NOMA feasts champion great local food and sustainability

Something new and exciting is coming to Manchester at the end of May.

Sadler’s Yard in NOMA is playing host to A Good Feed, an exploration and celebration of food culture in the north.

It’s a collaboration between the proprietors of Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In, Northern Quarter institution Common, and design studio Plant NOMA.

The square, which currently plays host to The Pilcrow pub, will turn into a hub of culinary activity and discussion. It’s just the first step in their mission to champion and challenge northern food.

“We’re just trying to do something accessible and fun”, says Jonny Heyes of Common, part of the organisational team. “No awards, no celebrities, just good honest cooking that engages with the community and environmental issues.

“We wanted to keep things nice and accessible so we’re hosting a series of ‘feeds’, gathering some interesting and talented folk from across Manchester to cook a simple one plate dish on an open fire.”

It’s an ambitious decision that aims to recreate the idea of the community coming together to eat, as well as keeping the environmental impact low.

“The fire or oven, traditionally, was the heart of the home and the heart of the community. So we wanted to have it as the theme for our event.”

At these daily events, special guests will be producing one-off dishes for guests with sessions from Lord Logs/Mark Parr, Sam Buckley from WTLGI, Matt Nutter from Allotment, and Mary-Ellen McTague of The Creameries.

Celebrating meat, fish, vegan and vegetarian food respectively, each one promises to blow ticket holders away and you can spend some time talking to the chef, helping to prepare, and spending time around the fire.

Some of the city’s favourite traders and establishments will create some interesting new collaborations and inventions.

“We’re doing a collaborative kebab stand, Honest Crust will be working closely with Manc Veg People to make a northern pizza while Umezushi will be chargrilling yakitori”, says Jonny.

The event was originally planned alongside a symposium, A Good Seed, which has now been rescheduled.

They’ll be turning their attention to the farm-to-fork process, sustainable production and the impact the food and drink industry is having on the region. Before long, it’s hoped there’ll also be a permanent A Good Feed space as a cultivating space for innovative food and drink start-ups.

Come to A Good Feed to hear from expert speakers, sample innovative new food businesses, and get a new perspective on the hospitality industry. It’s bound to be both thought provoking and tasty.

“We’re just trying to do something accessible and fun”, says Jonny. “No awards, no celebrities. Just good honest cooking that engages with the community and environmental issues.”

A Good Feed takes place over the bank holiday weekend Friday 25th – Monday 28th May. Tickets £10.

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