As Christmas approaches, food and drink is never far from anyone’s mind – whether it’s getting ready to stuff a turkey or ourselves – but it’s all gone a bit quiet on Manchester’s food and drink news this week as vendors brace themselves for the rush that’s too come. However, that’s not to say we’ve not got some bits and pieces for you to tuck into it – there’s news of TWO new food halls opening and we’re sure we’ll have news of more soon. There’s a new chef at Tast on King Street, and Honest Burger have gone all Christmassy – and for a bit of Christmas cheers, a local chef is making a name for himself on Masterchef and you can tune in on Thursday to see how he’s done in the final.
It’s hard to say you’re a modern town… ah we know the drill – and leafy Didsbury is the latest to welcome a food hall in the shape of the latest offering from the people behind Produce Hall in Didsbury. After a few missteps, the Stockport food hall has settled in to the area around the market and it is hoped that Didsbury will be just as accommodating to the familiar street food names. Joining from Produce Hall are Chaat Cart as well as Angkor Soul who will be bringing a new concept Kambuja to the hall. Stephen Pilling will also have his own food offerings operating under different names, though there’s hope for more local traders to join in. The new foodhall can be found on Wilmslow Road on the site of the old La Cantina restaurant.
Fine dining Spanish restaurant Tast have announced a new head chef for their King Street restaurant. The restaurant, co-owned by City manager Pep Guardiola, have appointed Alejandro Calvo, who has worked under Paco Perez for many years helping to achieve his sixth star at Terra in S’Agaro last year. The chef has already started at Tast and will be aiming to make his mark on the restaurant in the New Year.
Honest Burger has fitted in nicely into Manchester’s burger world as Mancunians have had their first chance to try their famed rosemary fries and burgers and they’re hoping to fit nicely into our Christmas celebrations too. Until Tuesday 24 December (Christmas Eve) diners can chow down on an Honest Christmas Burger featuring bacon, cranberry sauce, and camembert (as well as a burger, obviously) for £12.50.
Manchester has quite a good relationship with Manchester – not least thanks to Wood restaurants setting up in the city, and there’s another Mancunian enjoying the cooking competition. Exose Lopo-Ndinga, who works at James Martin Manchester, has made it to finals week of Masterchef: The Professionals with the chef de partie’s desserts impressing the judges. This Thursday 19 December will see the final four compete to be crowned champion, as they produce a three course meal worthy of the judges in under three hours. Having already won Chef Of The Year 2019, Exose is unlikely to be too fazed by the competition.
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 17 Dec 2019
It’s hard to say you’re a modern town around Manchester these days without your own version of a food hall so Sale residents can rejoice with news that the brains behind Ancoats General Store and Stretford’s recent foodhall has opened up in the Square Shopping Centre. With just over a month since the tease that the venue was coming, Mital Morar and his team are already open and ready to welcome locals. The venue will be familiar to those who know the group’s other offerings, with a grocery and bakery selection available alongside street food vendors. There will also be craft beer from some of the city and further afield’s best breweries. Keep an eye on their twitter for news of the vendors who will be taking part following Asian street food purveyors Slurp, Crackle and Pop, joining.