The Manchester food and drink scene has never been hotter. From street food to speakeasys, the city’s dining at a more diverse table than ever. But how do you get started in a notoriously difficult business sector?

This year we’re out on the road, in conjuction with GrubMcr we’re at The Fairfield Social Club. Grab a drink and hear from our panel of Food & Drink Festival Award nominees as they share the secrets of their success.

You’ll get the chance to ask them questions, pick up top tips, & learn the tricks of the trade.

The evenings compère:

Jason Bailey from GRUB, a street food and drinks events company founded in 2014 by husband and wife team Jason & Juliana Bailey after a successful run as street food traders themselves. GRUB is committed to assisting and mentoring street food traders in order to support the grass roots food and drink community of Manchester. Jason has enjoyed a varied career starting in music promotion then moving into finance and project management before launching his own street food company. Grub were winners of last years Best Pop Up Event.

On the panel:

Michael De Martiis – Co-owner of Sugo Pasta Kitchen, nominated in 3 of this years categories (Restaurant of The Year, Casual Restaurant of the Year and Out of Town Restaurant of the Year). Sugo have enjoyed 4 successful years serving their Southern Italian menu in Altrincham and have just opened a second site in the redeveloped Ancoats this June.

Chelsea Campbell – Owner of Vegan streetfood caterers Wholesome Junkies and star of the recent BBC TV show “Million Pound Menu”, Chelsea is nominated in this years Street Food Trader of the year category. Chelsea worked in the catering industry for eight years before setting up Wholesome Junkies in early 2017 with a mission to show that vegan food is not boring.

Jonny Heyes – Co-founder of Common which opened in the Northern Quarter in 2004, one of the pioneers of the areas resurgence. Jonny has since gone on to open Port Street Beer House (nominated for Pub of the Year), The Pilcrow Pub, The Beagle in Chorlton and runs the annual Independent Manchester Beer Convention held in the Grade II listed Victoria Baths, now in it’s 7th year.”

Aarti Pandey – winner of last year’s Best Street Food Vendor, Aarti owner of Chaat Cart made a name for herself with years of grafting at markets, festivals and at the Spinningfields start-up incubator The Kitchens before opening her permanent venue in Marple last Summer, nominated this year for Best Vegetarian Offering.

Doors at 6.00pm, bar open from 6.00pm – 9.00pm

Panel discussion followed by Q & A session from 6.30-8.00pm

This is an official Manchester Food and Drink Festival Fringe event.