Food & drink news ft. The Food Store, free coffee at Takk, Manchester Wine Festival & more

This week’s food news include new ethical food market, The Food Store for Ancoats, a free coffee event at Takk, The Pilcrow’s Summer Beer Thing Festival, Victoria Baths Open Day, Manchester Wine Festival in Chorlton Park and more.

Coming soon: Ethical, locally sourced & seasonal supermarket The Food Assembly for Ancoats
The movement to ensure residents receive locally sourced and seasonal produce is coming to Ancoats. Local representatives are currently selecting the finest producers of the area, and will then sell staple products such as vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheese and bread through an online market. On Thursday evenings, you then collect your bounty of goodies and meet the people that grew, reared, picked, baked or caught it for you. Join the mailing list on the website to be the first to know when they’re ready to go. Bringing sustainable living to the city via delicious food? Count us in.
Coming soon, 33 Blossom Street, Manchester, M4 5AF, www.thefoodassembly.com

Free coffee: Café Imports Europe Cupping event at Takk
After a US coffee cupping tour, Café Imports Europe is bringing their coffee cupping fun to Scandi café Takk. They’ll explain who they are, and then the coffee sampling and cupping will commence. There’s no ticket required, be sure to join the Facebook group below to keep updated.
Thu 29 Jun, Takk, 6 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF, 5-10pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

A good cause: Grenfell Tower fundraiser at Strange Brew
Chorlton’s Strange Brew is holding a fundraiser for people affected by London’s Grenfell Tower fire. Money donated will go straight to help those who have lost their homes and surroundings. Entry is free but there is a suggested donation of £7 to be paid at the bar, and some of the bar’s takings will also be put into the pot. There is live music all night, with local artists taking to the stage. Find details via the link below.
Thu 29 Jun, Strangebrewbar, 370 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, M21 8AG, 6-11pm, free, £7 donation, www.facebook.com

Win beer festival tickets: The Pilcrow’s Summer Beer Thing
The Pilcrow Pub is having a Summer Beer THING, with a huge amount of breweries showcasing their wares – click on the link below to peruse the extensive list. The festival is taking place on Sadler’s Yard outside the wooden chalet venue to incorporate the wealth of beers, plus there will be street food from Latin American trader Yakumama, pizzas from Wood Fire & Smoke, Mexican cooking from Al Pastor Pork, and burgers from Common. The outdoor bars will all be under cover, so no weather qualms to be had. Buy tickets for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday session below. (Or all three.) Read our preview and win tickets here.
Fri 30 Jun – Sun 2 Jul, The Pilcrow Pub, Hanover Street, Sadler’s Yard, Manchester, M60 0AB, session times vary, £8 per session www.ticketweb.uk

Victoria Baths Open Day with street food from Dim Sum Su, afternoon tea & more
Iconic Manchester venue Victoria Baths is opening the doors to the public for a special event. In the main hall, there are a range of street food sellers on offer including Dim Sum SU, Purely Pizza, Tapas y al a Carta, La Castila, Bunny Chow and Ice Cream Creations. Plus, in the beautiful surroundings of the Pineapple Room, traditional afternoon tea will be served. All presented on an eclectic mix of vintage crockery, expect scones with cream and jam, sandwiches, and a section of cakes and bakes, washed down with tea or a glass of bubbly for a fiver more. Veggie options are available. Buy tickets through the link below.
Sun 9 Jul, Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FE, 11am-4pm, £4 entry fee to the main hall and street food. Tickets available for 1.30pm or 3pm for afternoon tea (£20), or afternoon tea with fizz (£25), and a further £5 for a guided tour, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Book tickets: Manchester Wine Festival 2017 at Manchester Open Air Theatre in Chorlton Park
Early bird £5 tickets are now up for grabs for Manchester Wine Festival 2017. In collaboration with Manchester Open Air Theatre, the event takes guests on a journey around the world in 80 wines, combining old favourites and new wine kids on the block. The cost includes a festival catalogue and a glass of wine – the price doubles up soon, so get them whilst they’re cheap.
Fri 28-Sun 30 Jul, Manchester Open Air Theatre, Chorlton Park, Nell Lane, Chorlton, M21 7FZ, 3pm and 7pm session times, £5, www.manchesteropenairtheatre.com

IN SHORT
Independence Day ‘Freakshakes’ topped with pretzels and chocolate brownies will be served at The Hard Rock Café from Mon 3-Sun 9 Jul in honour of the 4th of July celebrations. Meanwhile, US brewery Lagunitas has plans to open a brewery in Manchester in the next year or so – watch this space for more.