Kantina Weekender

Kantina Weekender at Escape to Freight Island, Manchester, 28–31 May 2021, from £35 - Book now

The team behind Escape To Freight Island are prepping for the return to a semi-kind of normality with the Kantina Weekender. Taking place at the home of Escape To Freight Island, Depot Mayfield, this is a new all-food and drink extravaganza for 2021, and boy do we need it right now. The Kantina Weekender will be running from Friday 28 May to Monday 31 May only and a pre-booked ticket will cost £35 but this is fully redeemable as credit to spend on all the excellent food and drink vendors who are taking part.

We’re promised some of the most high-profile food and drink names from the North and beyond

And what a line-up it is. Alongside all the highly-rated existing vendors, you’ll find some of the UK’s most prestigious chefs, cocktail makers and brewers, not to mention a host of local restaurant heroes. You can feel safe here as this open-air space (with handy covering in case the Manchester weather takes a turn) adheres to all the necessary distancing regulations and was a standout success when it came to COVID safe hospitality last year. The area itself is made up of various parts, all designed to encourage maximum fun with your group of friends while reducing risk. At the time of writing in mid-February, that all seems like a million years ago, so we’re chomping at the bit to get out to an event like this. Escape to Freight Island is made-up of a grand Ticket Hall, a covered outside courtyard and a brand-new Pavilion filled to the brim with plants, creating a calm, green, urban oasis.

Curious about some of the guest vendors from the food and drink world? We’re promised some of the most high-profile food and drink names from the North and beyond. Mary-Ellen McTague, from Creameries in Chorlton will pair with Great Northern Pies; Gary Usher from Elite Bistros will partner with Forever Changes; Tast of King Street and Baratxuri will join grill forces and Pippy Eats with Mi+Pho for noodle heaven.

Joining Dan Hope of Escape to Freight Island’s Plant Grill and as a key part of the Kantina Weekender will be Sam Buckley, from the applauded Stockport-based restaurant Where The Light Gets In, which has most recently taken the accolade to become one of only 23 businesses in the UK and Ireland to receive a ‘green’ Michelin star. (The new ‘green’ star celebrates sustainable gastronomy practises and recognises the restaurants who are leading the way in sustainability.)

Escape To Freight Island established itself as a social and cultural hub that took safety and customer satisfaction seriously

The line-up also includes Stosie Madi, from Parkers Arms, the legendary Simon Martin from Manchester’s first Michelin starred restaurant in 41 years Mana; Michelin starred chef Brad Carter of Carters of Mosley will partner in house resident Madre, and the excellent Higher Ground. More information about these and other incredible chefs will be announced in the coming weeks.

During last year’s tough times, Escape To Freight Island established itself as a social and cultural hub that took safety and customer satisfaction seriously, creating some of the standout eating-out moments for many. The Kantina Weekender looks to improve on this, and then some.

The event begins at 4 pm on Friday, and 12 pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday ending at 10 pm each night.