(26/09/2014)
Stuff your faces and quench your thirst, as the Manchester food and drink festival returns. Everyone flocked to sample cuisine from restaurants all over Manchester and further; with traditional Greek and Vietnam street food on offer, alongside other familiar faces such as Piggie Smalls and Bangers and Bacon. 2014 is set to help one splurge a little before drinking away your work stresses in the 100 Greatest Beers Fest, while listening to some live music performances by a collection of indie and acoustic artists.
Spirits were already from the get go, as can be expected for a Friday evening. Newcomers and seasoned attendees grabbed hold of a pale, dark, amber or bitter ale, wetting their whistles with one of the numerous beverages available. After sampling 'The Devil's Bedpost' and being kicked in the back of the throat with a sharp aftertaste, many washed it down with something a little smoother, in the form of a 'Vanilla Jack' or 'Jasmine Green Tea'. One guest described it as 'a sweet amber treat for the taste buds'.
Under the canopy, at one end of the beer tent, visitor's ears were delighted by a live band, who performed folksy and indie sounds that perfectly captured the atmosphere on what was a sunny and blissful evening. While some there listened with adoration, others sat at the long benches with family and friends, soaking up alcohol like stories, letting the music surround them. All may agree that the acoustic tone certainly encapsulated the essence of the end of summer in Manchester; this, after all, is a city thriving on it's musical influences.
Once palettes were cleansed, and stomachs began to grumble, everyone seemed adamant about pigging out a little. And where better to do that than Piggie Smalls or Bangers and Bacon. The former presenting hand-crafted hot dogs cleverly named after popular rap stars. Chilli Con "Kanye" West and Notorious P.I.G were just two of the artists/dishes on offer. Bangers and Bacon however took prides in its heat rather than its witty name. If you have love for all things fiery and spicy, then try their tantalizing corn-dog creation, which will leave you salivating and perspiring you'll wish you were back in the beer tent. Another original creation came in the form of the dinner dog. Just as the name describes, this is an all in one roast dinner, battered and conveniently served on a stick. If you haven't eaten, or you're just in a rush, then the combination of beef sausage, peas, carrots, potato and Yorkshire batter will satisfy all your needs.
If you haven't the iron throat, or want to avoid grabbing the Gaviscon rather than deal with copious amounts of heat, then may be something sweeter or more aromatic will suit your needs. In fact, their was a nice array of stalls equipped with cuisines with various tastes and flavours. Many were extensions of the restaurants in Manchester, including: Tampopo, Odd Bar and Rozafa. Although these restaurants themselves unfortunately didn't present any new dishes, they were of course recognisable treats in the midst of the unfamiliar independent restaurants, of which most of the foodies eagerly sampled.
People flocked up and down Albert Square sampling as much as they could, selling most places out before six o'clock. Queues were never ceasing at The Lotus, as foodies got their fix with eastern promises fulfilled with trays of creamy, aromatic specialty curries. However, many including myself preferred the succulent, alluring sweetness of oriental cuisine. The sweet and spicy smells that emerges from the Viet Shack did not fail to capture the attention of anyone who passed the stall. Their simple and elegant 'In a hurry Curry' for anyone looking for a a mild tangy flavour, that was hearty and moreish. Although somewhat overshadowed by the appetizing pork belly and noodle salad. Slow-roasted pork belly served on a bed of noodles and garnished with salad and finished with lemon sauce, and your choice of chilli flavourings. Quite simply a pleasure sensation for those that was persuaded by the texture and spice palette of excellent traditional Vietnamese cooking.
To balance out an evening of light drinking and heavy food consumption, there was the feature attraction, in the form of the Pavilion. With sets events on over the course of the nine days, including on the second Friday a Hotel Football live cook off featuring Gary Neville. An exclusive ticketed event that promoted what is to come at Old Trafford in November, with Neville and Giggs joint venture. Cookery lessons, lectures and tutorials were all present from regional and national chefs, alongside baking and cake decorating workshops.
So, if you are in the mood for food, and are on the brink and need a drink, let the Manchester Food and Drink Festival be your first and only stop. Share in compelling meals, thirst quenching beverages, original live music talent and a plethora of activities, that are all bound tight with a friendly and accommodating atmosphere.
