Now in its 19th year, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) will return for 12 days of eating, drinking and showcasing top talent from the city and beyond in 2016.

The event takes place from September 29 to October 9 and will feature a new and improved festival hub in Albert Square. The bespoke, pop-up food village will be open from 12pm – 11pm every day with a whole new design and layout and some first-time additions.

In situ throughout the festival will be the city’s best mix of street food traders (from Manchester and beyond), Marstons Ale Trail Bar, Vin Van Voom Wine, the MFDF live music stage and the now legendary Manchester’s 100 Greatest Beer Bar.

The festival Bake-Off will return to the hub on October 9, where amateur bakers can enter the race to become Manchester’s second MFDF Bake Off Champion. In addition there’ll be a rolling programme of pop up events, mini festivals, masterclasses and more.

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MFDF will be an opportunity to see some of the finest talent perform gastronomic alchemy – at live cookery theatres, banquets and pop up dinner events. Confirmed culinary stars so far include Nadiya Hussain (Great British Bake Off), who will be performing in the Live Cookery Theatre and sharing her home grown baking tips on Saturday October 8.

Manchester House’s Aiden Byrne will be performing live at the festival, as well as collaborating with others for a special festival spectacular with Nacho Manzano, the three Michelin starred executive chef of Iberica, Manzano will be visiting Manchester especially for the Festival and hosting a one off, extra special MFDF event on October 4.

Susy Atkins, one of UK’s best known and loved wine writers and experts, will be stepping out of Saturday Kitchen straight to Manchester, where she’ll be performing at MFDF’s second annual Three Wine Women event on September 29.

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Adam Reid, head chef at The French by Simon Rogan and previous MFDF ‘Chef of the Year’ will be sharing secrets at the festival hub, as well as staging his very own, one-off restaurant this year. EAT With Adam will be Reid’s MFDF Festaurant on October 4, 5 and 6. Tickets will cost £60 and go on sale soon.

Jackie Kearney, author of Vegan Street Food and Masterchef runner up will be gracing MFDF with her meat and dairy free experimental vegan banquet and Ginger’s Comfort Emporium’s Claire Kelsey and the rest of her MilkJam crew, baking goddess Charlotte O’Toole of Bakeorama and Nicky Griffiths of Lush Brownieswill also be teaming up for a special pop up.

Kate Goodman, founder and owner of the award-winning Reserve Wines will be back on board at MFDF for Three Wine Women as well as The Big Indie Wine Fest at Whitworth Park on October 7 and 8.

Ramsbottom’s critically acclaimed Spanish restaurant Baratxuri will also be holding a city centre pop up restaurant at the festival, bringing their delicious Basque Country themed menu out from the suburbs and into the heart of Manchester for one night only.

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From Spain to Italy, and this year the Festival will be celebrating the country that has perhaps given the world more cuisine to treasure than anywhere else. MFDF has teamed up with Manchester restaurant Salvi’s to stage a weekend dedicated to the likes of Buffalo Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Prosecco, pizza, gelato, olive oil, salami, Parma ham, Primativo and stacks more.

As well as inviting their favourite supplier to Manchester, Salvi’s will also be hosting a “20 Metre Pizza” street collaboration as well as dedicated ‘Italian heritage’ walks around the city.

The festival fringe will also see a host of food events across Manchester’s restaurants, bars, cafes, delis, museums and more. The full programme will be announced over the coming months, but participating venues include El Gato Negro, Hawksmoor, Iberica, Eagle and Child, Tariff and Dale, Mr Cooper’s, Albert’s Schloss, Harvey Nichols, Heaton Hops, James Martin and many more.

The Bookatable Festival Feast will be a series of limited edition, bespoke, dining menus, created by Manchester’s restaurants especially for the Manchester Food and Drink festival in association with Bookatable.

Finally, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Gala Dinner and Awards will be taking place on October 10. Full details of the location for the Dinner and the Awards Shortlist will be announced in June.

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