Metrolink official travel partner of the 15th Annual Manchester Food & Drink Festival

Celebrity chef and television favourite John Torode was in Manchester to launch the 15th annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival and announce that Metrolink is the event’s official travel partner for the third year running.

“We’re delighted to welcome Metrolink back… they are a crucial supporter in making the festival happen… connecting the huge number of participating venues and customers…”

John is appearing at the festival in September and was on hand to help mark the official countdown to the event. Arriving in the city, the Masterchef host took a scenic trip on an iconic yellow tram and it was announced that Metrolink would once again be the official travel partner to the festival, providing the vital link between events for Manchester foodies.

Celebrating its 15th year, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival takes place from 21 September to 8 October. A raft of exciting events, activities and tastings are planned including an exclusive Metrolink Masterclass and Q&A with John Torode which will take place in the Live Cookery Theatre as part of the Festival Hub on Albert Square on 29 September. Full details will be announced soon.

The Festival Hub, the main festival outdoor site on Albert Square, looks set to provide the most exciting food and drink adventure ever, extending over three weekends due to popularity with a super-sized local ales festival, craft beers bar, Pub on the Hub, Pop Up Wine Bar, Cider Carnival, Oktoberfest, cocktail bar, Independent Producers Fair, Manchester Cook Off, communal, long-table banquets, Live Cookery Theatre, and the biggest street food festival the region has ever seen!

Plus there’ll be the Big Indie Wine Fest, Whisky Festival and a programme of restaurant events for the mammoth 17 days. The event, as usual, will be topped off with the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards (8 October) – the glamorous finale to the festival, where the region’s food and drink heroes are rewarded in glittering style.

Commenting on the festival, John Torode said: “I have heard great things about the Manchester Food and Drink Festival and am delighted to be taking part in this year’s event. Manchester has a fantastic foodie reputation and I’m looking forward to sampling the best that the city has to offer.”

As the official travel partner of the festival again this year, Metrolink provides the vital link for galloping gourmets looking to connect between events across the city centre and surrounding areas of Eccles, Altrincham, Chorlton, Bury and Oldham. With Metrolink, festival-goers can leave the car at home and travel quickly, safely and easily between venues, enjoying the best that the festival has to offer.

Philip Purdy, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, says: “Metrolink continues to be at the heart of the city and we’re proud to once again show our support for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. It’s been a pleasure showing John around the city on the tram and we look forward to welcoming him back for his Masterclass in September.”

Siobhan Hanley, MFDF Director, said: “We are so excited about this year’s landmark ‘big fifteen’ festival. The event and its thousands of fans deserve a birthday party to be proud of and that’s what they’re going to get – with the UK’s best chefs, restaurants, brewers and producers providing the food! We’re delighted to welcome Metrolink back as our official travel partners. They are a crucial supporter in making the festival happen, and in connecting the huge number of participating venues and customers – what the festival is all about!”.

MORE INFO

For full details of the events planned to celebrate this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival, please visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com. For further information on Metrolink, please visit www.metrolink.co.uk.