MFDF: First details of Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2020 announced

Update: Due to the continuing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival has been postponed until April 2021, however the MFDF20 awards will still go ahead virtually. To find out how to cast your vote, head here.

Good news, foodies – the Manchester Food and Drink Festival will still take place this year, albeit with a slightly different format to ensure the event is COVID-safe. The 23^rd annual festival will take place from 24 September – 5 October at the Festival Hub on Cathedral Gardens, with other venues around the city also participating in this massive celebration of the local food and drink scene. The Festival is still completely free to explore but visitors have the option of paying a small fee to book a table in the covered ‘Feasting Quarter’ in advance, to guarantee a seat without queuing.

Table service will be operating across the whole festival as part of the thorough safety measures that will be in place, and all menus will be available to browse via a brand new mobile app. Across the Hub at the Festival market, over forty local traders will showcase their most exciting (and sustainable) food and drink. And if you’re not feeling ready to eat out just yet, the festival programme will feature digital and ‘at home’ experiences to ensure everyone in the city can get involved.

The 23^rd Manchester Food and Drink Festival is sponsored by Just Eat, and in its new format is an incredible way to support our brilliant local eateries, breweries and food and drink businesses in this difficult year faced with such resilience by the hospitality industry. Live music will also appear at this year’s event, in a special COVID safe environment that’ll boast stripped back, acoustic versions of classic tracks while you eat.

Earlier this month, the shortlist was revealed for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2020 awards, with new categories added to recognise and reward the restaurants, chefs and venues who have pivoted their service to cater for lockdown restrictions. For the first time in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival history, the public can now vote on who they’d like to win. Head here to find out who’s nominated and to cast your vote. Full trader details are yet to be announced – so head back soon for updates.