Manchester Food & Drink News ft. Levy Gin Fest, Wakefield Rhubarb Fest & Finding Dory Film Club

Manchester food and drink news this week includes Wakefield Food, Drink and Rhubarb Festival, Levenshulme Gin Festival at the Klondyke, Harvey Nichols’ half term Finding Dory Film Club with high tea included – and much more…

This weekend: Wakefield Food, Drink and Rhubarb Festival
The famous Rhubarb Triangle area is playing host to the annual Wakefield Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb this weekend. Held at a number of venues with the town centre, the festival showcases local food and drink providers and celebrates the region’s unique tradition of rhubarb forcing.
This year Jean-Christophe Novelli is joining the line-up and giving demos. There will be live cookery demonstrations, street food, walks and tours as well as street entertainment. Over 40 stalls will be selling rhubarb goods to take home, visit  for more details.
Fri 17 – Sun 19 Feb, Wakefield, various venues, FREE, www.experiencewakefield.co.uk

Book tickets: Levenshulme Gin Festival at the Klondyke
The Klondyke Club is the venue for the festival’s inaugural year. Guests will be presented with a specialised gin glass whilst being serenaded in by the strains of a local harpist. Inside, over 80 different types of gin, plus gin cocktails will be on offer, with plenty of demos and samples as well. There will be live music all evening with a jazz band, a Balkan brass and wind band, Levy Choir and DJs into the night. Food will be available, with meaty and vegan options, plus gin trifles and cakes for dessert.
Fri 17 Feb, Klondyke Club, 1 Burnage Range, Manchester, M19 2HQ, 7-11.30pm, £10, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Free food fair: GRUB at Alphabet Brewing Co.
As is the case every week, the food fair welcomes an impressive group of street food pop-ups to join them at local Alphabet Brewing Company. Under the train arches and five minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station, the bar accepts cards but bring cash for the food stalls. Teesside favourites ParmStar are back, offering the local delicacy of fried chicken with béchamel sauce and cheese served in a brioche bun. Oh/Mei/Dumpling will be serving up their steamed dumpling treats, Mac Daddies will be dishing up the ultimate comfort food, Vaso Kitchen are bringing their Kati Rolls back to Manchester, plus vegan bakery Nicely Kitchen have dessert covered. There will be veggie and gluten free options available. DJs Iwan Roberts and Jeff O’Toole will provide the soundtrack, and Alphabet’s beers will be served from the source along with ciders, wine and soft drinks.
Sat 18 Feb, Alphabet Brewing Company, 99 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6JL, noon-10pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Supper club: Firestone Walker beer-matched menu at Didsbury’s Saison
American brewers Firestone Walker have selected five of their beers to get matched up with five dishes, created by Saison’s chefs. The restaurant’s menu specialises on smaller modern British plates of locally sourced ingredients, perfect for sharing, which will work well with the five-course dish and beer pairings. Booking required.
Thu 23 Feb, Saison, 236 Burton Road, Manchester, M20 2LW. Tel: 0161 434 9521, 7.30-11pm, £22.50, www.facebook.com

Book tickets: Finding Dory film club & themed High Tea at Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols second floor brasserie isn’t a space usually associated with all the family – but that’s about to change this half term with the launch of a family-friendly kids film club. Tuck into specially themed sandwiches and shell-shaped cakes while taking in one of the best animations of the decade. Booking essential.
Mon 20 Feb, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Brasserie, 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Tel: 0161 828 8898, 11am-1pm, adults £20, children £12, www.harveynichols.com

Pop up: Vegan street food from Wholesome Junkie at Ancoats General Store
The next chapter of weekly food pop-up SCRANcoats welcomes vegan street food outfit Wholesome Junkie. Expect dishes such as slow roasted BBQ pulled ‘pork’ jackfruit burger with slaw and tortilla chips, coconut, sweet potato and chickpea curry with herbed flatbread, homemade pizzas and salads.
Thu 16 Feb, Ancoats General Store, 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AB, noon-8pm, www.twitter.com

Free jazz: Lucy Mae sings live at The Fitzgerald
Local jazz artist Lucy Mae will be playing some classics, whilst venue Fitzgerald’s furnishes you with two for £10 Tanqueray cocktails. Pop in for a rewind and relax.
Thu 16 Feb, The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DB, 9-11pm, www.facebook.com

IN SHORT
Thu 16 Feb: Port Street Beer House taps takeover, Brighton Bier and Imperial Leisure launch, from 5pm. Watch this space: DV8 Designs have been appointed to redesign Wilmslow’s The Stanneylands.