CityLife

Clarissa Dickson Wright for Manchester Food and Drink Festival

Clarissa Dickson Wright - star guest

CITYLIFE’S lips are smacking already. The Manchester Food and Drink Festival is nearly upon us and some tasty events are being announced.

Full day-by-day details (October 1-12) can be found on the festival website (see link right), but here are a few choice appetisers.

MFDF’s Dinner In The City series (foodanddrinkfestival. com/events/view/97 for line-up) is showcasing top chefs at top restaurants throughout the festival.

Donations from each of the special evenings will go to the MFDF Grass Roots Fund, which is part of the city’s community initiative Forever Manchester.

Famous foodies

Inevitably there are some clashes. Take Thursday, October 8. How to choose between the Michelin-starred magic on offer at An Evening With Michael Caines at Abode and none DITC event The Taste of Yorkshire Dinner at Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor with the legendary Andrew Perns of the Star Inn, Harome, and other top Tyke chefs.

St Ann’s Square plays host to the Festival’s Fine Foods Village, featuring a fine foods market.

An exciting mix of the city’s chefs and famous foodies are also set to bring the square alive in the adjacent MFDF Chef Demo Theatre.

‘Producer Of The Year Contest’ is being judged this year by former Fat Lady and acclaimed cookery writer Clarissa Dickson Wright alongside and regional British food guru Henrietta Green on Saturday, October 10.

And after casting her critical eye over the local producers, Clarissa will be staying on to sign copies of her latest book Rifling Through My Drawers

During the final weekend of MFDF 2009, activities will move to Albert Square where an exciting new Festival Finale Pavilion will take shape for a spectacular end to the event. Don’t forget, too, the wine event of the year. The MFDF Independent and Local Wine Festival (October 2-3, Second Floor Gallery Urbis) celebrates the finest local independent wine merchants with two packed days of tastings and masterclasses.

Day tickets cost £10, weekend tickets £15. Book via lik right...

LOVERS of Chilean wine are in for a treat on Wednesday, September 30, when one of the world’s leading winemakers, Marcelo Papa, from Casillero del Diablo, hosts a five-course tasting menu with appropriate wine matches at Harvey Nichols, for just £20 a head. To make a reservation, contact foodandwine@cubecom.co.uk or call 020 8401 5506.