Chef Demonstration Theatre at St Anns

Take your seat in MFDF’s demonstration theatre and prepare to be stunned by the culinary wizardry of celebrity chefs, local food heroes and famous foodie faces as a packed timetable of palate pleasing presentations unfolds. In the heart of St Ann’s Square, you will be able to discover the secrets behind the chef’s signature creations, pick up tips on how to execute a dish like a professional, learn about the plethora of local produce that finds its way onto our plates and sample some of the amazing food that has been freshly prepared before your very eyes. 

More than 40 chefs from a range of regional restaurants are lined up to take you on a gastronomic journey through the flavours of the world, with Indian, Malaysian, Italian, European and Great British dishes all being cooked up throughout the festival. The theatre will also showcase the MFDF Producer of the Year competition and the MFDF Cheese Challenge as well as the exciting Hospitality Skills Academy and a special Love Food Hate Waste day.

Thursday, October 1

12pm – Aiden Byrne – The youngest chef ever to gain a Michelin star cooks up regional dishes from his Cheshire restaurant The Church Green.  

1pm – David Gale – Chef of the Year nominee David takes time out from being at the helm of the Hilton’s Podium restaurant to demonstrate why he is one of the city’s best chefs.

2pm – Paul Heathcote – The acclaimed culinary star of the North West cooks up a feast that champions the region’s local produce.

3pm - Robert Owen Brown – A stalwart of the Manchester dining scene, The Angel chef takes cooking back to its British roots with hearty dishes.

4pm – Chef Academy

Friday, October 2

12pm – Steve Midgley – City Cafe’s head chef demonstrates classical cooking with a modern twist.

1pm – Khim Lal Gaire – From the hotplate of Zouk Tea Bar & Grill (Newcomer of The Year nominee), Khim showcases the art of Indian/Pakistan cookery.

2pm – Gareth Phillips – The Soup Kitchen chef takes to the stoves.

3pm – Stuart Thomson – Head chef of Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor Restaurant delivers a flavour of fine dining.

4pm – Oliver Thomas – The River Restaurant head chef showcases his fine dining cuisine.  

Saturday, October 3            

12pm – Ian Armstrong – Hailing from the illustrious surrounds of Room, Ian cooks up some modern day dishes.

1pm – Ian Matfin – The Chef of the Year nominee shares some of his secrets from the kitchen at award-winning restaurant Abode.

2pm – David Fox – Enjoy a culinary journey through the regional cooking of Asia with the Tampopo chef.

3pm – David Gale - Chef of the Year nominee David takes time out from being at the helm of the Hilton’s Podium restaurant to demonstrate why he is one of the city’s best chefs.

4pm – Wing Chu – Discover a taste of China with the chef from acclaimed eatery Wings.

Sunday, October 4

1pm – Andrew Green – Head chef at Manchester’s new Park Inn cooks up British classics.

2pm – Solos Astin – Discover how to cook the Greek way with Kosmos chef Solos

3pm – Karl Bittner – A showcase of classic cookery from the Glasshouse chef.

5pm – Dan Place – Take a trip back to your childhood with this milkshake demonstration. 

Monday, October 5

COMMUNITY FOOD DAY

Tuesday, October 6

1pm – Abdulla Naseem –  Ramsons’ award-winning chef ‘Naz’ impresses with his culinary skill and use of top local produce.

2pm –  Dan Borza – Didsbury’s Loch Fyne chef showcases a selection of seafood dishes. 

3pm- Gareth Phillips - The Soup Kitchen chef takes to the stoves.

4pm – Peter Booth – The Modern Caterer himself cooks up locally sourced produce.

Wednesday, October 7

12pm - Khim Lal Gaire – From the hotplate of Zouk Tea Bar & Grill (Newcomer of The Year nominee), Khim showcases the art of Indian/Pakistan cookery.

1pm – Michael Caines – The celebrity chef brings his Michelin-starred magic to Manchester for this exclusive event.

2pm – Harry Yeng – Discover the art of Chinese cooking from one of the chef’s behind top eatery Yang Sing.

3pm – Bill Baird – Take your tastebuds to Japan with a demonstration by the Wagamama chef.

4pm – Mark A Jones – A demonstration of modern British food by the Choice chef.

Thursday, October 8 

12pm – Phong – A flavour of Japan from the Sapporo Teppanyaki chef.

1pm – Antony Dunbar –  The Isinglass head chef creates dishes using produce from around the region.

2pm – Louise Varley – A culinary discovery of Italian cuisine from the chef at Ramsbottom restaurant Hideaway.

3pm – Liam McKay – Top end modern cuisine cooked up by the Opus Bar and Grill chef.

4pm – Andrew Dekannwarri  - A spicy showcase from JustSpice UK.

Friday, October 9  

12pm – Clippy’s Apples – ‘Clippy, founder of the unique Clippy’s Apples brand is considered to be at the forefront of the preserves world. Clippy will demonstrate the secrets behind a silky jam and a perfect pickle’.

1pm – David Fox - Enjoy a culinary journey through the regional cuisines of Asia with Tampopo chef David.

2pm - Khim Lal Gaire – From the hotplate of Zouk Tea Bar & Grill (Newcomer of the Year nominee), Khim showcases the art of Indian/Pakistan cookery.

3pm – Sally Shawarby – The Damson chef present modern British food with a local twist.

4pm – Loulla Astin - Discover how to cook the Greek way with Kosmos chef Solos.

Saturday, October 10

1pm – Clarissa Dickson Wright – Celebrity cook, local food champion and one half of the Two Fat Ladies, Clarissa makes a special appearance at MFDF to sign copies of her new book Rifling Through My Drawers.

2pm – John Benson-Smith – The executive chef at Manchester City’s Eastlands stadium and Chef of the Year nominee cooks up a storm.

3pm – Norman Musa – The owner of Ning and Chef of the Year nominee shares his secrets of Malaysian cookery.

4pm – Sudesh Singh – The Shilma Pinks chef takes on the heat of the demonstration kitchen.

5pm – Paul Morris – Those with a sweet tooth should not miss this special demonstration by Paul Morris of the Chocolate Café.

Sunday, October 11

12pm – Bryn Evans – Contemporary cuisine cooked up by the head chef of Obsidian.

1pm – Austin Appelton - head pastry chef from the Lowry

2pm – Ryan Hattingh – Learn how to cook the perfect steak with Gaucho chef Ryan.

3pm - Paul Beckley – Classical cooking at its best from The French Restaurant chef.

4pm – Ervin Zhaboli – Discover a taste of Japan with the Samsi chef.

5pm – Tim Stokes – Dishes from the Henry J Beans chef.