The first ‘Too Many Critics’ event to happen outside of London took place at Damson Restaurant at MediaCityUK last night (Monday 17th March). Some of the nation’s top food critics swapped positions with their kitchen based counterparts, as they catered for a room filled with 130 of the region’s best known chefs and restaurateurs. The evening was hosted by BBC’s Nigel Barden, and the journalists taking part were from both London and Manchester.
The evening kicked off with a Taittinger Champagne and canapé reception, ahead of guests being treated to all the action in the kitchen via live screens around the restaurant. The evening was concluded with an auction for prizes including a restaurant with Jay Rayner, a holiday in the Gambia, and some unique fine art. The amateur kitchen team succeeded in feeding their guests promptly, and the reverse criticism was largely positive, with the event raising a huge £13,000 for humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger.
Rihanna and Drake, along with their entourage, paid a visit to Zouk Manchester on the evening of Thursday 13th 2014, whilst Drake was in Manchester for his performance at the Phones4U Arena. The group worked their way through the menu, ordering specialist dishes from the unique Indian grill menu including Chilo Kebab, King Prawns, Steak, as well as Lobster Thermador, which were then washed down with cocktails & shots. The party had a fantastic evening, and vowed to return in the future. Drake previously dined at Zouk in 2012.
Living Ventures are set to continue their rapid expansion programme, with the launch of another Gusto outlet on Manchester's popular Deansgate. The new restaurant will cost £2 million, and will be located in the current Olive premises on Lloyd St, but will be expanded into the building next door. Furthermore, the company's Botanist brand is also coming to Deansgate, in what is currently the Label bar. There is seemingly no end to Living Ventures domination of Manchester.
Lancashire food mecca Northcote has opened it's own cookery school, hot on the heels of its recent opening of the Louis Roederer room. The long standing 1 Michelin star holder is upping its foodie game to diversify, with cooking classes will be available to all levels of talent, being held by Northcotes own tutors, aswell as occasional master classes by Nigel Haworth and Lisa Allen. _ 31st Mar 2014
The Manchester Cake and Bake show is set to take over Manchester Central between the 04-06 April during which time thousands of keen bakers were in attendance to enjoy exhibitions, competitions and cooking demos from John Whaite, Andy Bates, Rosemary Shrager, Simon Rimmer and many more. The sell-out event is fast becoming a regular on the Manchester foodie calendar. _ 26th Mar 2014
Ramsbottom based local food hero Chris Johnson has stepped away from his long standing yet as of late, struggling restaurant; Ramsons, and has handed over full ownership and operations to Louise Varley, his former head chef and business partner
. _ 24th Mar 2014
The city’s latest gastropub offering, Beef and Pudding, is nearing completion at it’s Fountain Street base. The newly released menu contains old school British favourites, with some lesser known offerings. _ 18th Mar 2014
Northcote, the Lancashire gourmet foodie Mecca is almost ready to welcome its first students to it’s cookery school. Set to open in April, the school will offer courses on a variety of techniques, over a choice of full and half days, aimed at students of all skill levels. _ 17th Mar 2014
Authentic Moroccan cuisine is coming to The Downs in Altrincham, in the form of Myraid. Speciality dishes will include Tagine dishes, couscous dishes, slow cooked meats and aromatic poultry. Launch is set for April 4th. _ 17th Mar 2014
Indepedant restaurant group Mud Crab have taken over the former Fellicini unit on Oxford Street, over from the Palace Theatre, in a venture named Kitchenette. The 100 cover eatery is set to serve ‘High end junk food’. _ 14th Mar 2014
Corn Exchange Italian favourite Salvis is broadening its wings in the city, via a new outlet named Salvis Cucina, located at 19 John Dalton Street. Consultations end on April 4th. _ 13th Mar 2014
Manchester's Chinese restaurant stars; Yang Sing and also Sweet Mandarin, have both been given Pagoda awards by the Legacy of Taste. Yang Sing was awarded a 2 tier rating, and Sweet Mandarin a 1 tier score, out of a maximum of 3 tiers. Only 32 restaurants across the country were included in the awards, so clearly these inclusions are a massive feather in Manchester's culinary cap. _ 12th Mar 2014
BBQ maestros Southern 11 are launching a new Manchester vs Food challenge. The challenge will consist of a 20oz burger, 20 super spicy wings, and a bucket of fries. The challenge costs £29.99 to enter, but is free if you complete it within 45 minutes. _ 11 Mar 2014
Large Chinese buffet restaurant in Chinatown, International Buffet; has closed down. A planning application has been submitted by Done Brothers, to reopen the property as a Betfred. _ 07 Mar 2014
Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has launched a new under 500 calorie menu. The new menu features dishes including Pasta Pomodoro and Freedom Salad. Several dishes include the option to add extra items. _ 06th Mar 2014
Renowned chef, restaurateur and TV personality Marco Pierre White has signed a franchise agreement with Sanguine Hospitality which is expected to see around 50 new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill and Marco’s New York Italian concepts rolled out in the UK within the next five years.
The first restaurant to be opened will be Marco’s New York Italian, in Manchester. The 150 cover restaurant offering American/Italian food at affordable prices with a touch of glamour will be located in Hotel Indigo which is currently under construction close to Victoria Station on Corporation Street is expected to open in 2015 _ 05th Mar 2014
Brewdog the independent Scottish brewer has teamed up with London based Honest Burger to create the limited edition BrewBurger. The BrewBurger which is the first burger to be given an ABV is made up of an aged beef patty, comte cheese, bacon candied with 5am Saint, beef dripping, onions fried in Punk IPA and a BBQ reduction made from Paradox. If that wasn’t enough brewdog beer, the brewburger comes served with a bottle Bourbon Baby which has been created to complement the burger. The beer and burger combo, will be sold for a limited period in Brewdog bars around the country and Honest Burger restaurants in the south. _ 05th Mar 2014
