Promotion

THE table is set for the return of the Castlefield Food Festival from Thursday 12 May to Sunday 15 May.

What's more, the chilli fanatic behind the brand is none other than rock 'n' roll drummer Manny Elias of Tears For Fears fame. Celebtastic.

It's going to be jam-packed with tasty grub to munch and some fantastic producers who are passionate about the food they create.

To make your life easier, we've rounded up our favourites.

 

Confidential's Top 5 Street Food Vendors

 

La Casita

Nothing goes with music and beer like burritos and tacos. Fingers crossed for some sunshine, but either way, La Casita will be bringing plenty of Mexican warmth to Castlefield Bowl. Their spot on burritos are absolutely rammed with goodness – all made by Guillermo. You can even get gluten free tacos, so there's Mexican loveliness for everyone.

 

Mei Mei's Street Cart

Travel straight from Castlefield Bowl to the streets of Beijing, courtesy of Mei Mei's Street Cart. Grandma we salute you. The Chinese-American twins behind Mei Mei's are recreating their granny's family recipes with jianbing (Chinese crepes) and bao which are stuffed to the gills with fillings like five-spiced aubergine and double fried garlic chicken.

 

Roly Poly

Roly Poly return to Castlefield Food Festival and this year they're going the whole hog. Tuck in to slow-roasted English shoulder of pork, infused with their own fennel and sea salt scrub and the ever-popular BBQ pulled pork served with smoky homemade slaw in a brioche bun. Yum.

 

Zouk

It's little wonder that Manchester's Zouk won best food stall at Glastonbury last year. They'll be bringing their sizzling woks and charcoal grills to cook up a storm with their storming Indian street food, all made fresh in front of you.

 

Feast At The Forge

This year's sponsors of Castlefield Food Festival, Feast At The Forge are already readying the coals to serve tasty pan-fried bratwurst and other grilled goodies. It's just the place to get your meaty carnivore fix. 

 

Confidential's Top 5 Producers

 

Cumbrian Pie Co.

Who doesn't love a pie? We certainly do – particularly when they're from the Cumbrian Pie Co. The Growlers (that's pork pies to the uninitiated) are something special and if you're a meat free type, the really cheesy cheese and onion pies are exactly as the name suggests. Pretty special.

 

In Truffle We Trust

Colourful. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Delectable. We're running out of adjectives. There are no words to describe just how heavenly the handcrafted chocolates and truffles are. Just make sure you don't miss out.

 

Manchester Cheesecake Co.

Apparently, these would make a perfect gift. As if. If you've bought any of these, you'll give in to temptation and scoff the lot long before you get home. You're doing well if you ignore the urge for even five minutes. These miniature handmade, homebaked and non-baked cheesecakes are as pretty as a picture and utterly irresistible.

 

Mr Fitzpatrick's Vintage Cordials

Mr Fitzpatrick's have been providing soft drinks to the people of Rossendale since 1899. The temperance movement may have had its day but these deliciously retro cordials are just as appealing to modern day tastes. They also taste rather fine in a cocktail if that's not too naughty a twist on the drink's original aims. There's a vast range including rhubarb and rosehip, sour cherry and hibiscus and sarsaparilla. It's the blood tonic which is the pick of the bunch, though.

 

Bongo's Rock & Roll Chilli Pickles

Chillimanjaro, millimanjaro, chillJAMjaro...it's not a tongue twister, it's a selection of the pickles on sale at Bongo's Rock & Roll Chilli Pickles. What's more, the chilli fanatic behind the brand is none other than rock 'n' roll drummer Manny Elias of Tears For Fears fame. Celebtastic.

Find out more about Castlefield Food Festival here