Festival, as cooking is basically edible chemistry. Events include ’Sublime Science’ a workshop for kids to make their own crazy sweets. Grindsmith will be going into geeky levels of coffee-making with their ‘Insert Coffee to Begin’ workshop and Manchester Girl Geeks will be putting on a special evening of food and good company with guest speaker, Dr Katherine Joy who will be talking about hunting for meteorites in Antarctica and the geological history of planets.

Manchester Science Festival, 20-30 October, various locations.

Grindsmith

FRISKY WHISKY FEST

(06/10) After the success of their June event, The Whiskey Jar on Tariff Street is planning another session of successive snifters by way of their own Whiskey Festival on November 27th. In two sessions (12pm-4.30pm and 5.30-9.30pm) devotees of the distillery can enjoy whisky and whiskey samplings, masterclasses, tasting sessions and live music. There will be over 300 whiskies available to buy and try on site as well as talks and seminars from a whole host of professionals from within the industry. More information here.

Whiskey Jar

HAWKSMOOR INTERNATIONAL

(06/10) In response to Amber Rudd’s announcement revealing that the government intends to require businesses to disclose the details of any foreign nationals employed by them, Hawksmoor restaurant group had a quick tally. Their in-house census revealed on their Facebook page that they employ folk from 50 nationalities spanning the globe from Algeria to New Zealand including ninteen Congolese, one Eritrean and an Ivorian.

One approving commentator pointed out: “The hospitality industry is the best advert for keeping our gates open. Imagine if all our bars and restaurants were staffed solely by British folk. We'd be screwed! "Bloody foreigners, coming over here looking after us, serving us food and hospitality and treating us nicely......"

HOT OFF THE PRESS CLUB

(06/10) Manchester’s stalwart late-night, after-after-party venue, The Press Club, has been forced to undergo a review of its license after a rather violent spot of bother earlier this year. An application for the summary review of premises licence was submitted by Greater Manchester Police yesterday ‘following an incident of serious crime and disorder at the premises.’ CCTV has revealed a one-sided punch up outside the Queen Street venue back in June. The victim was knocked out but fortunately did not suffer any lasting injury.

In accordance with regulations under the Licensing Act 2003, the application is in consultation until midnight on 19 October.

The Press Club, A Man & Two Vans

TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT

(05/10) San Carlo Bottega on the second floor of Selfridges is getting into the store’s current Shakespearean theme to mark the 400^th anniversary of the bard's death. They have launched a special week-long menu from 3- 9 October featuring specials from Verona and Venice – two cities that feature heavily in many of Shakespeare’s plays.

Venetian specials include Tuna Carpaccio, egg taglioni with crab and Baccala Mantecato – whipped salt cod pate on a warm chickpea crostini which slip down perfectly alongside the regional Pinot Grigio and Amarone wines. Veronese specials include Risotto all’Amarone with ham, Bigoli pasta with Piedmonte beef cheeks, gnocchi with Monte Veronese cheese and sopressa salami with polenta. Obviously desserts feature heavily in Italy and this week’s specials include apple fritelle and Marsala-spiked Zabaglione with sweet Venetian dipping biscuits. Customers will also have an early chance to try San Carlo’s own freshly baked miniature Pandoro cake; a typical Veronese sweet yeast bread, popular around Christmas.

In addition to this special menu, lunchtime customers dining on Thursday 6 October from 12.30pm will be accompanied by a harp and flute duo from the Royal Northern College of Music.

GREATER MANCHESTER’S OLDEST WAITRESS

(05/10) Staff at Rochdale Town Hall held a surprise party this week to mark the 80th birthday of Shirley Gillespie, a veteran waitress who is still going as strong as the tea she regularly serves at functions and events.

Shirley, who has worked for Crofter’s Catering for over a quarter of a century, started waiting-on when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and a pint cost 91p. She has served a number of famous faces over the years including Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, footballer George Best and scientist Brian Cox.

At the party, funded by friends and colleagues, Councillor Ray Dutton, the Mayor of Rochdale, presented her with a framed certificate which reads: 'Congratulations to Shirley, the region’s oldest waitress, for having served more years than most of your colleagues have been alive and for reaching the grand, old age of 80. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication – keep going strong! From all your friends at Rochdale Town Hall.'

Shirley says she doesn’t work as many shifts as she used to, “at times it has been tough,” she said, "big dinners can be very tiring on your feet and we had a little fight when I reached 65. I was expected to just retire but I wasn’t ready to yet."

Shirley with Mayor of Rochdale, Ray Dutton

BIB AND TUCKER

(03/10) After getting over its annual Michelin disappointment, Manchester can enjoy some consolation with the news that Michelin has awarded a shiny new Bib Gourmand to El Gato Negro (reviewed here). These awards recognise those establishments which offer good quality cooking at reasonable value. Elsewhere in the region, both Waggon at Birtle (reviewed here) in Bury and Brassica Grill in Stockport (reviewed here) retained their Bib Gourmands while Ramsbottom’s Hearth of the Ram (reviewed here) was deleted from the 2017 list, most likely due to a change of chef. Over in Chester, Joseph Benjamin also retained their Bib Gourmand, which we thought was worth a mention as their team are the ones behind Altrincham’s upcoming Porta tapas bar.

VINTAGE, VEGAN AND VIENNESE WHIRLS

(03/10) The Northern Quarter Makers Market is back on Sunday 9 October with over 110 artisan stalls and street food traders ready to showcase their skills including Cumbrian pies and puddings, homemade artisan breads from The French Corner, hand crafted cakes and cupcakes from Alex’s Bakery and mounds of doorstop sized brownies from Ian Treats.

If arts and crafts are more your thing, head on down to view iconic Manchester photography by Ben Sedman, original vibrant artwork by Three Colours Only and controversial artwork from The No.71 Legend Rooms. Little Owl, Vintage What Nots and Roger Browning Vintage Clothing will be back this month with even more vintage finds.

NQ Makers Market, Sunday 9 October 11am – 5pm, Stevenson Square

MICHELIN MEH

(03/10) Manchester restaurants have once again failed to be awarded a much coveted Michelin Star this year. Neither of two possible contenders; Aiden Byrne’s Manchester House or Simon Rogan’s The French at The Midland Hotel, have been included in the list of new starred restaurants.

For the first time the Michelin Guide UK announced the awards during a live book launch and webcast so we could experience our annual gastronomic humiliation in real time. To be fair though, we don’t have to travel too far to enjoy a newly awarded North West restaurant. Forest Side Kitchen in Grasmere received its first Michelin star this year, as did The Lake House at Gilpin Lodge near Windermere. The Samling, also near Windermere, also managed to retain its star despite a recent change of chef. Over in Wales, the Isle of Anglesea is now the proud owner of a new Michelin star for Sosban and The Old Butchers by the Menai Bridge.

Closer to home, one of Manchester's most popular new openings, El Gato Negro, reclaimed its Bib Gourmand, lost during the move from Ripponden in Yorskhire last year. Well done to tireless exec chef Simon Shaw and his brigade.

Chef Kevin Tickle of Forest Side

WINE WINNERS

(03/10) Decanter, the influential wine magazine, has named Manchester’s wine merchant Salut, its 'Small Retailer of the Year 2016'. This is the second award it has bestowed on the popular wine store and bar on Cooper Street, which last year won the Judges Choice Award.

Salut won the judges over with its ‘incredible buzz’ and ‘brilliant wine selection’ and was recognised in particular for its mission to ‘break down barriers to wine engagement’ through an impressive range of events and promotions. These include such delights as Fine Wine Fridays, where customers can enjoy vintages such as Chateaux Mouton Rothschild and Lafite 1990 on draft via their Enomatics servers.

SALVI’S SUPER SUNDAY

(03/10) Manchester’s authentic Italian food business, Salvi’s, brought the ultimate slice of Neapolitan life to the city centre over the weekend, with their first Italian Festival as part of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

On Sunday 2nd October, the MFDF Hub in Albert Square housed a marquee filled to the brim with authentic Italian produce, flown over especially from Naples by Salvi’s owner Maurizio. The festivities also included a live Neapolitan band, cookery masterclasses, a ‘Nonna’s Pasta Master Station’ (with Maurizio’s mum, below centre) and Italian Heritage Walks.

The Salvi’s team also created a huge 20m freshly cooked, handmade pizza which was quickly devoured by festival revellers.

To round things off, an Italian Gala Dinner took place at the Corn Exchange restaurant where the live music continued alongside Peroni cocktail masterclasses and a specially created four-course dinner and wines.

HUB-BUB

(03/10) The Manchester Food & Drink Festival hub, which opened this weekend on Albert Square, enjoyed its most popular opening weekend on record, with more than 44,000 revellers popping down to the food and booze pop-up between Thursday and Sunday – 10,000 more than last year.

Free to enter, the hub – open until Sunday 9 Oct - features the ever-popular 100 Greatest Beers Bar, the Fever Tree Gin Garden, the Live Cookery Theatre and over a dozen street food traders.

Find a round-up of the best events and biggest chefs here.

MORE TO ECCLES THAN CAKES

(02/10) The next Eccles Makers Market will be held in Church Street on Saturday 8 October, 10am-4pm. Expect to find some of Greater Manchester’s more innovative street foodsters by way of handmade gyoza from Wallace and Sons, a Bratwurst from In The Dog Haus and wood-fired pizza from Wood Fire and Smoke.

Stalls will be selling award-winning and locally soured produce including cheeses, pies, locally bottled beer, cakes and breads. Art and craft vibes are strong at this event so start ticking off your Xmas list with niknackerey by Statement Art, Bee Morrison, Rag Pots and No.71 Legend Rooms. This month The Ragamuffins will be providing shoppers with musical entertainment throughout the day.

NEW TO TATTU

(02/10) A change in season means a new line-up of events at contemporary Chinese restaurant, Tattu, which was recently named ‘Best Standalone Restaurant’ at this year’s prestigious Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. Tuesday 4 October sees the launch of a new seasonal menu, featuring hearty Asian flavours with fusions of sweetness and spice to warm your cockles in the colder weather. New dishes include a fiery Szechuan pork wonton and a Singapore-style soft shell crab, as well as Tattu’s unique interpretation of the classic banana fritter.

On Sunday 30 October, Tattu will transform its private dining room into a spine-chilling cinema for a day of classic horror films accompanied by a terrifyingly tempting three course Halloween menu. Each of three sinister ‘screamings’ throughout the day (3pm - Friday 13, 6pm - Halloween and 9pm – Nightmare on Elm Street) will begin with a custom cocktail and a menu created by Tattu’s head chef, Clifton Muil. Tickets are priced £30 per person.

GET INTO THE GROOVE... SORRY GROVE

(01/10) Confidential was sorry to hear about the recent closure of Wilmslow’s excellent Greek restaurant Stolen Lamb. All is not lost apparently, as owner George Yiannis has now gone into partnership with Hollyoaks actor Ashley Taylor-Dawson (seen below on Strictly) and will be reopening the Grove Street venue as ‘Symposium’, a cocktail bar and live music venue, later this month.

Fans of Chef George’s food will be able to enjoy a special seasonal small plate menu designed for sharing along with great wine and a range of cocktails. The newly refurbished venue will be an entertainment hub featuring a range of live musicians and jazz bands. Symposium will open from Wednesday to Sundays from 5pm until late.

BIT OF A WONKA

(01/10) When not deep in plans for his upcoming Manchester restaurants, it seems that Michelin starred chef Michael O’Hare - who last year gained a star for his Leeds' restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain - has been busy having four fingers of fun over at the Kit Kat club.

The popular biscuit makers are about to open a five week create-your own Kit Kat pop-up in Westfield Stratford City (Oct 5 - Nov 8) and have invited O’Hare to create two signature edition flavours (Chilli and Mint, as well as British retro favourite, Dandelion and Burdock) whilst grinning maniacally at falling crumbs and flinging stuff about like Jackson Pollock.

It's Michael O'Hilarious...