Overview

Alexandra Park, Oldham is the stunning setting for our new Manchester Food Lovers Festival  and brings together producers of fine foods from Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Manchester and Merseyside to this spectacular venue in the heart of metropolitan Manchester.

The backdrop and facilities available at Alexandra Park make our visit there over the bank holiday weekend a must for food lovers seeking the delights of artisan produced regional foods and the visitor to the festival can be assured of a wonderful experience.

Some of our best regional fine food producers will be attending the event. In addition to the selection of regionally produced foods there will also be a chance to sample some of the best regionally produced beers and non-alcoholic drinks all of which are helping to establish the North West as the premier region of gastronomic choice.

We are delighted to announce that the Grand Opening of the Manchester Food Lovers Festival will be conducted by the Mayor of Oldham on Saturday at 10.00 am.

 

Each Day at the Festival.

 

We have an exciting line up of chef demonstrations over the three day festival hosted by NW Fine Food favourite Brian Mellor and featuring appearances by Abode Hotels’ Michael Caines and local celebrity chef Andrew Nutter.  

These are supported by a stellar line up of local talent including Nigel Skinkis of Clough Manor, Hilton Manchester’s David Gale, and the team from Nahim Aslam’s Indian Ocean .

  The Chefs

Brian Mellor

Brian Mellor is well known for his support of local producers and many appearances at food events and festivals across the region. He is now based at Claremont Farm and has a full kitchen on the 250 acre site where he runs cookery courses and ‘Field to Fork’ days.

 

Michael Caines

Michael Caines is one of Britain ’s most acclaimed chefs. Since 1994, he has been based at Gidleigh Park , the prestigious 2-star Michelin country house hotel on the edge of Dartmoor at Chagford, Devon . In 2000, he founded Michael Caines Restaurants and took over food and beverage operations at The Royal Clarence, Exeter , Britain ’s first hotel. Today Michael continues as Executive Chef at Gidleigh Park , as well as being an operational Partner and Director of ABode, the group of boutique hotels that he co-founded with his partner Andrew Brownsword. At ABode, Michael is in charge of all the food and beverage operations within a fast-growing number of Abode venues throughout the United Kingdom .

Amongst numerous other accolades, Michael has cooked in 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister, and he is currently taking part in ‘The Great British Menu’ chef’s competition broadcast on BBC2 television for the honour of cooking for the Queen’s 80^th birthday.  

Andrew Nutter

Andrew Nutter is one of the most exciting and innovative of the new breed of celebrity chefs to hit the culinary circuit.

He has had a remarkable career, at thirteen he was runner up in the national junior cook of the year award then a finalist in the Daily Mail Cook of the Year which led to him being offered a job by Anton Edelmann at London ’s Savoy Hotel as soon as he left school.

After three years intensive and invaluable training at the Savoy , Andrew moved to France for two years working in Michelin starred restaurants all over France . The next move was back to London to the Greenhouse Restaurant under the watchful eye of Gary Rhodes.

At the tender age of 21 with the backing of his family `Nutters` was launched and within a few months was packed every night. Two years ago larger premises were needed and Nutters is now housed in the lavish setting of an 18th century manor house, set in 6 ½ acres of groomed parkland with spectacular views across Ashworth moors, Greater Manchester and beyond. All this makes perfect settings for the extravagance of Andrew Nutters cuisine.

Awards soon followed and Andrew clinched The Lancashire Chef Of The Year and then the Young Mancunian Business Man of the Year. Andrew hit the big time when he turned up at the awards dinner with NUTTER shaved into the back of his head. T.V companies took interest and before he knew it he was on Ready Steady Cook! Afternoon Live, Granada cult strand “THE FLYING CHEF” and his own radical channel 5 series “UTTER NUTTER”.  

David Gale

David is a regional food champion who just can’t stop telling people about the best local ingredients and foods. He frequently demonstrates for NW Fine Food where his relaxed style has generated quite a following. He works with many young chefs and inspires and encourages them to achieve greater heights. He has worked in many of the country’s best restaurants and currently oversees Podium at the Manchester Hilton.  

Nigel Skinkis

Nigel was Young Chef of the Year in 2000 and has worked with some of the world’s leading restaurateurs.

Together with his hand picked team, Nigel has established Clough Manor as one of the most creative, individual and exciting hotel restaurants in the UK . It’s a strongly held principle with Nigel that meals at Clough Manor are prepared using fresh, locally grown and reared produce.  

Chef Demonstrations

Saturday 3rd May

11.00-11.45: Brian Mellor
12.00-12.45: Michael Caines
13.00-13.45: Indian Ocean Restaurant
14.00-14.45: Andrew Nutter
15.00-15.45: Brian Mellor

Sunday 4th May

11.00-11.45: Brian Mellor
12.00-12.45: Andrew Nutter
13.00-13.45: Brian Mellor
14.00-14.45: Indian Ocean Restaurant
15.00-15.45: Andrew Nutter

Monday 5th May

11.00-11.45: Brian Mellor
12.00-12.45: Indian Ocean Restaurant
13.00-13.45: David Gale
14.00-14.45: Nigel Skinkis
15.00-15.45: Brian Mellor

Mad Science

Mad Science are the world's leading providers of science enrichment for children. Come along to the children's entertainment area each day and join the mad scientists as they perform crazy experiments that will be loved by children of all ages. They are in the children's entertainment area at the following times each day:
11.15-12.00
12.30-13.00
14.00-15.00
15.30-16.30