Ideas for food and drink at Northern Restaurant & Bar in Manchester
From spirits and catering equipment to ideas for cocktails and food, Northern Restaurant & Bar is the biggest hospitality exhibition for the north of England. Now in its 16th year, it is set to bring together over 270 exhibitors for operators of bars, pubs, restaurants, clubs and hotels to source new products and services and gain business insights.
Running on March 15 and 16 at Manchester Central, it features an extensive programme of tastings, demonstrations and workshops, including leading chefs from around the UK in the Chef Live Theatre and the annual NRB Debate, headlined by leading food writer Jay Rayner talking candidly on restaurant trends and issues. Presentations in the Drinks Live Theatre, curated by Dave Marsland of Drinks Enthusiast, will include Glenfiddich whisky, Martell cognac, Warner Edwards gin, Casa Herradura tequila and Macchu and La Diablada piscos.
The show will have specialist areas such as artisan food suppliers in the Market Kitchen and an extensive selection of spirits and liqueurs in the Spirit Room curated by Drinks Enthusiast. This is due to include Brittains Vodka, Double Dutch mixers, Elephant Gin, Emporia Brands, Harry Brompton’s Alcoholic Ice Tea, Masons Yorkshire Gin, Minus 33 spirit, Tarquin’s Dry Gin, Spirit Cartel, Top Spirits, Warner Edwards and Whyte & Mackay. The Grape & Grain theatre will feature wine, beer and cider tastings from the likes of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), brewers Sharp’s and Robinsons, and Thatcher’s and Thistly Cross ciders.
One of the highlights will be the national final of Emporia Brands’ Tequila Casco Viejo Tequila competition where bartenders will compete with creative cocktails to win a trip to Mexico. The show will also host the announcement of the NRB Top Fifty – the annual list of the most influential people in bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels in the north. It is part of the NRB Fringe which extends to other events around Manchester including trade-only after-parties at some of the city’s bars.
For details of exhibitors and events and to register for free, visit www.northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk.
Pictured: Miran Chauhan of The Bon Vivant in Edinburgh at last year’s show
