Everything you need to know about our city's booming food and drink scene...
FREE GIN FRIDAY
(28/09) Caorunn Scottish gin will be offering the first 500 passers-by a free Caorunn G & T from 1pm on Friday 30th September. They have teamed up with City of Trees to create a unique pop-up apple orchard outside the Oast House in Spinningfields, for one day only, as part of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. Caorunn is traditionally served with thin red apple slices to create ‘an invigorating, clean, sweet, full-bodied and aromatic taste for a long-lasting dry and crisp finish’. The fragrant fruit is one of the five Scottish botanicals that are infused into the handcrafted gin, along with dandelion, heather, bog myrtle and rowan berry. Following the gin giveaway, the trees will then be donated to Snipe Clough, Oldham, where they will be planted to form part of a new community orchard.
COCKTAILS AND CAKE-TAILS FOR MACMILLAN
(28/09) A few Manchester bars and restaurants are doing something special for the upcoming World’s Biggest Coffee Morning fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 30th September.
Gusto, the contemporary Italian restaurant is combining a traditional coffee morning with a networking event with coffee, tea, cake and orange juice. They are inviting guests to donate their own cakes to help raise funds. The event will take place between 9.30-10.30am and will cost £10 per person, with £5 being donated to Macmillan.
Meanwhile, over in Barton Arcade, the cocktail institution Be At One is shaking up the traditional coffee morning to help raise funds. There won’t be any coffee and cakes on offer, and the bar only opens at 4pm, so instead, Be At One will be giving 25p to the charity for every Blueberry Muffin ‘cake-tail’ or Espresso Martini cocktails sold on the night. In addition to this, the first 20 customers to purchase Blueberry Muffins via Be At One’s award-winning smartphone app, will only pay £5 with £1 of this being donated to Macmillan.
CHEF ROGAN NAMED CHEF’S CHEF
(27/09) Chef Simon Rogan, of L’Enclume in Cartmel and Manchester’s Midland French, has been named Chef of the Year 2016 in this year’s AA Hospitality Awards. The coveted title is voted for by all AA Rosette-awarded chefs who recognise which of their peers deserves to win, based on their performance over the past twelve months. Rogan continues to inspire others by creating striking and complex signature dishes with the use of edible flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables, many of which have been foraged locally or grown on the restaurant’s own 12-acre farm.
The annual awards are a highlight in the industry calendar attended by world-renowned chefs, prominent hoteliers and restaurateurs, hospitality gurus and key media, and act as the initial high-profile launch of the latest editions of the AA’s range of lifestyle guide. This year, four AA Rosettes were awarded to both The French by Simon Rogan and Aiden Byrne’s Manchester House.
BINNER PARTY FRINGE PARTY
(27/09) Tickets for the Real Junk Food’s gala dinner on Thursday 29th September have sold so well, that they have decided to extend the invitation in conjunction with Ask Real Estate and 53two. To kick of the Fringe Programme of the Manchester Food & Drink Festival and raise funds to support Real Junk Food; Manchester’s mission to open Manchester’s first waste food pay-as-you-feel restaurant, they are inviting people to join them for drinks, live bands, DJs and a good old dance.
The evening will begin at 7pm in the “53” (smaller) archway with drinks and music, then at 9.30pm the party will move to the larger “2” archway for a cavalcade of musical acts including DJ’s including Sarah Walters, Pasta Paul and Thom Docking of Drunk at Vogue fame as well as The Nat O’Brien Band and Jo Dudderidge of The Travelling Band. A range of wines, beers, ales, and soft drinks, along with our very own bespoke “waste food” cocktail menu will be available.
Those who have a ticket to the fundraising dinner on the same night will also be able to join the fringe party. Click here to register your interest in attending this free event.
SIPPIN SUNSHIIIIIINE
To celebrate the opening of The Liquor Store at First Street, the popular city centre franchise has devised a unique ‘Made of Manchester’ cocktail combining all of the city’s most famous flavours. Head barman and award-winning mad for it mixologist, Daniel Bigg-Wither (Biggsy) has combined Manchester’s home grown Three Rivers gin (which represents the Manchester waterways that gave rise to the Industrial Revolution) with one of the North’s most famous fruity exports, Vimto. A nod to the city’s ‘Worker Bee’ symbol comes with the inclusion of Honey Syrup from Happy Mondays’ dancer and Madchester icon, Bez, while the taste of Manchester Tart is evoked with the inclusion of vanilla syrup. All of this mixed together with Manzana Verde, apple juice and orange curacao, served in a copper julip tin, decorated in iconic Hacienda tape and garnished with a small Manchester Tart, mini Vimto chew bar and sprinkle of honeycomb.
GOLD BAR FOR THE ALCHEMIST
(23.09) The team from The Alchemist bar and restaurant were in London last week to collect the award for ‘Best Bar’ at The Food and Travel Reader Awards 2016. The annual awards, held at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, honour the best of the best in the areas of food, drink and travel.
The Alchemist cocktail bars and restaurants celebrate molecular mixology, alchemy and craftsmanship with drinks being served in all manner of vessels with theatrics and panache.
The first branch opened in Spinningfields in 2010 followed by seven more sites nationwide including; London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and a second in Manchester. Later this year an eighth site will open in Alderley Edge, Cheshire and a new-build site is planned for 2017 at MediaCityUK.
Simon Potts, managing director of The Alchemist said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised by the readers of Food and Travel magazine. We are proud to be up alongside such esteemed company on the list of winners.” Other illustrious winners included London’s Claridge’s Hotel and Gidleigh Park in Devon.
IN THE MARKET FOR ANOTHER MARKET
(23.09) Lowry Outlet Makers Market returns this weekend (24th - 25th September) with an array of over 120 spectacular stalls (with different stalls on show each day) selling quality artisan food, drinks and award-winning crafts in the open-air Plaza area. During the weekend, shoppers can browse round cheeses and pies, locally brewed ales, doorstop sized brownies, posh tarts, rustic breads, vegan treats, spicy sauces, locally produced jams and chutneys and salt and spice gins. Discover vintage trinkets and handmade crafts, plus Urban Photography from Ben Sedman, potted plants by the talented couple behind Shrubbies and retro music lead art by Salford artist, The No.71 Legends Room.
There will be a street food area in full swing with fire pits and BBQ’s lit up to deliver everything from stone baked pizzas to pulled pork sandwiches and Mediterranean mezzes. Children’s face painters will be on hand for the kids too.
Lowry Outlet Makers Market will run 10am-7pm on Saturdays and 11am-5pm on Sundays.
GET SPRITZED AT THE RED DOOR
(22.09) To celebrate the onset of Autumn in style, Red Door on Deansgate will be launching their Spritz Sessions on Saturday 1st October from 5.30pm - 9.30 pm. They will be selling 2-4-1 Aperol Spritz cocktails (Aperol, Prosecco and soda poured over ice - often served as an aperitif in Italy) with tables featuring a ‘button’ to press for instant Aperol Spritz service. Live music will help create a buzzing party atmosphere until 10pm when one of Red Door’s ambient DJs will be taking over until the early hours.
NEW MOON'S NEWMAN BOWS OUT
(21.09) In news which positively shadows the Brangelina break-up, North West pub and restaurant operator Paul Newman announced yesterday, via Twitter, that he is leaving The New Moon Pub Company to move on to ‘new pastures’. Paul co-founded the pub company in 2011 with business partner Chef David Mooney, and went on to open eight sites across the North West including Manchester’s Beef & Pudding, The Old Session’s House in Knutsford and The Old Blind School in Liverpool.
On his Facebook page, Paul stated, “Just to be clear - David Mooney is a legend and we are mates and we will work together again in the future.”
PILCR-OPENING
(21.09) After 12 months of woodwork, bar pump handle whittling and 30 other workshops involving hundreds of volunteers, it's almost time to open the doors of The Pilcrow, the community-built pub in NOMA’s Sadler’s Yard. The finishing touches are being put on the brand new handmade hostelry which will be run by All Our Yesterdays – a new partnership between Common and Port Street Beer House owner Jonny Heyes and co-founder of Cloudwater Brew Co Paul Jones.
The Pilcrow will be open to the public on Friday 23rd September from 8pm with tailor-made beer, pub games and crafty company.
NOM NOM FOOD FESTIVAL
(21.09) As well as hosting the MFDF fringe launch dinner, new ‘hidden’ arts venue 53Two are kicking off their own events programme with a free, two day foodie fest in which they’ve curated a gathering of the finest northern purveyors. This will happen alongside a #capturemcr exhibition based on a month long competition run by Yelp to find the best photos of our city. Visitors can have their say on who should be crowned the winner from 1000 entries (now whittled down to 30), while sampling a craft ale or two, freshly squeezed juices and Manchester Gin and Vodka, all to a spot of live music.
October 1st -2nd, 53Two, 8 Albion Street, M1 5NZ (11.30am - 5.30pm; free tickets from 53two.com/e-v-e-n-t-s.
ALL CHANGE AT THE PALACE
(20.09) As part of its multi-million pound redevelopment, the Palace Hotel on Whitworth Street is to undergo a rebrand and a change of name. Following a £150m capital investment programme, US investor Starwood Capital is to rebrand all its UK hotels to Principal from 1 November. The neon red ‘PALACE’ lettering on the iconic clock tower will be replaced by a new sign carrying the Principal logo.
The three adjoining buildings were originally commissioned by The Refuge Assurance Company as its company headquarters and was designed and built by renowned architect Sir Alfred Waterhouse, so to be fair, it never really was an actual palace.
AA OK
(20.09) The shortlist for the prestigious AA Chef of the Year has been announced and two of the six finalists are from the North West – Simon Rogan of L’Enclume and The French, and Nigel Haworth of Northcote.
The other four chefs in the running are Angela Hartnett, Clare Smyth, Sat Bains and Ashley Palmer Watts, who runs Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
The winner will be announced on 26th September over a pie and mash shindig at London’s Grosvenor Park Lane Hotel.
20 METRE PIZZA EATER
(20.09) Salvi’s will be hosting a city-wide celebration of all things Italian in association with Manchester Food and Drink Festival on Sunday 2nd October. The Albert Square marquee will be transformed into a celebration of Neapolitan cuisine including live Italian cookery masterclasses with Carlo Molon, Executive Chef from Sheraton Hotel in Milan and others.
There will also be an Italian market featuring an abundance of Italian produce including Salvi’s famous Mozzarella, plus other Italian cheeses, olive oils, wines, breads, meats and treats. A pizza cook off will see Maurizio and his team creating a huge table of 20 metre pizza while specialist Italian Food and Heritage Walks will start at the Festival Hub and take in the city centre, stopping at Salvi’s venues along the way for refuelling.
As a culmination to the festivities, Salvi’s are hosting a four-course Italian Gala Dinner at the Corn Exchange in association with Peroni and Aperol.
For tickets and further info visit www.foodadnddrinkfestival.com
FRENCH WINNER
(19.09) Adam Reid, Head Chef at The French by Simon Rogan, at The Midland Hotel, is through to the national finals of The Great British Menu.
Adam, from East Manchester, fought off tough competition from Cheshire-born Kim Woodward from the Savoy Grill in London, and Liverpool-born Matt Worswick of The Latymer in Surrey, to be crowned the North West heats winner. The 31 year-old will enter the finals up against Michael Bremner (Scottish winner), Josh Eggleton (South West winner) and the other regional winners all vying for the chance to cook for the “Great Britons” at the Palace of Westminster.
The French are giving customers the opportunity to try all four stunning dishes from Adam's Great British Menu at lunchtimes from Wednesday to Saturday 12pm-1.30pm for £55. This features an Indian-influenced starter, ‘From Pakoras to the Palace’, a main course of Cumbrian beef accompanied by roast farm vegetables and ‘beef’ tea and a ‘Golden Empire’ dessert of Stewed Empire Apple with hazelnut crumble, meadowsweet custard and golden candy apples.
The latest Great British Menu series began on August 29th on BBC2, and the North West chefs were the third to compete. You can catch Adam in action on BBC iPlayer.
Adam, previous MFDF 'Chef of the Year', will also be taking over the MFDF event space for 3 evenings only to bring just 30 guests a truly inclusive tasting menu pop up. Book here.
COCKTAIL WIZARDRY IN ALDERLEY
(19.09) Work on the former Grill on the Edge site in Alderley Edge is now well underway as it plans to reopen as The Alchemist bar and restaurant in November. This will be the bar brand’s debut into suburbia as its other venues are in cities including Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
The new opening will create around 40 new jobs and the company is currently recruiting for positions in Management, front of house and the kitchen. The team will be headed up by manager Dave Rotherham who has worked for The Alchemist in both Manchester sites after starting his career at The Living Room on Deansgate.
The two storey site will have a capacity of 150, including a 70-seater restaurant within the venue’s conservatory and a central island bar on the ground floor will give the bar team the chance to create a bit of theatre when mixing an array of ingredients with unconventional equipment including the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Smoky Old Fashioned and Bubblebath.
The Alchemist will also be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 10am to 10.45pm.
LOWRY HIGH POINT
(19.09) There’ll be no door-slamming tantrums for The Lowry Hotel’s 15th birthday party. For one night only, the five-star hotel is introducing a 15 course taster menu in their River Restaurant to honour its 15th anniversary as part of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.
The Lowry Hotel chefs have devised an exciting and original menu around the best local and seasonal produce, sourcing the very best of what the North has to offer. Savoury courses include a Garstang Blue cheese mousseline and venison tortellini with meat originating from Macclesfield via multi award-winning butcher, John Mettrick’s of Glossop.
This meal is part of their extensive 15th anniversary celebrations which also include a £5.25m refurbishment of its suites and conference and spa facilities, maintaining its position as a leading business and visitor destination as well as a bleary-eyed celebrity’s B&B.
Join the hotel for the 15 course meal on 6th October 2016 at £59 per head. Call 0161 827 4000 to book or visit: www.thelowryhotel.com
LOWRY LOWDOWN
(19.09) Peel, developers and owners of Lowry Outlet at Salford Quays, are planning to spend £13m redeveloping the site as part of its new Lifestyle Outlets brand. They want the Lowry Outlet to reflect the ‘where brilliance happens’ slogan of nearby Media City, as well as offering a greater proportion of destination food and beverage outlets, rather than just food on the go for shoppers and theatre-goers. Reconfiguration of the 300,000 sq ft outlet centre began in August as Marks & Spencer’s 15,000 sq ft store was relocated to make way for half a dozen waterfront restaurant units in an aim to boost footfall along the ship canal.
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