The worlds of contemporary art and fine dining will collide in Manchester this month
Manchester Art Fair is combining contemporary art with fine dining at their 2026 event, welcoming a prestigious new three-night chef residency from Michelin-starred The Forest Side in Cumbria and Head Chef Paul Leonard.
Marking what will be the restaurant’s first Manchester residency, Chef Paul and his team will create a bespoke dining experience for leading art buyers, collectors and VIP guests at the 2026 Manchester Art Fair, hosted at Manchester Central on 19-21 November.
The menu will focus on the flavours and seasonal produce of the Lake District that the Grasmere-based fine dining spot is known for showcasing so well. Since 2016, under Chef Paul’s leadership, the restaurant has received and retained its Michelin Star and was awarded a Michelin Green Star earlier this year in recognition of its commitment to sustainability and ingredient provenance.
With the introduction of the new residency, the fair is building on its ambition to offer Northern art buyers and collectors a hospitality experience comparable with that of leading international art fairs, while celebrating the exceptional culinary talent found here in the North.
Speaking about the residency, Thom Hetherington, Executive Chair at Manchester Art Fair, said: “Last year’s collaboration demonstrated just how naturally exceptional food and exceptional art sit together. We have spent many years building a serious community of collectors here in the North, and we want the experience we offer them to stand alongside that of the world’s leading art fairs.
“Paul is an extraordinary chef, and we are delighted to be taking the partnership a step further with a three-night residency. His creativity, attention to detail and commitment to the very best ingredients reflect the qualities we celebrate in the artists and galleries at Manchester Art Fair. It promises to be a very special addition to this year’s event.”
Paul Leonard, Head Chef at The Forest Side, said: “I really enjoyed being part of Manchester Art Fair last year, so the opportunity to return for a residency is an exciting one. There is a real connection between art and cooking: both are about creativity, craftsmanship and making something that stays with people.
“My cooking is very much shaped by Cumbria, its landscape and the people who produce such wonderful ingredients here. I’m looking forward to bringing a little of that to Manchester and creating something memorable for guests across the three days.”
Art buyers and collectors interested in attending one of the exclusive dining experiences are invited to register their interest online here. Places are limited and subject to availability.
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