Food and drink news ft. a trip to Stockport, sushi and the Big Indie Wine Fest

This week’s food and drink news features a cheese and beer pairing at The Pilcrow, two great boozy reasons to head to Stockport this weekend, a sushi masterclass, a charity dinner at The Koffee Pot and tickets are now available for the Big Indie Wine Fest.

Cheese and beer pairing evening at The Pilcrow
Take five specially selected cheeses from artisan food producers Harvey & Brockless, and match them with five of The Pilcrow’s finest bottled and draught beers and what have you got? A lovely evening. Buy your ticket via the link below and join them in an informal tasting session, guided by a guest cheese expert, and the resident beer aficionados.
Wed 20 Sep, The Pilcrow Pub, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AB, 7.30-8.30pm, tickets are £18.50,  www.eventbrite.co.uk

This weekend in Stockport:
Just an eight minute train journey from Manchester, there are a couple of events in Stockport this weekend that are worth popping over for.
1) Beer festival at Robinsons
Stockport has a wealth of beer events going on from Thu 21 Sep until Sun 1 Oct for Stockport Beer Week, including Robbie’s Beer Fest at iconic and long-standing brewery Robinsons. With many beers and ciders on offer to sample, there will also be food on hand and live music from 6.30pm.
Fri 22 Sep, Robinsons Brewery Visitor Centre, Apsley Street, Stockport, SK1 1YE, 3-11pm, email events@frederic-robinson.co.uk or call 0161 612 4100 for £4 advance tickets or buy on the door for £5, www.facebook.com
2) Gin Jamboree at Stockport Town Hall
Wisely side-stepping the nonsensical portmanteau of ‘ginboree’, Stockport Town Hall is hosting a celebration of gin, with over 100 on offer to taste as a classic G&T or a cocktail. Included in the ticket price is entry to the event, an unbranded copa-style gin glass to take home, a gin guide and a Louisiana Jambalaya supper. There will be plenty of distillers and mixologists around to chat to offer advice on the perfect gin combinations. More information and tickets are available via the link below.
Fri 22-Sat 23 Sep, 6.30-11.30pm, tickets are £15, www.ginjamboree.co.uk

Sushi masterclass at NQ bar Cottonopolis
Northern Quarter bar Cottonopolis is running an open session to teach guests the art and history of sushi making. Beginning by sampling a sparkling sake, the head chef will then explain the process, before the class give it a go themselves. There will be plenty of sake, sushi and sashimi to sample, as well as the fruits of your own labour. Email bookings@cottonopolis-nq.com to reserve your place.
Sun 24 Sep, Cottonopolis, 16 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 2AE, 4-6pm, tickets are £30 Tel: 0161 236 5144 and @cottonopolisNQ.

Book MFDF17 tickets: The Big Indie Wine Fest at Manchester Hall
It returns for another year of wine-fuelled excellence. Taking up residence in the newly restored Manchester Hall, there will be a plethora of independent wine merchants, as well as masterclasses and tastings galore. There are three sessions available and one has already sold out, so be hasty with ticket buying to avoid missing out.
Fri 6-Sat 7 Oct, Manchester Hall, 36 Bridge Street, M3 3BT, Tel: 0161 832 6256, times vary, www.foodanddrinkfestival.com

Charity dinner: Drunken Butcher’s Around The World in #8ishSteaks at The Koffee Pot
Local outfit Drunken Butcher has joined forces with Prevent Breast Cancer for a one-off dinner with a typically meaty menu. It will take place at The Koffee Pot and a minimum of £10 per ticket will go to the charity. Not only will there be eight cuts of steak, they will also be cooked in eight different styles according to the country in question.
There will be fillet carpaccio from Italy, skirt fajita from Mexico, Thai hangar steak, American BBQ sirloin, South American flatiron with chimmichurri, French rump with wild mushroom sauce, English rib eye with proper gravy and chips, finishing with Irish steak and stout suet crust pie. There will also be a charity raffle and auction on the night – join them to travel the world through a fantastic menu for a worthy cause.
Wed 18 Oct, 7-10pm, tickets are £40, The Koffee Pot, 84-86 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE, www.eventbrite.co.uk

IN SHORT
If you’ve always wanted to own your own business in the food and drink industry or any other, go and hear the duo behind GRUB food empire discuss entrepreneurial approaches.
Thu 21 Sep, 10-10.30am, Performance Space, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD: www.eventbrite.co.uk