Northwest Food News – June 2014

June sees the Northern heat of The British Street Food Awards, presented by Guerrilla Eats. Old Granada Studios will play host to some of the region’s best traders and the public will be able to exercise their democratic privilege by voting for their favourite. A bit like a warm-up for next year’s general election, but with food. Which is to say better, but less impactful. Voting will be done on the British Street Food App so you better have a smartphone and signal. The winner on the night will go through to the final in Leeds in September. 14 June, Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, no entry fee.

It’s also time once again for Liverpool Craft Beer Expo. What’s intrigued us most so far is the picture of giant pork scratchings on the website; they look faintly disturbing, like if Dalí re-imagined a breadstick or Salad Fingers flew too close to the sun. Anyway, there are those, and 200 keg and cask beers, more substantial food from the Camp & Furnace lot, and music curated by the likes of The Kazimier and Mello Mello. 5-8 Jun, Camp & Furnace, tickets £8.75-10.50.

Speaking of Camp & Furnace, its food and beverage director, the talented Steven Burgess, is set to open his new restaurant, Albion, in Crosby this month. It’s doing ‘Old British’ food (but fancy-like – we’ve seen stargazy pie with rabbit and langoustines mentioned) with a menu that boasts a colonial ‘7 boy’ curry, bacon roly-poly pudding and some epic-looking Sunday roasts a la C&F. They’ll be hosting the Crosby Street Food Market too. @Albion_Crosby   

In a quick round-up of other new openings news (is that tautologous?), Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry have refurbished their Warehouse cafe, perhaps to go along with their new direction. A bar called Allotment is opening in the Northern Quarter and as far as we’re aware will not boast any facilities for growing fresh produce. But it will have picnic hamper sharing plates and herby cocktails, so that’s something. @AllotmentBar   

Finally, we should also briefly mention that the supper club is evolving. In West Didsbury. Wendy Swetnam, of Wendy’s House supper club, and tearoom And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon are teaming up to offer a group cookery class-cum-2-course meal. Swetnam has spent time at world-renowned restaurant Noma, so you’ll be in safe hands. 12 Jun, tickets £55 at crackinggoodfood.org.