First look: Manchester Art Gallery café returns with a new menu from ex-Masterchef finalist

As if the return of museums and art galleries wasn’t good enough – one city-centre favourite has reopened with a brand new café menu created by a well-known local chef who was a finalist on TV-hit Masterchef: The Professionals.

Previously at plant-based eatery Alvarium in the Northern Quarter, chef Adam Leavy made it through to the final eight contestants in 2013’s series of the hugely popular BBC cookery show. Now, you can find him overseeing the food output at Manchester Art Gallery’s café as Head Chef, whipping up a range of amazing new creations, each with a specific focus on sustainability, seasonality and local produce.

Creating food with a positive impact on the environment, Leavy has put together a stunning lunch menu alongside a collection of baked goods and hot and cold drinks. Visit over the coming months and you can tuck into dishes including his meat-free brie and shiitake mushroom ‘bacon’ tart (£6), wild rice and banana blossom kedgeree (£8.50), the vegan heritage tomato, chargrilled red onion and pistachio ‘feta’ salad (£7.50) and a range of sandwiches including the smoked applewood, piccalilli relish and summer squash remoulade (£6.50).

Toasties and soups are also available alongside a range of sweet treats including sticky ginger cakes (£3), white chocolate and apricot flapjacks (£3.25) and hazelnut blondies (£3). To explore Leavy’s new menu, head to the Manchester Art Gallery café website or simply drop by during your next trip to the gallery.