MANCHESTER FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL 2009

Watch Manchester’s streets come alive this October as the city celebrates its fine food and delicious drinks during this year’s much-acclaimed Food and Drink Festival.

The weather may have taken on an unexpected chill but that won’t stop AGENT2’s readers come out in full force to taste exciting cuisines from the region’s best chefs. In the week long event, the festival takes place in various venues around the city centre allowing everyone to sample some of the country’s best food, made and produced in the Northwest.

MFDF’s Executive Director, Phil Jones said: “This year’s festival aims to highlight the best of Manchester, focusing more than ever on the great dining and drinking businesses we have here in Greater Manchester… [and] show the rest of the nation how much they have to offer.”

This gastronomic extravaganza, from October 1-12, has become one of the UK’s flagship food events, enticing foodies, experts and hungry passersby from all over the country. Last year, over 250,000 people nibbled their way through the 11-day festival, and this year expects to top that with new events and the return of popular classic fêtes.

Some of this year’s line-up includes the Fine Food Market, Oktoberfest, and the Whisky and Local Wine Festivals.

The carnival kicked off with the temporary establishment of the Fine Food Village in St. Anne’s Square, last Thursday October 1. Here the best chefs and producers from around the region congregate to show their masterpieces and take part in the Fine Food Market. Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere by popping over at lunchtime and sampling some of Manchester’s highest quality food and drink.

Throughout the week, the lively festival will keep burning with daily chef demonstrations at the Festival’s Chef Demonstration Theatre. Learn the latest techniques, pick up some unique culinary ideas and choose from the finest ingredients at the market, to recreate these succulent dishes at home.

Each weekday evening a series of dining events will take part in the city’s fanciest restaurants. The Dinner in the City Series in Association with Forever Manchester Festival sees chefs and MFDF create unique specific menus for each restaurant which will give the diner a scrumptious, if not surprising, evening.

The event that expects to see Manchester’s biggest turnout is the Albert Square’s Festival Finale Pavilion, from Friday October 9 – Sunday October 11. Thousands are anticipated to turn up at the outdoor celebration to witness a number of events take place in Manchester’s notorious square. Featuring Lancashire’s quality manufacturers and food brands, you can choose from a selection of market produce, hot snacks, restaurant samples, Germany’s legendary Oktoberfest to the extremely popular Real Ale Festival.

Oktoberfest, a traditional German festival, is an extravaganza of fabulous food, traditional beer and live brass brand entertainment. If you haven’t brought your lederhosen then why not try some delicious German sausages and wash them down with Paulaner? Clap traditional Stein ale glasses together and join in on the charismatic Bavarian song and dance.

Director of MFDF, Siobhan Hanley is looking forward to the four-day event, adding: “We think Bavarian beer will go down very well, providing a unique option for visitors to the pavilion, particularly as this will be the only Oktoberfest happening in Manchester.”

Official sponsors, Lufthansa are also offering two lucky festival-goers the chance to win flights to Germany, the homeland of an authentic Oktoberfest’s festival. Enter via the website or at the pavilion itself.

Last year, MFDF’s first Real Ale Festival blew visitors away. The unprecedented success of this bona fide British gala has led to the return of this fair. From October 9-11, around 30 local breweries and micro-breweries will take their place in the Taste Tent in Albert Square, with their best autumn beers for you to sample and sup. Guests have to buy a minimum of £5 beer tokens to enter the marquee.

Brewers will be vying for two awards for their smooth tipples: The People’s Pint, voted by you, Manchester’s ale devotees and The Manchester Ale of the Year, chosen by expert judges. Winners will be announced at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony on Monday October 12, the last event in this year’s MFDF calender. Fifteen awards in total will be given to the region’s best restaurants, producers and bars, chosen by both professionals and the public. Presented by the Hairy Bikers, this prestigious event will round the festival off in style with banquets and guaranteed delicious, succulent food. The public can buy tickets for £92 from www.mfdfgaladinnerandawards.eventbrite.com.

With a catalogue of appetising activities and events too long to list here, it’s really best if you check it out for yourself. Whether you’re passing by on your way back from work or you find yourself supping real ale on the weekend, MFDF is a sure way to enjoy yourself with quality food, excellent company and superb drinks.

Don’t let the October wind put you off; warm your cockles with Bavarian beer and wander through its maze of stalls, sampling some exquisite hot freshly cooked snacks. The MFDF is not only an opportunity to bask in the exceptionally high standard of our region’s food and cooking but, it’s also a fabulous way to spend the weekend.

Just remember to bring your coat.

Visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com for more information, to vote or enter competitions, and the full schedule of events.

Words Natasha Al-Atassi