Northwest Food News – April 2013
Where has all the rum gone? Er, we're afraid you're going to have to go on a long and convoluted trail to find it
It's spring, a time for new beginnings – for Simon Rogan it is, anyway. Not content with running L'Enclume, his 2-Michelin star Cartmel flagship, the award-winning chef has brought his considerable talents to Manchester, taking charge of The French at The Midland Hotel. Let's hope he can coax that hulking Manc giant up to the same level of esteem held for his Cumbrian cubbyhole. The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester, from £29 for three courses.
From fine dining to the quaint world of sponges, flans and gateaux: The Cake & Bake Show may just be your (piping) bag. Star foodies like Paul Hollywood, Eric Lanlard, Simon Rimmer and familiar faces from 2012’s Great British Bake Off guide you through a weekend of live demos, classes and lots of tasting of delicious produce. Manchester Central, Windmill St, Manchester, 5-7 Apr, £14.50 (£12.50).
Another event for you sweet tooths: Claire Kelsey, the brains behind Manchester-based Ginger's Comfort Emporium, a grown-up travelling ice cream van, has written Melt (published 11 Apr), a new book of her favourite ice cream recipes, ranging from Easy Berry Ripple to Smoked Sea Salt. Claire is signing her book at Manchester's Whim Wham Cafe on 25 April.
And if any of you reading this don't like cakes and ice cream (what's wrong with you?), solace can thankfully be found through beer, with the Waterloo Beer Festival promising over 200 ales and ciders – including several from Liverpool breweries. Food is provided by local favourites Peninsula Pies and the Liverpool Cheese Company. Old Christ Church, Waterloo Rd, Merseyside, 18-21 Apr, £7 (£5).
Rimmer – aka him off the telly and founder of Greens in West Didsbury – pops up again, having a busy ol' April. Not only is he launching a trio of beers in collaboration with Robinsons Brewery, to go with steak, chicken and curry, he's also releasing a new book on 1 April, Men Love Pies, Girls Like Hummus, which sounds like a new high for feminism.
And if, after that, you need something to elevate you to higher spirits, Manchester boozers and 'bar consultants' The Liquorists are back with Rum Trail 4, the latest instalment in their popular series of alcoholic adventures. The pair's bold claim of a no-hangover guarantee may well be hard to believe, but definitely serves as justification enough to challenge them to their word. The trails run from 10 April – 3 May on selected dates, and start at £30; see theliquorists.com for details.