Eat Well, Do Good Festival
Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
This October, the community-focused non-profit organisation Eat Well MCR launches The Eat Well, Do Good Festival, a week-long series of events and fundraising activities to celebrate Manchester’s hospitality community.
Running from the 21st to the 27th of October (plus a few days earlier), the festival aims to raise awareness, but more importantly, funds to support Eat Well MCR’s efforts to provide meals to those in need, including women taking refuge in sheltered accommodation, parents of children staying in hospitals, food banks, and schools supporting young people and families affected by food poverty. It delivers around 2,500 meals a month to the people who need them.
As for the festival, you can expect a variety of activities and events across Manchester, including the likes of Ramona, Maray, 10 Tib Lane, chef Caroline Martins, The Little Sri Lankan, and many others.
So what’s on the agenda? Here’s a list of some of the highlights, but check the Eat Well site for the full lineup:
11 & 12 October – The Little Sri Lankan
At CT-fave, The Little Sri Lankan emerged during lockdown, serving up rice and curry packs. Then, in 2022, they started to do incredible Sri Lankan supper clubs. Join them at Kampus for an evening of food and an insight into Sri Lankan cuisine, with Malanie talking through each dish and how it links to her family.
18 October – Something More Productive with Rice Over Everything
Something More Productive is an independent café and bar in South Manchester, serving a seasonal menu with a focus on local suppliers and community projects. May, from Rice Over Everything, has joined forces to bring her Burmese culinary expertise to thier offering. Burmese food is a vibrant fusion of spices and dishes influenced by Thailand, China, and India, featuring noodles, fresh salads, and curries.
19 October – Hot Buttered, Knights BBQ and Odioba
Manchester chef collective Hot Buttered team up with Knights BBQ & Odioba for a day of live fire cooking, cocktails and more at Kampus.
20 October – Tartuffe
Chef Gary Weir will take over the Kampus bungalow for a one-off Sunday dinner with a magical five course menu.
22 October – Blue by Keaton Cooper
A supper from chef Keaton Cooper. Keaton is an experienced chef with a background in Michelin-starred restaurants, including The Angel at Hetton and Moor Hall.
24 October – Hello Oriental
The acclaimed Manchester street-food hall offers an uncensored East Asian culinary journey across three floors. In this one-off pop-up event, diners can expect authentic Cantonese dishes, beloved favourites from across East Asia, with drinks to match.
25th October – Calcio with Caroline Martins
MasterChef and Great British Menu star Caroline Martins elevates cult classic street food with her fine dining expertise. One of our absolute favourite chefs in Manchester, join her and her just-as-lovely partner for a Steak & Wine Night at Calcio.
26 October – Ceramic Supper
Hosted by chef Holly Sumner and ceramicist Frida Cooper, who will be showcasing a seasonal, locally sourced menu in collaboration with handmade plates to celebrate wonderful food, good company and hand-crafted products.
27 October – SuppHER
Anna Søgaard and Kim McBride founded Suppher in 2019, and met whilst working together at Erst in Ancoats, Manchester. The event will showcase the talents of women in hospitality with a focus on seasonal food, sustainable produce and low-intervention wines. It is a collaboration with Hannah Rose Hall (Pearl at Parkhill), Sian Wilson (NORD), Beccy Corcoran (Where The Light Gets In), who will be curating a special four-course lunch with an optional wine pairing.
