My intention here was to elaborate on my initial Manchester Food and Drink Festival post from Saturday (22/09/12). As any of you that have seen it, it wasn't really an example of exemplary writing. It wasn't anything. I was trying to be clever. I shan't be doing that again in a hurry.
So, to expand on the original 'post'.
I've been to the MFDF Festival only once before, a few years ago. I don't remember it too clearly. Only that I was sat in a huge tent supping ales for the best part of a whole day.
Needless to say, that was precisely what Lucie and I ended up doing the day we went.
We decided to meet after lunch (to avoid the crazy rush), have a goosey gander at what was on offer then pick a spot to listen to some music and have a drink and some food.
Pretty much as soon as we walked through the gates we found ourselves in a queue for the relaisdevenise or L'Entrecote as it is probably more commonly known, where we sampled a few of their fine French cheeses (I recall the Brie being amazingly soft, not at all gooey, and absolutely delicious) unfortunately I couldn't for the life of me tell you the names of any of them -I had not, of course, taken notes, but they were all delicious. We also had a little taster of the house red which was perfectly quaffable and a fruity, winey (<<excellent descriptive writing skills on display right here folks!) accompaniment to the fromage. The day after I found a 50% off voucher in my purse for our next visit to them too. As if we needed more incentive to go there! Thank you anyway.
With a taste for wine now settled we opted for a glass of Marlborough Sauvingnon Blanc (aka MSB) from the cute harveynichols van. I used to work at the 2nd floor restaurant many moons ago as it happens and taking that first sip was like being transported back to the Brasserie bar on a Sunday evening after a hectic weekend shift almost 10 years ago. It is, without doubt, one of my favourite house wines. We also could hardly believe it was only £2 per glass.
Glass in hand we got ourselves into the queue for the big indie food tent. Full of independent suppliers and producers of anything ranging from pies and cakes to cheeses and spreads to sweeties to hot sauces (half way through my bottle of Guadalupe hot sauce already - that shit is goood) to cordials and ales and even Yorkshire mulled wine. We tasted everything. The hot sauce, sampled on a tortilla chip, nearly caused my head to erupt and my eyeballs to fly out of my head at lightening speed and straight into Lucies head. Now, because I'm a bit of a twat and I enjoy practical jokes, I somehow managed to keep my soaring inner pain well hidden and when Lucie asked me how the hot sauce tasted I calmly said "yeh, It's yummy, very fruity, you'd love it, try some". Which she did.
Her reaction was a lot less subtle. Her eyeballs simply swelled up like little socketed angry blowfish as the tirade of absurdities flew out of her, by now very warmed up, mouth and straight at me.
I felt bad afterwards.
She also had a bigger splodge of it than I did.
We both then necked our MSB. It was all we had.
Onto the wonderful booths country part of the tent. We tasted a whole range of wines and a few ales. The Moorhouse's Blonde Witch being the one that caught my attention. I picked up a bottle or two. The folks that worked on the stalls there that day were so friendly and encouraging to try their products. I loved that. Sometimes you can feel like you're taking the mick a little by trying all the little samples and sometimes (rarely) you withhold because you don't want to come across as a skanky free-loader, well, these lovely Booths folk practically encouraged it. "Have more" "try this one" "try this one again" "have a go with this one....No, have a bigger bit" "now with this bit of sauce" etc.... That's what we want at a food show. It bloody worked on me and I ended up with a few choice food items. Bingo. Job done.
I'm feeling a little bloated at the memory of it all now.
Outside the tent there was plenty more on offer to quench thirsts and satisfy appetites. Pancakes and waffles and noodles and potato things and exotic burgers. As it turns out, Lucie and I couldn't eat another thing. We could however manage a pint of cider.
Or two.
Maybe another half?
We found a spare edge of a bench and made ourselves at home. It's a pleasure to be able to sit and watch the world go by sometimes. Just soaking up good vibes and the constant waft in the air of sweets and treats. Pure heaven. Everyone there looked like they were really enjoying themselves. In the spirit (quite literally in some cases) of things.
If it wasn't for the fact it was edging closer to 8pm and I had offered to cook dinner for us both and to do this I had to get to Sainsbury's back in Urmston before it closed, then I believe we would have stayed all night. There was some beautiful singing going on, setting the packed crowd up for a comfortable, well stocked evening of food festivalling. The weather was heavenly too. Beautiful blue skies and a slight Autumn chill in the air.
We really did have a great day. I apologise profusely for not being able to detail any further, but, you should go and see for yourselves. Find some gem of your own and go and enjoy the atmosphere.
Well done Manchester foodanddrinkfestival 2012.
Lovely stuff.
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