This week’s food and drink news includes a whole load of festivals, including one in Moss Side at Alexandra Park this weekend, as well as Transylvanian Hungarian festival, Góbéfest, in Albert Square, a new Italian festival for Cathedral Gardens, brew taps, a gin party celebrating one year of Manchester Gin and much more.

This weekend: Reclaim Moss Side Food Festival in Alexandra Park
The Reclaim Moss Side Food Festival takes over Alexandra Park this weekend, organised by teenage girls from the area, with the aim of showcasing Moss Side’s eclectic global food, via more than 20 food vendors. Simply book your plate through the link below and tuck into a massive feast for £5 (adults) or £2.50 (under 12s). Cuisines on offer include Caribbean, Irish, Polish, Indian and Somali food. Other attractions include free face painting, music, arts and crafts and some sports stuff to try out too. (RA)
Sat 13 May, Alexandra Park, Russell Street, Manchester M16 7JL, noon-4pm, £5 adults, £2.50 children but lots of free activities too, www.reclaimproject.rit.org.uk

New menu: The Blue Pig
The Northern Quarter-based restaurant has embraced the warmer weather with a new Spring/Summer menu. With meaty burgers on offer, there is also a spicy beet and red onion bhaji burger with raita, mango chutney and red onion, alongside pan seared hake fillet with saag aloo, mint beet bhaji and pickled cauliflower, or Beavertown braised pulled pork and chorizo hash with wilted kale, truffle potatoes and peppered duck egg. There is also a small plates menu available with pork lollipops and chermoula halloumi on offer amongst many other tasty things.
Available now, The Blue Pig, 69 High Street, Manchester M4 1FS. Tel: 0161 832 0630, www.thebluepigmcr.co.uk

Coming soon: 20 years of Tampopo photography exhibition in Albert Square
Acclaimed Manchester photographer Paul Wolfgang Webster has photographed some of the country’s most famous faces, with his work being included in previous collections at the National Portrait Gallery. He’s bringing his style to Tampopo in a commemorative collaboration to celebrate the restaurant’s 20th anniversary. As part of ‘Tampopo Heroes’, 20 of their best known fans will be photographed with their favourite pan-Asian dish. Money from those dishes will then be donated to local charities when they’re ordered in the restaurants during the month. The exhibition will be displayed at the Albert Square restaurant.
From Wed 24 May, Tampopo, 16 Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PF. Tel: 0161 819 1966, www.tampopo.co.uk

Gin party: Manchester Gin’s 1st Birthday at new NQ bar, Behind Closed Doors
The gin named after the city is celebrating its first birthday and is throwing a shindig at new Northern Quarter bar, Behind Closed Doors. The basement cocktail venue hasn’t been open to the public yet so it’s the first chance to have a nosey, plus Manchester Gin are releasing treasure hunt style clues on Twitter and Facebook, with prizes to be had for the most committed. Or competitive. A member of the team will be waiting with a bottle of their gin every day from now until Thursday for the Great Manchester Gin Trail. Follow the links below for information on Thursday night’s launch party.
Thu 11 May, Behind Closed Doors, 91-95 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JR, follow: www.facebook.com or @MCR_Gin to get involved.

Italian festival: Festa Italiana 2017 in Albert Square this June
Manchester’s first free Italian festival will arrive at Cathedral Gardens, Friday 23 to Sunday 25 June. Read our preview.
Fri 23 – Sun 25 Jun, Albert Square, Manchester, www.facebook.com

Book now: Cocktails In The City at Old Granada Studios
The national cocktail event returns to Old Granada Studios this Friday – read our preview.
Fri 12 May, Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3JE, 6-11pm, £12, www.cocktailsinthecity.designmynight.com

This weekend: Transylvanian Hungarian festival, Góbéfest, in Albert Square
This weekend sees the inaugural Góbéfest arrive in Manchester. As part of the UK’s first official Transylvanian Hungarian festival, there will be a food market and much more. Read our preview.
Sat 13-Sun 14 May, Albert Square, Manchester, M2 4JW, times vary, FREE, www.gobefest.com

BREWERY POP-UPS

Galway Bay Brewing is taking over the taps at The Pilcrow Pub for the day. Showcasing five kegs with a couple of special beers on offer too, the brewer will be on hand to chat to about the brews. Wed 10 May, The Pilcrow Pub, Hanover Street, Sadler’s Yard, Manchester, M60 0AB, noon-10.30pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Kosmonaut welcome North Brewing Co through the doors to serve up their signature beers. Since opening in the iconic North Bar in Leeds back in 1997, they combine big flavours to produce innovative new beers alongside modern classics. Resident food pop-up The Hip Hop Chip Shop will be on hand to offer food pairings on the night.
Wed 10 May, Kosmonaut, 10 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF, 5-11pm, FREE,  www.facebook.com

IN SHORT

Manchester Jewish Museum is hosting an event on Sun 14 May, inviting guests to bring a dish with an interesting story behind it, to share both the food and the tale with the gathering. Details here: www.facebook.com

There is a tasting event at Evuna NQ on Mon 15 May for the wines of Catalunya with accompanying tapas canapes, booking is essential: www.facebook.com

Tue 9 May - Sun 25 Jun
Words:
Kate Holmes
Published on:
Tue 9 May 2017