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The countdown to the UK's biggest and best urban food and drink
festival kicks off this week as Manchester gears up for its 13th
celebration of all things food and drink.
Building on previous success, this year's Festival boasts exciting
new partners, high profile participants, new event concepts and a
brand new Festival Pavilion on Albert Square. The theme has a local
and regional focus, celebrating heritage, iconic brands, products and people.
The region's food scene is as wonderful and exciting as ever, and
this year's event is all about enjoying that. That's not to say there
won't be some meaningful messages included, but this year Manchester
Food & Drink Festival is all about spreading positivity,
excitement and promoting the vibrant businesses that the region has
to offer - think 'good food' plain and simple. It's about
celebration, fun and, dare we say it, a bit of frivolity.
The 'Manchester Icon' top-line sponsors so far announced, embody this
theme and include Holland's Pies (Headline Sponsor), Manchester City
Council, Manchester Evening News, Robinson's Brewery, Metrolink and
Forever Manchester.
All partners have committed to supporting a Festival that will
deliver the best and most celebratory experience yet for the people
of Manchester, and for visitors from outside the region
Key Festival Highlights:
o The Festival Opening Weekend: The Festival Pavilion, Albert Square,
1 - 3 October
For the first time ever we are kicking off the Festival with a
brand-new outdoor event on Albert Square that comprises a totally new
layout and a series of events linked together to start the
celebration of that is great about food and drink with a real bang:
- The MFDF Chilli Festival in association with Fiery Foods: Albert
Square, 1 October
A new addition to this year's event... plans to spice up the
programme for those who like things hot are well underway, with
around 25 of the UK's best chilli stalls descending on the city for
the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. More details to follow.
- The MFDF Oktober Festival in association with KRO: Albert Square, 1
- 3 October
After last year's hugely popular event we are recreating a flavour of
a Munich Bier Keller with an outstanding range of German beers, plus
food and music from the heart of Bavaria!
- The MFDF Chocolate Festival in association with Chocolate Cafe:
Albert Square, 1 October
Another new addition to this year's event, Albert Square will become
a chocolate-lovers paradise with 25+ of the UK's best chocolatiers
bringing their finest wares to MFDF... Plus we are running a 'Golden
Ticket' competition with our specially commissioned 'Manchester Tart'
flavoured chocolate bars with 3 lucky winners snapping up amazing
foodie related prizes.
- The MFDF Real Ale Festival: Festival Pavilion, Albert Square, 2
& 3 October
In association with CAMRA we bring visitors a full-on regional beer
bonanza with award winning ales to try, expert chat with the brewers
and your chance to have your say in this year's People's Pint Award!
- The MFDF City Fete in association with Forever Manchester: Festival
Pavilion, Albert Square, 3 October
A foodie village fete in the heart of the city? Yep, we're bringing
the best traditional and community-led activities to the Pavilion for
our very own urban Autumn fete. Think tombola's, kids rides,
community food stalls, cake sales and competitions, coconut shies,
hog roasts, local bands and simply loving Manchester. This event is
staged in association with Festival Partners 'Forever Manchester'.
o Local Producers Market: St Ann's Square, 1 - 11 October
St Ann's Square will be host to a plethora of the region's finest
food producers, plus tasty, locally created hot dinners and lunches
will be served up to enjoy on the Square.
o Restaurant Programme: Manchester's Best Restaurants, Bars, Pubs,
Café & Delis, 1 - 11 Oct
Hundreds of events within the city's best eating establishments will
be the most creative yet, offering visitors the chance to dine at the
finest restaurants in the city at astonishing prices, and at exciting
events.
o The MFDF Whisky Festival in assoc. with The Whisky Lounge:
Manchester Town Hall, 2 & 3 Oct
Dozens of drams from the finest producers across the land. The
Manchester Whisky Festival is back! Following the huge success of the
first Whisky Festival in 2009, we're taking over another iconic venue
in the shape of Manchester Town Hall to bring visitors one of the
most serious whisky events in the UK.
o The Festival Finale: The Festival Pavilion, Albert Square, 7 - 10 October
The Festival Pavilion returns, but like it's never been seen before;
themed dining areas, multiple bars including the Festival Pavilion
Bar sponsored by Robinson's Brewery, chef demonstrations, the
Festival daily BBQ and an outdoor street dinner party are all in the
offing. Full details to be announced soon, but The Festival Finale
promises to make a big splash in 2010.
o The Holland's Pies 'Rovers Return on the Square': Albert Square, 7
- 10 October
Especially for the Festival, Headline Sponsors 'Holland's Pies' are
to recreate the UK's most famous pub setting, as we build a bespoke
'Rovers Return on the Square'. Festival revellers can enjoy delicious
hot pies in the iconic surroundings of the Rovers, all of which will
be themed around Coronation Street to celebrate their upcoming 50th Anniversary.
o The MFDF Big Indie Wine Fest: People's History Museum, 9 & 10 October
The second MFDF Wine Festival will feature the very best independent
wine merchants from the region showcasing some truly bespoke and
unique wines. A serious wine event for enthusiasts, connoisseurs and
novices alike, the dramatically refurbished People's History Museum
will be the location for this year's event with spaces used for
tastings as well as specialist master-classes and tutorials.
o The MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards: Hilton Manchester Deansgate, 11
October
The Gala Dinner and Awards are the highest profile food and drink
awards in the region. They will once again be distributed at the most
hotly anticipated awards event in the city.
Phil Jones, Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, said:
"We're truly excited about this year's event, and with strong
commitment from celebrated local brands, we're confident that this
year's Festival will be a remarkable event."
Siobhan Hanley, Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival,
added, "This year's Festival will be the most exciting yet - the
ambition is to create an event that can compete on a national stage,
whilst staying true to the people, products, and brands that make
Manchester great!" |
