CityLife

Robert Owen Brown offers more than just a meal

Hunter gathering?

WHEN the CityLife.co.uk Manchester Food and Drink Festival folk organised their Chef Auction at the chic Great John Street Hotel they had no idea what one of the top prizes would involve.

Each of the seven chefs on offer was to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, the money going to the festival’s Grassroots Foundation fund, to promote healthy eating.

In each case the chef you ‘bought’ would prepare a dinner with wine in your own home. Maverick chef Robert Owen Brown, from new gastropub The Angel, went one further.

At the end of a sometimes rowdy bidding session he pledged to take his purchasers on a hunting or fishing expedition before cooking up the catch.

Fellow chefs chef Michael Riemenschneider (Juniper) and David Gale (Hilton’s Podium) were so impressed they stumped up £800 for the privilege. Whether it will fishing rods or shotguns at the ready, CityLife’s yet to find out.

Tonight's (October 7) festival dinner at Juniper in Altrincham has been postponed. To check the new date, ring 0161 929 4008.