d e t o o b e R & Drink
9 March 20r0ee F
Food
05 The Taste Issue
March At Luso Exciting News! New Spring Menu Launches This March.
We are working hard on many new and wonderful dishes. Ask in restaurant for full details
Sunday Lunch at Luso
Starts end March. Your choice of 2 or 3 courses. Serving Bairrada style suckling pig Advance booking is advised
Midweek Supper Club March 16th & 30th March 16th Menu Glass of wine on arrival ................. Salada Luso apricot, presunto & oregano dressed leaves ................. Whole Grilled Sardines served with homemade toasted bread ................. Wild Boar & Chive Sausages Award winning sausages from Mettricks of Glossop, parsley mash & homemade baked beans ................. Rhubarb Fool Custard creams, candied rhubarb ÂŁ25 per person Book early for this one as tables go very fast!
LUSO Portuguese Restaurant 63 Bridge Street Manchester M3 3BQ 0161 839 5550 www.lusorestaurant.co.uk
Aperitif
Editors Letter
Welcome to the new look Feast magazine! Here at Feast we’ve been busy putting together our new ‘oversized’ monthly mag. However we’re still the same Feast in many ways – we’re still free and dedicated to taking an unpretentious look at food and drink in Manchester, the Northwest and further a field. We’re driven by the quality of our un-biased content, and now we have the look to match - the perfect blend of style and substance. As you can see from our front cover, each issue will have a theme running throughout, and a section dedicated to our cover story. This month the theme is taste... we have exercised our knowledge of the local food scene and culinary curiosity, as well as that of some well educated foodies in the know, to bring you our selection of the ultimate things to taste in the local area and the wider world. We are always keen to hear from our readers and gain your insight into our publication, or any suggestions you may have on items or stories you think we should feature. So please write to us at the address below if you have any comments. Happy Tasting! Claire & Caroline Feast Magazine, 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HY
Contents 8 - 10 Feast News
14 Book Club
12 Room Service
16 Wine Club
Feast rounds up the local food news just for you.
The Alderley Edge Hotel have undergone a very nice facelift to give their customers just that little bit more. Feast got the grand tour.
This month: Fair Trade
This month: Afford Luxury
18 - 20 Interviews
24 - 28 Taste Issue
32 Feast Loves
We chat with Anne Connolly of Larkton Hall & Bryn Evans, new chef at the lovely Obsidian
We have tasted many a treat for this latest issue, here are our 19 things to eat now
Here are the things we couldn’t do without now we know about them.
22 Eat Out
30 Eat In
34 Giveaway
This month: Vermilion
As it is Fairtrade fortnight, we thought we would tempt you with the most delicious recipe we have tried all week
Want to win some stuff. This is the page for you!
Editors Claire Hampshire & Caroline Leyberg Art Director Amanda Greenwood Photographer Mark Winkley Sales Director Gary Greenwood +44 (0) 7794 616482 Publisher Ampersand Media
Starters
News & Views
The “recession” is hitting Manchester and London the least so even during the doom and gloom we still have something to celebrate up North. Here is what made our ears prick up this month. Pieminister Pies
Yang Sing Hotel
Yang Sing Closes
Chic city centre boutique hotel, Yang Sing Oriental, has just announced its- closure, effective immediately, less than a year after it opened. It is situated in a refurbished textile warehouse next door to the Yang Sing Restaurant, which is not affected by this closure. Another victim of the economic crisis, the hotel owners faced an uphill struggle when they opened this wonderfully elegant hotel with 5 star customer service in June last year. Unfortunately they have lost the battle this time, but we hope they give it another go in a more stable economy as it is a shame to lose a hotel of such a standard as this, and one of the city centre’s only boutiques.
Eccles Farmers Market
Last month saw the first ever farmers market take place in Eccles and this month we will see another. Organised by The Eccles Shopping Centre, the first ‘taster’ market was arranged in response to local residents’ wishes to support local, smaller businesses and encourage diversity and choice in Eccles. More and more farmers markets are cropping up all over the UK and we’re please that towns in the North West are onboard; there is certainly a demand for direct contact between producers and consumers. The next farmers market in Eccles is due to take place on Saturday the 21st of March (10am-4pm) and is set to be bigger and better than the last.
Sam’s Is Top Dog
It may be one of the oldest restaurants in
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Reserve Wines Manchester, but Sam’s Chop House off Chapel Walks has been voted the Best Overall Restaurant at the recent Hi-Life Dining Awards 2009. The ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate, and marked the 25th anniversary of the awards. The nominees are chosen through votes cast by the dining public, making these awards highly coveted, and personally we don’t think a better or more deserving winner could have been picked. Owners Steve Pilling and Roger Ward sympathetically restored this beloved Manchester pub in 2001, regaining its former Victorian glory and once again making it a city institution. www.samschophouse.co.uk. Tel: 0161 834 3210.
Eccles Market
Pieminister Is Wild At Heart
British Pie Week runs this year from 2nd - 8th March, and if you have never celebrated this great British dish before, then here is your chance! We are providing you with the perfect excuse to go and enjoy your favourite pie without any guilt, so here is our recommendation to get you started. Pieminister have put pride back into British pies with their handmade range filled with only the best ingredients. It is true that the pie making industry in Britain has a bit of a dodgy reputation, but try a Pieminister and all will be forgiven! You can buy their pies from the Wild at Heart deli in Chorlton, so get yourself down there and support the Great British Pie! www. wildatheart.uk.com or www.pieminister.co.uk
Reserve Wines Wins
We would like to congratulate Reserve Wines, who have been voted Independent Retail Wine Merchant of the Year 2008/9 by the International Wine & Spirit Competition. It is great to see that a prestigious competition such as this is recognising independent retailers, and the part they play in the industry. Reserve Wines is still a relatively new business (they celebrate their 5th birthday this year), which makes this award all the more impressive, and not least because they were chosen from over 100 nominations! Why not pop in and visit them on Burton Road in West Didsbury and see what all the fuss is about. www.reservewines.co.uk
Marble In The N.Q?
We have heard from Marble Beers that they are currently in negotiations to possibly open a third venue to add to their current portfolio of The Marble Beer House in Chorlton and The Marble Arch on Rochdale Road. If everything goes according to plan they could be taking over one of the spaces which used to occupy Love Saves the Day in the Northern Quarter. With their own fantastic range of beers and ales brewed next door to The Marble Arch, they would definitely be a worthy successor to the sadly missed deli. Watch this space. for further information!
Lets Hang Out
The ever popular Master Class Tasting Sessions at Hanging Ditch Wine Merchants, located next to Manchester Cathedral, are continuing throughout March. The Master Classes run every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm and tickets cost only £10. Each tasting is presented by a different importer, so contact the guys at Hanging Ditch for more information, or to book your ticket. Tel: 0161 832 8222. www.hangingditch.com.
More News & Views
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customer’s kitchen in Didsbury
680 Wilmslow Road Didsbury
0161 434 4354 www.earleandginger.com
• First Class Design
• Expert Installation
• Highest Quality
• Unlimited Choice
• Unique and Individual
Harvey Nichols
Tea For Two
The Art of Tea has been serving the Didsbury community for just over a year now, and we are happy to hear that they have finally been granted a licence to serve alcohol and extend their opening hours into the evening. Its quirky charm makes this cafe bar one of our favourites, with an interior that represents a kind of shabby European chic and a great second bookshop at the back of the cafe. Now they have the opportunity to host more evening events, owners Karen and Ryan are keen to indulge their passion for art by supporting local artists with a space to exhibit their work, so go and check out the current exhibition on show now. The Art of Tea, 47 Barlow Moore Road, East Didsbury, Tel: 0161 448 9323.
Love Food? Get This Book
Food Northwest, the umbrella organisation for food and drink in the region, has recently published the pocket-sized NW Food Lover’s Guide. A guide to the wide variety of speciality food produced in our region, the publication includes information on local producers and the outlets their products can be purchased from, sample day trip itineraries and a selection of recipes. The Northwest has one of the largest food and drink sectors in the UK, and this book is a celebration of all the wonderful products, from cheese to ice cream, produced within Manchester, Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside. Priced at only £4.99, we feel this guide is a good investment for all foodies looking to sample the full delights our region has to offer. It is also a worthy cause to support, as Food Northwest is a body which aims to help businesses in their development within the industry, therefore increasing and improving the longevity and growth of our local and independent businesses. NW Food Lover’s Guide can be purchased from Amazon
Cocktails & Dreams
Learn to mix and shake your favourite cocktails like a pro this March with
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Cocktail Master Classes at Harvey Nichols Second Floor Bar. Saturday 7th March is all about Rum – The Drink of Earnest Hemmingway, and on Saturday 21st March there is a Mother’s Day theme to the Master Class with Gin – Mother’s Ruin! To book a place on either of these days, contact reservations on 0161 828 8898. www.harveynichols.com.
Chocolate Festival
The Chocolate Café in conjunction with Bury council have organised a new UK Chocolate Festival to take place in Ramsbottom on Sunday 5th April. Ramsbottom is fast becoming known as a gourmet hotspot in the North of England, so it comes as no surprise to hear that chocolatiers from all over the world will be travelling to the Lancashire town in order to showcase their products. The festival will feature the world’s finest chocolates, chocolate themed entertainment, chocolate health and beauty products and even chocolate beer. It’s set to be a great day full of indulgence and enjoyment, a must for any chocolate lover. For more information contact The Chocolate Café: 2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom Tel: 01706 822 828
Food Festival
On top of the Chocolate Festival, there will also be a Food and Drink Festival held in the foodie town of Ramsbottom this spring. The Food and Drink Festival will be held in Ramsbottom Civil Hall on Saturday the 21st of March (7-10 pm) in aid of the charity The Friends of Ramsbottom. The £5.00 entry fee includes a glass of wine - and as the event is being held in association with local award winning wine merchant The Vineyard, it’s sure to be good! The festival will feature food sample tables and stalls offering everything from preserves and oils to cheese and chocolate. Cookery demonstrations will also be a part of the festivities courtesy of qualified chef Mike Harrison from Chefs to Go and Zest Delicatessen - you’ll be sure to pick up some hints and tips as well as bags of inspiration. For more information contact Stuart Rothwell at The Vineyard:
12 Square Street, Ramsbottom BLO 9BE Tel: 01706 822 213
Eagle Eyes
Following the huge success of the launch of the first Ladies Who Lunch day at The Spread Eagle (in honour of Macmillan cancer support) with guest speaker Carl Wilde - They will now be holding one every 6 weeks. This isn’t just any Ladies Who Lunch day either, the food is of course magnificent as the days are held at The Spread Eagle, and the speakers are always guaranteed to be top notch. Quirky and diverse themes mean that it’s a great day for ladies of all ages and a great way to get together as a community to have a laugh. The charity that the days will now be affiliated with is Pendleside Hospice Care, so it’s all in a very good cause, and although they like to keep the upcoming themes well under wraps it’s been hinted that the next one on the 24th of March will be titled ‘You’ve Been Pinked’ – We can’t wait! For further information contact Anne Waddington: 01282 842 450.
Spot Of Lunch
We were thrilled to hear that it is now possible to enjoy the delights of the Hideaway basement in Ramsbottom during the day as well as in the evenings. Linked to Ramsons restaurant, winner of
‘Readers Restaurant of the Year’ in the Good Food Guide, owner and Italophile Chris Johnson has made sure that his Hideaway ‘enoteca con cucina’ (wine bar with food) offers a true Italian experience with a daily authentically rustic, low price set menu. Regular guests can enjoy the 3 course set lunch menu for the reduced price of £7.50 as a loyalty bonus… but shhh don’t tell everyone, it’s not called The Hideaway for nothing. Tel: 01706 822 005. 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HT www.ramsons-restaurant.com
Happy Birthday
The Cinnamon Club will be celebrating its 6th birthday on the 3rd of April and we would like to take this opportunity to wish them many happy returns. Wellknown as the premier entertainment venue in the area for live music, they host as many genres of music as possible with the best of blues, jazz and soul. However, it isn’t just the music that this place is renowned for, the food and drink are equally as impressive - and the birthday celebration will be no exception. Dominic, Nigel and the boys will headline the night where fun and laughter is guaranteed and surprises throughout the evening should be expected! www.thecinnamonclub.net
The Art Of Tea
Check In
Room Service
You wouldn’t think that raising a restaurant floor by 2 feet would cause such a stir, but that is exactly what has happened at The Alderley Restaurant in the Alderley Edge Hotel
The subtle enhancements that have recently taken place in the Alderley Restaurant mean that dinners can now fully appreciate the stunning views over the east Cheshire plain. ‘Enhancements’ is the key word here, as GM Ahmet Kurcer believes that ‘change’ may be a necessity, but it is not always one people will like. He states that ‘it works best of all when they hardly notice it.’ So this is exactly what they have done; some diners may do a double take on walking into the refurbished restaurant, and some may not be conscious of it at all, but the important thing is that customers still feel comfortable, and maybe even more so after these subtle but important alterations. As well as raising the floor to remove the split level element to the restaurant, which was the most noticeable improvement, the £20,000 refurbishment also included the removal of a wall and two fireplaces, a subtly modernised decor and a specially commissioned collection of local photography. FEAST / 12
“To experience the new Alderley Restaurant, we recommend table 8, which we’ve been told is the best table on which to admire the panoramic views, but hurry, it’s booking up fast”
The 157 year old former cotton merchant’s house now has a completely new atmosphere, and proves that less is most definitely more. They have created a standalone eating area with its own identity separate from that of the hotel. Along with the refurb, they have also extended the opening hours of the lounge bar throughout the day from 10am for people who want to enjoy a more relaxed coffee and a snack. To experience the new Alderley Restaurant, we recommend table 8, which we’ve been told is the best table on which to admire the panoramic views, but hurry, it’s booking up fast! Alderley Edge Hotel, Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7BJ. Tel: 01625 583033
Fair Trade Book Club
In support of Fairtrade Fortnight (23 February – 8th March), here are our recommendations of the best Fairtrade books on the market.
The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook
Sophie Grigson This book is the product of a competition run throughout Fairtrade Fortnight two years ago, and should be the cornerstone of any Fairtrade enthusiast’s cookbook collection. Over the years, the Fairtrade Foundation has been swamped with recipes featuring Fairtrade products, so in 2007, they asked members of the public to send in their Fairtrade recipes, and the winners are published in this book. As well as a number of recipes donated by celebrities, this book also features recipes from Fairtrade producers using their own produce. As most of the recipes come from ordinary people, you know they are well tried and tested and easy, realistic everyday family dishes to make.
Fighting the Banana Wars, and Other Fairtrade Battles
Harriet Lamb This is the truth about Fairtrade, from the long and often seemingly hopeless battles to get it on our supermarket shelves to what it means for the producers and how it transforms their lives, told by a woman with an incredible knowledge of the subject. Harriet Lamb is the Director of the Fairtrade Organisation, and her impassioned narrative will have you welling up within the first few pages. Seeing the farmers through her eyes and hearing their stories both before and after joining Fairtrade will have you running out to buy Fairtrade products, and you will never turn back.
Join us for a special
Mother’s Day Sunday March 22nd 3 Courses £19.95 per person Advance booking highly recommended
50 Reasons To Buy Fairtrade
Miles Litvinoff and John Madeley By now most of us are at least aware of Fairtrade and have a basic understanding of its benefits for producers and why we should be buying it, but for those who want to gain a deeper insight into exactly how and who Fairtrade can help, this book is a great source of information. It is introduced with a poignant Martin Luther-King quote which will get you thinking from the start, and its separation into 50 different chapters makes it ideal for dipping in and out. You will also be surprised by the amount of Fairtrade products available that you didn’t know about, from rugs and carpets to footballs.
The Bittersweet World of Chocolate
Troth Wells and Nikki van der Gaag Our recommendation of this book comes in part because it is published by the radical, not-for-profit magazine New Internationist, which campaigns on a range of different world issues. The profits from this book will be going back into the production of their publications, to campaign for the likes of third world farmers. However this is also a great cookbook, featuring a wide range of Fairtrade chocolate recipes from chicken-chocolate enchiladas to oat and chocolate cupcakes. The recipes are interspersed throughout the book with stories about the history of chocolate, and the cocoa farmers. All of these books can be purchased onlinefrom Amazon.co.uk or from any good bookshop For more information on Fairtarde visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
The Market Restaurant 104 High Street 0161 834 3743 www.market-restaurant.com
Afford luxury Wine Club
Award winning wine specialist, Corks Out stands out for its range, quality and knowledgeable service and offers affordable luxury in wine. Wine shouldn’t be complicated; however, with so many choices around it’s nice to have a good recommendation now and again. Therefore, here are four of my must try’s that are worth every penny of their price tag and more…. Ruth Yates. Shelmerdine Vineyards Viognier, Heathcote, Australia - £12.75 This fantastic Viognier has the crispness of Sauvignon Blanc and the fullness of Chardonnay and makes a refreshing change.
Langlois Château Vieilles Vignes Blanc, Loire, France £14.50
Chenin Blanc…. Made well it can knock your socks off and this old vine Chenin certainly does, it’s up there with the top and is a must try!
Barbera d’Asti Ca Del Matt, Piemonte, Italy - £6.95
If it’s red that was worthy of double its price, then look no further – Fantastic Barbera fruit.
Terrunyo Carmenere, Peumo, Chile - £12.95
Recently voted the finest Carmenere in Chile and when you try, you’ll see why – Need I say more….
96 London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 6LE 21 Watergate Street, Chester, CH1 2LB 361 Stockport Road, Timperley, Altrincham, WA15 7UG www.corksout.com
Interview
On the farm
Anne Connolly makes it look so easy... but it has been a long journey to get to where she is today. Whilst working in the Italian ski resort of Lavigno, where she had been for 10 years, Anne met future husband Peter, who succeeded in dragging her away from here party lifestyle in Italy to live a quiet life on his beautiful Cheshire farm. After living in Italy for a total of 17 years there were, understandably, some things she missed, including the abundance of fresh, quality food, and whilst living on Peter’s milking farm was idyllic, she needed something to do. Out of these two problems was born the solution that Anne should try her hand at making the beautiful Italian Alpine cheese she had come to love during her time out there. However when Anne and Peter went back to Lavigno to visit a cheese factory recommended to them, they found it wasn’t going to be as easy as they thought; it was impossible for them to learn anything in a factory where everything is done by machine. However just when it all seemed hopeless, along came Benny, a FEAST / 18
hard working man who runs a ski rental shop during the day, then comes home to milk his 6 cows and make his own cheese in the evening. Benny had never left his home country, but he must have seen something in Anne as he agreed to come to England, teach her how to make Italian Alpine cheese by hand and help her set up a space at home in which to do it. You may wonder how it is possible to make cheese to a traditional Italian Alps recipe on a Cheshire farm, but as Peter discovered, the balance of sustainable farming between the two countries is very similar. Despite the fact the milk was coming from different cows, he decided there were too many similarities in the methods of farming to say it wasn’t possible. It has taken Anne a number of years to perfect her method, and numerous visits from Benny, but she now hand produces one of
the most beautiful and unique cheeses in the area using milk produced on Peter’s farm. No matter how popular her cheese may become, they say they will never produce it in a big factory in order to increase volume, as they believe in producing a product of high standard and quality. Between them they are putting pride into what they do, which is evident the moment you taste the wonderful cheeses produced on Larkton Hall Farm. Larkton Hall Cheeses include Crabtree and Federia and are available to purchase at delis and food shops throughout the Northwest, including The Cheese Shop in Chester and The Housekeepers Store at Tatton Park. Or if you are walking the Sandstone Trail and pass Larkton Hall, Anne is happy to sell her cheeses from the doorstep.
Manchester’s #1 Sports Bar
Interview
Heir to the throne
Since taking the helm at the fashionable underground venue Obsidian, Bryn Evans has introduced a whole new menu, which is well worth sampling if his impressive CV is anything to go by, which includes the Michelin starred Devonshire Arms in North Yorkshire.
What is one of the most unusual dishes you have ever featured on your menu?
Basil Ice Cream – It’s not as unusual as it first sounds; basil is very sweet and is not that far from mint, so actually makes an amazing ice cream. I use it as an accompaniment to my signature chocolate soufflé.
Salt and pepper; I mix and grind my own selection of sea salts so it is all natural.
If you could go anywhere in the world for the cuisine, where would it be?
I have created a unique cheese menu, as having cheese as one single dish does not do the wonderful variety available justice. There is a total of 10 to choose from, and customers can have as many as they like.
New York, as it has an abundance of Michelin star restaurants. The guide has only just been brought out over there, and it beat both Paris and London hands down for Michelin stars.
Where would you go to eat on your night off Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode, Ian Matfin is an amazing chef.
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What is one staple ingredient that you couldn’t go without in your kitchen?
Can you name a dish we can expect to see on your new menu?
Obsidian Restaurant & Bar 18-24 Princess Street Manchester 0161 238 4348 www.obsidianmanchester.co.uk
g in n e p O n o ti a c o L d 2n April 2009! 118 Deansgate
r
Manchesters Original & Best Brazilian SteakHouse 58 Lever Street Manchester 0161 923 6888 www.paubrasilrestaurant.com
One in Vermilion Eat Out
We wondered more than once if we were heading in the right direction when on our way to Vermilion, as apart from nearby Sportcity, it seems to have been built miles away from anything, which is unusual for a restaurant that cost in the region of £5 million to build. However when you do reach it, it’s well worth the journey.
The opulence of the place is apparent from the moment you walk through the giant Foo Dog guarded doors, and is carried through to the upstairs bar, where large pods can be hired for groups to sit in. For starter we sampled the Deep-fried Emerald Envelope of Marinated Chicken with Soy Sauce and Grilled Marinated Beef Sirloin Skewers with a Spicy Jaew Sauce. Then for main course we chose Phad Thai Noodles with Tiger Prawns and Tamarind Sauce, and Grilled Barbary Duck Fillet in Red Curry. The intensity of the flavours in the Red Thai Curry and the Phad Thai were amazing, so when we saw then extent of their homemade dessert menu, we couldn’t resist! We settled on the Mango Cheesecake and the Warm Chocolate Tart, which was incredibly rich. Although its location is not ideal, it’s worth taking the trip at least once, and with the Cinnabar above the restaurant it is a big enough venue to be able to spend the whole night there. Vermilion Miles Platting M40 8AD 0161 202 0055 www.vermilioncinnabar.com
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Cover Story
19 things to taste With such a wealth of produce in and around Manchester and the Northwest, there’s a lot to sample, but what to try? And where can you get it? It isn’t always easy to know what’s out there with the media machines of bigger companies stealing the lime light away from the smaller local producers. Here’s a selection of some of our favourites from the local area (and a few from further a field) that you really must try if you haven’t already.
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Cupboard Love Cheshire Smokehouse Nuts
Info: Although the Cheshire Smokehouse is already famed locally for its excellent smoked meat, it’s the nuts that are currently driving us wild. Using only the very best natural ingredients from around the world (nuts, oils and Cheshire salt) and their generations’ worth of smoking experience there are 4 distinctive cashew, almond and macadamia recipes to try. Taste Notes: The unique flavour and perfect consistency of these nuts will have you hooked instantly - so be warned… none of the ‘smoked flavour’ alternatives on the market will ever taste the same again, this is the real deal. Where to Buy: Order online www.cheshiresmokehouse.co.uk or visit their shop: Cheshire Smokehouse, Vost Farm, Morley Green, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5NU
Stokes Organic Tomato Ketchup
Info: Stokes is produced by Essfoods in Suffolk, in what they refer to as their ‘Suffolk Saucery’, They produce a wide range of sauces, chutneys and preserves from the best ingredients for people who want to avoid mass-market products. Taste Notes: A rich tomato sauce that actually tastes of tomatoes! This might not sound like anything special, but once you try it, you’ll see what we mean and you will never go back to massproduced ketchup. Where to Buy: Harvey Nichols - 21 Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Pain Is Good - Hot Sauce
Info: Original Juan speciality foods in Kansas USA developed a range of sauces based around the concept of creating a ‘good pain’- fiery but perfectly balanced with intricate flavours. They have achieved this perfectly with the ‘Pain is Good’ range of sauces and salsas. Taste Notes: We particularly like the Honey Cayenne Hot Mustard Sauce. The fire of the cayenne pepper is perfectly set against the sweetness of the honey and spice of the mustard seeds, creating a sweet heat. Where to Buy: Harvey Nichols,21 Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Fench’s Mustard
Info: French’s have a variety of mustards in their collection including: Classic Yellow, Honey Dijon, Spicy Brown, Sweet n Zesty, Honey Mustard and Horseradish. A well known and much loved American brand since it was launched at the 1904 World Fair in St Louis, you can now get hold of the mustard in the UK. Taste Notes: We understand why the Americans are so crazy about this brand, in particular the Classic Yellow. Glamorous it may not be, but spread on a sandwich or squeezed on a hot dog, divine it sure is! Where to Buy: Harvey Nichols,21 Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Fairtrade Olive Oil
Info: British company Zaytoun (Arabic word for olive) is celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight with the launch of the world’s first Fairtrade olive oil and olives. Exported from Palestine, all of Zaytoun’s olive oil is made from organically grown fruit, extra virgin and first cold pressed. Taste Notes: Olive oil cultivation first began in Palestine, where the olive tree and its produce are of key cultural and economic importance, so you know before you even taste it; it’s going to be good. This olive oil is wonderfully warm, with a lovely peppery taste to it. Where to Buy: Olive Cooperative Shop, Bridge 5-Mill, 22a Beswick St, Manchester, M4 7HR, or The Unicorn Grocery, 89 Albany Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0BN.
Real Lancashire Eccles Cakes
Info: Owned by the Edmonds family who have been involved in the manufacture of Eccles Cakes since the 1930s, the Eccles cakes are made using the finest Vostizza currants, raisins, butter and sugar enclosed in beautiful flaky pastry. Each one is made individually by hand to the Edmonds family recipe, handed down through generations. Taste Notes: We couldn’t do a taste feature and miss out the famous Eccles Cake, a traditional local product. The Real Lancashire Eccles Cakes are the best on the market… the quality ingredients and careful preparation shines through in the flaky, buttery currant- packed taste. Where to Buy: Available in both speciality food shops and supermarkets nationwide.
Fridge Magnet Foragers Pork
Info: We love the ethos that this company has that truly fantastic meat can only come from animals that are free to roam as nature intended as much as we love the amazing Pork that they produce. Their rare-breed traditional British Saddleback pigs are genuinely free ranging, living outdoors all year round and benefiting from lots of exercise and a varied diet – crucial elements needed to produce a full-flavoured meat. Taste Notes: The fantastic pork cuts include succulent roasting joints that produce amazingly crispy crackling and melt in the mouth pork at its best. The sausages, bacon and chops are great too; you really can taste the difference, no wonder Ray Smith the River Cottage butcher said it was “the best pork I’ve ever tasted”. Where to Buy: Order online www.foragers. net or visit the shop: 29 Market Street, Carnforth LA5 9JX.
Southport Potted Shrimp
Info: Founded in 1980 by James Peet a fisherman with some 25 years experience and a long family heritage linked to the local industry. The award wining shrimps are manufactured with James’ unique blend of salt, spices and butter using only natural ingredients - a refined recipe to maintain the highest quality and biological standards whilst keeping the delicious taste of this west coast delicacy. Taste Notes: Freshness is paramount to the production of the shrimps which comes across in the delicate taste complimented by the light buttery sauce. Although the shrimps can be used to accompany other dishes, we feel that they can be best appreciated atop a slice of wholemeal bread or toast. Where to Buy: Order online www.pottedshrimp.co.uk
Lancashire Black Pudding
Info: A family run business, The Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company has won countless awards across Europe dating back to 1996, the most recent being the National British Black Pudding Champions last year. They are very proud of the fact that they use only traditional methods to make their puddings, and to a recipe dating back to 1879. Taste Notes: Made with oatmeal, pearl barley, onion, rusk, flour and of course blood, it is the quality of the pork back-fat that they use and their secret blend of herbs and spices that give this black pudding its unique taste and aromatic flavours. Where to Buy: You can pick up a Real Lancashire Black Pudding in most Booths and Morrisons supermarkets.
Weekend Brunch Crabtree Cheese from Larkton Hall Farm
Info: Anne Connolly produces this wonderful cheese by hand to a traditional Italian Alps recipe using the milk produced on her husband Peter’s farm. As well as Crabtree, which won a gold medal at last year’s British Cheese Awards, Anne also makes Federia cheese. Taste Notes: The wonderful thing about this cheese is that because it is not produced in a factory to exact specifications, the taste of the cheese will vary depending on external factors such as the time of year. The unpasteurised milk used creates a beautifully creamy texture. Where to Buy: Anne’s cheeses are available at food shops and deli’s across the region, including: The Cheese Shop in Chester, the Housekeeps Store at Tatton Park & Harvey Nichols. Or if you are passing, Anne is happy to sell her cheese from the door. Larkton Hall Farm, Malpas, SY14 8LR.
Barbakan Bagels
Sweet Tooth
Sweet Tooth Cupcakery
Info: Owner Lorna Royle has created a retro cupcake shop and café in the middle of Chorlton reminiscent of all things American, including the cupcakes. Each is named after a famous persona, including Scarlett O Hara and Johnny Cash. The shop is only open Thursday to Sunday, keeping it as a weekend treat. Taste Notes: The quality of ingredients and freshly baked taste really comes through in these handmade cakes, and the butter cream (made with French butter) is particularly to die for! Where to Buy: Sweet Tooth Cupcakery, 9a Oswald Road, Chorlton, M21 9LP
Amedei Toscano White Choc
Info: Founded by brother and sister Alessio & Cecilia Tesseri, they are considered to be one the best chocolate producers in the world, not least because of their attention to detail and perfection. They have complete control over the production process, from bean to bar, with Alessio personally visiting each plantation and Cecilia overseeing the production as maître chocolatier. Taste Notes: The dedication and personal attention of these two siblings produces a chocolate like you have never tasted before. They use cocoa beans from only the most prized plantations in the world to produce a fantastically creamy white chocolate with subtle hints of vanilla. Where to Buy: Harvey Nichols,21 Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Delvaux Chocolate
Info: As Delvaux have Belgium family roots, it comes as no suprise that they produce such fantastic Belgium chocolate. Delvaux source the cacao used in the production of their chocolate from specialist producers from around the world, ensuring they use the very best. Taste Notes: Ranges include: Petit Chocolate, Fairtrade, Acticoa and Organique. Our current favourite is the Delvaux Organique, pure 100% organic chocolate enhanced with exotic flavours. Where to Buy: Harvey Nichols,21 Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding
Info: Made in Cartmel in the Cumbrian countryside from 100% natural ingredients, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding have earned themselves an excellent reputation for their perfect sticky toffee pud .Counting Nigella Lawson and Anthony Worrall Thompson amongst their fans, their sticky toffee pudding has also been described by Jean Christophe-Novelli as: ‘Definitely the best sticky toffee pudding in the world’- high praise indeed. Taste Notes: We have to agree with Mr ChristopheNovelli, the gloriously moist and gooey pudding is light and airy yet rich and sticky, perfectly complimented by a glug of cream. It is no surprise that they now supply top restaurants and fine-food shops with their puddings. Where to Buy: Order online www.stickytoffeepudding. co.uk or visit the shop: Cartmel Village Shop, Parkgate House, The Square, Cartmel, Cumbria LA11 6QB
Info: Polish Delicatessen, Barbakan has been around for over 40 years, and is famous in the area for its amazing selection of breads. They make over 50 different varieties themselves using traditional baking methods and authentic European recipes. Taste Notes: As a specialist continental bakery, these guys know what they are doing when it comes to bread. The high quality of ingredients used to hand produce each product, which is then baked on the sole of the oven creates an extremely flavoursome bagel which must be sampled! Where to Buy: Barbakan Deli, 67-71 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW
Mawson’s Sarsaparilla
Office Lunch Katsouris Roast Meat Sandwich
Info: Katsouris are well known in the local area for their excellent continental deli produce and amazing roast meat sandwiches. The Katsouris family have owned a deli in Bury for some 38 years, opening their second in Manchester three years ago – an instant success and favourite for Manchester workers and residents alike. The range of roast meat sandwiches include: Piri Piri chicken, beef and onion and pork and apple sauce amongst others, all served upon Barbakan bread (another local favourite!). Taste Notes: Out of all the roast meat sandwiches, the Piri Piri chicken is our favourite, made to their own secret recipe with lots of chillies and served with home-made salsa on Barbakan bread – it is simply perfection! The carvery starts at 11am and runs until 3.30pm, so be quick, this place is understandably very busy. Where to Buy: Visit the shop: 113 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BQ
Info: Mawson’s first started making traditional drinks in the local area of Oldham in 1933 when Joe Mawson first set up operations. The Sarsaparilla or ‘sass n soda’ as it became known was always the favourite but in 1963 production stopped, years later in 1998 the third generation Mawson grandson started things back up using his grandfathers recipes - and boy we’re glad he did! Made from all natural ingredients including liquorice, ginger and sarsaparilla, Mawson’s make Sarsaparilla in cordial form so that you can add your own still or fizzy water. Taste Notes: The drink is incredibly refreshing with a spicy traditional taste…either a new addiction or a pleasantly nostalgic blast from the past. Where to Buy: Order online www.mawsonstraditionaldrinks.co.uk
KS Chocolat
Info: They describe themselves as a Scottish company with global ambitions – and we don’t think that it will be long until they achieve their goal. The high quality chic-packaged chocolates have been created to play with your senses, with exciting combinations of flavours. We particularly like the lemon and black pepper in white chocolate and milk chocolate chilli almonds. Taste Notes: The lemon and black pepper in white chocolate has a smooth sweet initial taste punctuated by an increasingly tangy punch of lemon followed by a warm peppery after-taste. All products are made with 100% natural ingredients, evident in the pure undiluted taste. Where to Buy: Available online www.kschocolat.co.uk or visit The Chocolate Café, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HX
Pipers Crisps
Info: When a product is not sold in any major supermarkets, just through independent retailers, it is considered to be of a higher quality, which is certainly the case for Pipers Crisps. They are a small company producing handmade crisps using the finest Lincolnshire potatoes. Taste Notes: Pipers source the ingredients for their flavours from independent producers, who only use 100% natural ingredients. The range of flavours will have you salivating before you even open the bag; our favourite is Sea Salt and Indian Black Pepper sourced from the Faiz family estate in South West India. Where to Buy: Harvey Nichols,21 Cathedral Street, Manchester M1 1AD
Illustrations: Amanda Greenwood Photography: Mark Winkley Words: Caroline Leyberg & Claire Hampshire
Eat In
Fairtrade Salad
We know it seems far away, but summer will be here soon... we promise. In the meantime, why not bring a little sunshine to your kitchen with this tropical salad
Serves: 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes INGREDIENTS 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, cut into strips 6 tbsp desiccated coconut 4 tsp Fairtrade ground ginger 3 tsp Fairtrade ground cinnamon 1 tsp Fairtrade ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground cloves, or freshly grind Fairtrade whole cloves 2 large Fairtrade lemons, zest and juice 2 large Fairtrade avocados, peeled, stone removed, and sliced 90g (3oz) wild rocket 1 large Fairtrade mango, peeled, stone removed, and diced 2tbsp olive oil 2-4 tbsp Fairtrade runny honey, to taste METHOD Rinse the chicken. Pat it dry on kitchen paper. Heat the coconut in a non-stick frying pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted. Allow to cool. Place the toasted coconut, spices, and lemon zest in a large plastic food bag and mix well. FEAST / 30
Add the chicken and season it well. Seal the bag and shake it until the chicken is coated in the mixture. Cover the avocado in half of the lemon juice, and place it in a serving bowl with the rocket and diced mango. Set aside. Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok until very hot. Add the spice-coated chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. Drizzle over the honey and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly done. Squeeze over the remaining lemon juice. Stir the chicken into the salad ingredients and serve immediately. Tip: Accompany this deliciously different dish with new potatoes. You can also use young-leaf spinach instead of rocket if you prefer. Judges’ note: This is a fresh and invigorating recipe. You may find that it is already sweet enough without the honey. The Fair Trade Everyday Cookbook Sophie Grigson, published by DK Recipe provided by Mrs S Marsland from Wotton under Edge, Gloucestershire
“Manchester’s hottest dining experience by far”
- Feast Magazine
Graze.com is a fantastic website where customers can order healthy food boxes online and get it delivered straight to their desks. This may sound to some like an unnecessary luxury, but from only £2.99 and after only 5 minutes online, you can guarantee three of your five a day in one graze box as well as long term sustained energy and a more varied and balanced diet. You can either select a box put together by their own nutrition team, or select your own, with the choice ranging from fresh and dried fruits, nuts, seeds and olives to more indulgent mixes such as chocolate covered fruits and chilli rice crackers. www.graze.com
Eggs of war
It’s a cover up
We love the fun and frivolity of these egg cups which are sure to raise a smile every time you tuck into a boiled egg. The toy soldiers are positioned perfectly with the right amount of flexibility to support the egg; it’s a practical as well as playful design. Designed by Reiko Kaneko, a designer inspired by adding mischief to home products and a surreal touch to familiar items, the egg cups are available from the Hidden Art Company for just £9.74 - money well spent for a cheerful breakfast time. www.hiddenartshop.com
Box clever It has come to our attention that custom made furniture brand Mobilia Ltd offer a unique selection of three dimensional wall and ceiling coverings, the collection that’s caught our eye in particular is the Cast Patterns range. Perfect for use in the kitchen or dining room, the panels add texture and depth through a contrast of light and shadow. Water resistant with excellent thermal and acoustic characteristics, the panels are also lightweight and easy to install in any space. And here’s the best bit… the cast patterns are made from 40-45% crushed almond shells, a biproduct of the local nut industry, mixed with resins. A biodegradable and recyclable product made from vegetable waste and offering a great alternative to wood, now there’s the perfect excuse to re-style your eating and drinking space and give yourself an environmentally friendly pat on the back. www.mobilia.ltd.uk
Feast loves Dessert
If you’re buying us a gift, start here!
Shake off the cobwebs of winter and embrace the springtime with a flash of colour. This fantastic Smeg (FAB28RH) 50’s style fridge is perfect to perk up your kitchen and inspire you to get creative. The free standing A+ energy rated refrigerator is available in various colours including a union jack print - the most on trend however has to be the striking lime green which just bursts with vibrancy. Currently available from Marks and Spencer’s for £810 we think that this piece of kit will wash away any winter woes. www.marksandspencer.com
You (or your parents) may have thought you’d left this behind in the 60’s, but it’s back! This contemporary kitchen trolley from Legnoart has a very retro feel and comes in a choice of bold colours and frankly, we love it. It features two steel drawers, a bamboo chopping board and an all important bottle holder, making it the perfect accompaniment to an evening of entertaining. However despite its nostalgic appearance, it has a distinctly 21st century price tag of £844.45. www.formahouse.co.uk
The future’s bright Space 1999
Oil be alright
Whirlpool’s industry leading GREENKITCHEN is no small feat. The concept is based around the cycle of nature and through optimising the use of heat and water can increase energy efficiency by 70% - a very useful ability I’m sure you’d agree, in these economic times. Based around four key components (products, eco-system, behaviour and co-generation) to create energy efficiency and monetary savings; the eco-system alone has been created to adapt, reduce and recycle water. Successfully combining ecological function with style, this could be the new benchmark for other manufacturers to strive towards and a nod towards how our kitchens will start to look and function over the next few years. For further information visit www.whirlpool.co.uk
Droog is an Amsterdam based company whose products offer cutting edge design and innovation, and the Salad Sunrise is no exception. Although on the surface it is just a container for olive oil and vinegar, there is an imaginative and creative concept behind its design, as it highlights the natural properties of these two liquids. As the oil will always float on top of the vinegar, Droog has created one bottle for both with two tubes, so you can pour the olive oil from the top and the vinegar from the bottom, simple but inventive! The salad sunrise can be purchased from their website, www.droog.com for €34.50 (about £30).
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Retro chic
Award winning speciality food shop and smokehouse
All our bacon, hams, charcuterie, fish and even nuts are cured and smoked here at our Smokehouse.
Smokehouse Shop
Smokehouse Patisserie
Smokehouse Wines
Smokehouse Prepared
Smokehouse Café
Smokehouse Catering
Speciality condiments, sauces, preserves, fine English and continental cheeses.
Our artisan bakery produces our own breads, cakes, and savouries.
Over 300 hand selected fine wine, spirits and fortified wines.
Meals ‘to go’, produced here by our own chefs for you to enjoy at home.
Enjoy the finest food we produce all freshly made on the premises.
From Canapés to banquets, Birthdays to Christenings, with our now famous attention to detail.
The Cheshire Smokehouse : Vost Farm : Morley Green : Wilmslow : Cheshire : SK9 5NU Tel: 01625 548499 : Fax: 01625 548499 : e-mail: sales@cheshiresmokehouse.co.uk www.cheshiresmokehouse.co.uk
Contemporary Catering
Exclusive caterers to
Wedding Specialist . . . a: The Bowdon Rooms The Firs Bowdon Altrincham Cheshire WA14 2TQ t:
0161 928 8052
f:
0161 233 0752
m: 07887 806858 e: sales@herbandspicegarden.co.uk w: www.herbandspicegarden.co.uk
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| Cat e r i n g
We specialise in contemporary catering for:
imaginative we cater for Business Lunches, Family
Private Functions, Weddings, Christenings, Family
occasions (Buffets & Dinner Parties) Weddings,
Gatherings, Weddings, and Corporate Events.
Christenings, Marquee Events, Corporate Hospitality or whatever the occasion.
We work on the principle of tailoring an event to exactly what our client needs, wherever and
If you would like to see a selection of menus see
whenever they want it. No event is too small,
our website at www.herbandspicegarden.co.uk
too large, or to difcult for us to cater for. Herb &
or give us a call and we will be more than happy
Spice Outside is an affordable bespoke catering
to help you.
company, specialising in providing quality individual menus and excellent service, whatever the occasion. We have menus, which is merely an outline of what we can offer our clients. These menus can be adapted to all tastes, dietary requirements and, most importantly, to your budget, we believe that all our menus to be unique, fresh &
Last Page
Giveaway
Here at the office we adore a spot of golf, but who wants to play in this weather? When we heard about Golftorium (the indoor golf centre!) we knew that long lunches were here to stay.
Feast and Golftorium have teamed up to give you a swinging offer. To win a round for four playing the virtual course of your choice with food and drinks for you and three of your friends just answer the following question: Q: How many Majors has Tiger Woods won so far? Please send your answers to info@golftorium.com Please write FEAST in the subject line including your name, age, address and telephone number Competition closes April 2nd 2009 Located in the heart of Manchester near Piccadilly Station, Golftorium provides facilities to play, learn and practice golf all year round at the largest indoor golf centre in the UK, regardless of the weather. Golftorium has 6 golf simulators, play over 53 of the worlds greatest courses, 2 Bars - Bar19th (the Golf Bar) and The Bunker Bar, Sky Sports and Setanta Sports TVs including 10ft screens! We also have putting and chipping areas, including an indoor bunker, All golf clubs provided - just bring yourself & lessons also available via our PGA Professionals. If you’re looking for one of the best entertainment venues in Manchester then Golftorium has it all and is the perfect place to be for a relaxing and fun time. Golftorium Ltd., Unit 1, Bridge House,, 26 Ducie Street, Ducie Wharf,, Manchester,M1 2DQ t: 0844 257 0187 www.golftorium.com
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