What's On
A huge outdoor food and drink festival on May Bank Holiday weekend has been announced
‘Kantina Weekender is an opportunity to finally come back together and share in the joy of food and drink’
The team behind Escape to Freight Island over at Depot Mayfield have announced a brand-new food and drink festival for 2021: Kantina Weekender.
With vaccines being rolled out across the country at rapid speed, we’re all hoping that by the time summer comes around things will be a bit more back to normal, and we can start enjoying the things we love again.
The guys at Freight Island are optimistic we will be able to enjoy some cracking food and drink, with Kantina Weekender set to run from Friday May 28th to Monday 31st at Depot Mayfield.
Escape to Freight Island is a new, vast industrial fairground of food, drink, music and entertainment, and was the standout success in Covid safe hospitality last year.
Home to some of Manchester’s most loved restaurants and bars, Freight Island is made-up of a grand Ticket Hall, a covered outside courtyard and a brand-new Pavilion – filled to the brim with plants, creating a calm, green, oasis in the city.
Jody Hartley / Escape to Freight Island
Kantina Weekender’s lineup will include incredible local food and craft-beers, as well as new-world wines and liquors, and will feature some Manchester favourites collaborating to serve up mouthwatering dishes.
Mary-Ellen McTague from Creameries in Chorlton will pair with Great Northern Pies; Gary Usher from Elite Bistros will partner with Forever Changes; Tast of King Street and Baratxuri will join grill forces; and Pippy Eats will partner with Mi+Pho for noodle heaven.
The lineup also includes Stosie Madi from Parkers Arms, and the legendary Simon Martin from Manchester’s first Michelin Star restaurant in 41 years, Mana.
Joining them will be Sam Buckley from Stockport-based Where The Light Gets In, which recently became one of only 23 businesses in the UK and Ireland to receive a ‘green’ Michelin Star – an accolade which celebrates sustainability.
Sam said: “I’m absolutely delighted to finally be cooking at Escape to Freight Island. 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.”
As for drinks, Pomona Island will team up with Lervig and Northern Monk, and Deya and Camden Town Brewery will complete the beer offering. On the wine side, Charlie Miller from the Laughing Heart and Dom the Som aka Dynamite MC will join other special guest wine experts.
During Kantina Weekender, Escape to Freight Island will host a packed roster of live entertainment, exclusive talks on stage, satellite events, wine tasting and a guaranteed feast for all.
The charity partner for the event 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 Greater Manchester – a percentage will be included on to bills with the choice to opt-out.
Dan Morris, managing director of Escape To Freight Island said: “Kantina Weekender is an opportunity to finally come back together and share in the joy of food and drink.
“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.”
Tickets will set you back £35 per person, and this is fully redeemable as credit to spend at Kantina Weekender – you can find more info here.