MFDF: Festaurant, Albert Square

THIS year the Manchester Food and Drink Festival sees its very own pop up restaurant joining the gastro fun on Albert Square.

For two nights only, Festaurant will be taking over the Gastro Room, the centre piece pavilion, to offer diners the unique opportunity to try out specially created menus from top chefs.

On Tuesday 11 October, Tampopo’s co-founder, David Fox, and Jackie Kearney of Masterchef fame will be taking diners on an Asian food journey in their ‘Mekong and Beyond: An Asian Food Odyssey.’ The five-course menu will include a mixture of Tampopo classics interspersed with dishes inspired by Jackie’s travels around Asia.

On Friday 14 October, Festaurant will host Manchester newcomer, Southern Eleven, who will be bringing their smoky, meaty flavours to the Gastro Room. Home to the only Hickory wood burning smoker outside of London, Southern Eleven will give diners the chance to sample ribs, brisket and pulled pork cooked in the same way as in the 11 Southern states of America.

Tickets cost £39.50 for the Tampopo evening and £25 for Southern Eleven, they can be bought from the festival website.