JOHN Torode was in Manchester last week to launch the 15th annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) and announce that Metrolink is the event’s official travel partner for the third year running. He's pictured with Metrolink boss Philip Purdy above.
With all that's going on we think we can easily fill the space with enough events to please all the visitors to Albert Square. And justify the extension.
A major change this year is that the festival has moved back a week into September and increased its duration to 17 days - it was only ten days last year. This time it will run from from 21 September to 8 October.
Festival Director, Siobhan Hanley, says: "Last year the Hub in Albert Square worked really well. By extending the length of the festival we can give the Square even more of a food and drink party atmosphere - make it a real celebration.
"Bear in mind that other events in Albert Square, such as the Christmas Markets last for weeks. Manchester is also hosting the Labour Party Conference during MFDF and it's also our fifteenth birthday. With all that's going on we think we can easily fill the space with enough excitement to please all the visitors to Albert Square, and justify the extension."
The Festival Hub, the main festival outdoor site on Albert Square, will include a super-sized local ales festival, craft beers bar, Pub on the Hub, Pop Up Wine Bar, Cider Carnival, Oktoberfest, cocktail bar, Independent Producers Fair, the Manchester Cook Off, communal, long-table banquets, Live Cookery Theatre, and 'the biggest street food festival the region has seen'.
The star of the launch John Torode will host an intriguing 'Metrolink Masterclass and Q&A' in the Live Cookery Theatre in Albert Square on 29 September. Tram Tarts maybe? Met Meringues?
MFDF will also feature the Big Indie Wine Fest, a Whisky Festival and a programme of restaurant events. The festival, as usual, will conclude with the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards on 8 October.
For full details of the events planned to celebrate this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival, please visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com.
