Free things to do this week ft. Cooking at Altrincham Hub, Nick Steed at Pen and Pencil + more

Cooking Class at Altrincham Hub
If you’re looking for ways to save money, then one of the best ways is to cut down on waste with households throwing away hundreds of pounds worth of food every year. This class, run by sustainable cooking group Cracking Good Food, aims to develop cooking skills in order to reduce waste and save money, but also looks at building confidence in the kitchen: The key to being a better, more efficient cook. Booking in advance via email is essential, so get on it right this second!
Mon 2 Nov, Altrincham Hub, Pownall Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2SZ. 11.30am – 2pm, www.crackinggoodfood.org

Wired For Sound at Kosmonaut (pictured)
A recent addition to Kosmonaut’s packed calendar, this monthly quiz hosted by Radio X’s Hattie Pearson focuses in on music from the 80s through to present day. If you’re someone who always the nails the music round of your local pub quiz, then this is definitely the night for you. If you can battle your way through an assault course of music trivia you can get your hands on the very generous £100 prize.
Tue 3 Nov, Kosmonaut, 10 Tariff St, Manchester, M1 2FF. 7pm – 9pm, www.kosmonaut.co

Live Jazz at The Pen and Pencil
Something to get over the midweek hump, here: Renowned pianist Nick Steed is dropping by new Northern Quarter bar The Pen and Pencil to give a live performance on the old ivories. In a decades-spanning career, he’s worked with greats such as Jools Holland and Van Morrison and played all over the world, so who knows when he’ll next blow through town. This is the first of a series of monthly live music nights at the venue, so it’d be wise to keep an eye on their social media feeds to see what’s arriving in the coming months.
Wed 4 Nov, The Pen and Pencil, Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester, M1 2EJ. Tel: 0161 660 3303, 8pm, www.thepenandpencilnq.co.uk

Making Space at Manchester Art Gallery
These regular workshops invite you to curate and photograph an object, creating a unique piece – you can check out their Flickr account to see past curations. It’s a small, fun way to do something a little creative in the middle of the week and meet up with other artists.
Thu 5 Nov, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888, 6pm – 8pm, www.manchesterartgallery.org