Freight Island’s Kantina Weekender will celebrate the joy of food and drink

The team behind Escape to Freight Island at Depot Mayfield has announced a brand-new all-encompassing food and drink celebration over the May bank holiday.

Kantina Weekender will showcase the culinary talent at Escape to Freight Island, while introducing some of the UK’s most prestigious chefs, cocktail makers, brewers and local restaurant heroes into the space for the first time. 

Mary-Ellen McTague, from Creameries in Chorlton will pair with Great North Pies; Gary Usher from Elite Bistros will partner with Forever Changes; Tast of King Street and Baratxuri will join grill forces, and Pippy Eats with Mi+Pho for noodle heaven. 

The line-up also includes Stosie Madi from Parkers Arms and Simon Martin from Manchester’s first Michelin starred restaurant in 41 years, Mana.

Michelin starred chef Brad Carter of Carters of Mosley will partner in-house resident Madre, and Higher Ground will complete the line-up.

More information about these incredible chefs will be announced in the coming weeks.  

Joining Dan Hope of Escape to Freight Island’s Plant Grill will be Sam Buckley from the acclaimed Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In, which has most recently taken the accolade to become one of only 23 businesses in the UK and Ireland to receive a green Michelin star. 

The new ‘green’ star celebrates sustainable gastronomy practises and recognises the restaurants who are leading the way in sustainability.  

“I’m absolutely delighted to finally be cooking at Escape to Freight Island,” said Sam.

“It’s an incredible space in the heart of the city and Kantina Weekender will be a great return for food fans across the country.”

Dishoom, the nation’s favourite Bombay comfort food will also be at the weekender, and Pomona Island will team up with Lervig and Northern Monk for the beer offering, which also includes Deya and Camden Town Brewery.

On the wine side, Charlie Miller from the Laughing Heart and Dom the Som aka Dynamite MC, will join other special guest wine experts to be announced soon.

Alongside the food and drink, Escape to Freight Island, which is made up of a grand Ticket Hall, a covered outside courtyard and a brand-new Pavilion filled with plants, will host a roster of accompanying live entertainment, exclusive talks on stage, satellite events and wine tasting. 

The charity partner for Kantina Weekender will be Eat Well MCR – a Manchester collective made up of hospitality professionals and volunteers from all sectors delivering meals to people facing challenging circumstances in the Great Manchester area.

A percentage will be included on to bills with the choice to opt-out.

“Kantina Weekender is an opportunity to finally come back together and share in the joy of food and drink,” said Dan Morris, managing director of Escape To Freight Island.

“We are very proud to be able to showcase the talents of the Escape To Freight Island residents whilst they collaborate with some of the UK’s most prestigious chefs, brewers, bartenders and all round hospitality heroes.

“Manchester’s food and drink scene is a special one and we can’t wait to celebrate it.”

Kantina Weekender will run from Friday 28th May to Monday 31st May 2021 at Depot Mayfield. You can find out more here.