Rochdale Food and Drink Festival
The place to eat, drink and be merry

Date published: 24 March 2018

Hundreds of visitors descended on the Town Hall for the first Rochdale Food and Drink Festival on Saturday (24 March) – and it certainly did not disappoint.

Visitors from as far away as Nottingham were offered the finest cuisine in a unique food village.

Over 40 traders from across the North West were touting delicious dishes, fantastic street food, pop-up shops and bars inside and around the magnificent Grade 1 listed Town Hall on throughout the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Ian Duckworth said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. It has been lovely to see so many people in Rochdale centre. I have even been on the merry-go-round and I am so pleased to see Rochdale so busy.

He added, laughing: “If anyone enquires who ate all the pies, it was me.”

Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd said: “It has been a brilliant day. It has been really good to have the great Rochdale weather as it has been warm enough for the event.

"Outside, there is a throng of people enjoying the food and drink on offer, and inside are as many enjoying the beautiful Great Hall.

“If you missed it this year, book early next year and make sure you don’t miss it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councillor Sameena Zahir agreed, she said: “It has been great to see families from all walks of life having a good time and enjoying themselves. We should have more festivals like these which really bring the community together whilst having a great time, especially in such a magnificent building, which really is a treat for everyone.”

A range of diets were catered for from gluten-free charcuterie to vegan street food, gourmet burgers, wood-fired pizzas, fusion quesadillas, homemade pies, pancakes and churros, Chinese, Thai and Pan Asian street food. Also available were numerous varieties of mouth-watering vegan fudge from Sugar Chic, plus decadent dairy-free 1950s style milkshakes from Shakes, Batter and Roll.

For those after something with a stronger kick, local pop-up bars offered a range of alcoholic and soft drinks. The ever-popular Bubble Box Prosecco Bar returned, accompanied by cocktail and gin bars. Also available to sample or purchase was toffee vodka from the Lake District, plus a range of wines and liqueurs brewed in Pembrokeshire.

Dreamy desserts were on offer in the Grand Hall with stunning cupcakes from Sweet Dream Desserts by Huma, whipped chocolates with a difference from Chocolate Kiss, buttery cakes and flapjacks from Ridiculously Rich by Alana, and tropical Caribbean cakes by Harrison and Griffiths.

However, there was no need to look far before finding savoury gifts, such as cheeses, chutneys and relishes, and pies from companies like FatJax, Kandy Kitchen Creations, Just the Cheese and Hartland Pies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fairtrade gifts were on offer from The Walk’s Fair for All, with a range of jewellery, chocolates and other quirky items, and for the eco-friendly, innovative metal straws were available from Sea Straw, a company dedicated to eliminating plastic disposable straws. A range of Manchester honeys, beeswax candles, soaps and other beauty products were displayed by a beekeeper from Worsley.

Inside the Town Hall, the reception room – as featured on BBC Two’s Peaky Blinders – was fittingly transformed into a 1920s-themed bar hosting a series of free workshops every hour from 11am, including ‘Wonderful Wines’, ‘The Gin Experience,’ and ‘Cocktail Making Like a Pro.’

Claire Gilbertson, founder and creator of Mr Bee and Mr Bat, the artisan chocolatier from Heywood, demonstrated how to make and decorate handmade chocolate truffles, whilst multi Michelin star award winner and celebrity chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli demonstrated how to make apple tatin plus a seafood dish in the kitchen.

A cake contest was held, with tough competition from all entries presenting their show-stopping talent to be judged by Mr Novelli and local artisan cake-maker, Natasha Brown.

The adult winners were presented with the chef’s latest recipe book, whilst winners of the children’s contest were also presented with Natasha’s book, based around a sugary version of St Mary’s Gate, the nearby church and Toad Lane. She later presented Jean-Christophe with a cake, complete with a sugar-paste portrait character of him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another celebrity guest, CBeebies ‘I Can Cook’ presenter Katy Ashworth, brought her energetic burst of silliness and family fun to the indoor stage – with shows aimed at children and grown-ups packed with games, sing-a-long songs and laughter, learning about where food comes from through music and imagination.

Indian curry chef Nisha Katona returned to Rochdale, having appeared at the Feel Good Festival in 2016. She shared her quick and easy dishes, packed with fresh flavour, as did Tom McNeeney, head chef at The Oxford family pub.

Entertainment was provided throughout the busy day with a small stage, featuring performances from local talent Joe Dunne, who performed at last year’s Feel Good Festival, Leeds folk pop musician Tony Lambert, soulful KS Roosevelt and the vibrant duo Kaze.

Children were treated to facepainting from Little Unicorn, and a Victorian carousel.

Bringing the festival to close was local award-winning chef, Andrew Nutter, who prepared a glorious four-course dinner in the Clock Tower Dining Room, a chance to sample the very best in fine cuisine.