American pop star Lizzo caused huge excitement over the weekend amongst Manchester foodies after posting a video of herself enthusing over goodies from Manchester bakery Gooey.
Whilst most locals can already attest to the joys of this lockdown sugar dealer turned full-blown bakery cafe, this weekend the word went global as the pop singer shared a video of herself raving about their treats with her 30+ million followers.
The artist, who was in Manchester on Saturday night to perform a show as part of her UK tour, posted a video to her Instagram channel announcing: “I’ve got the bag”.
Revealing the signature Gooey takeaway box, the About Damn Time and Good as Hell star held up her order to the camera: a box of Gooey’s crispy hash browns and a chunky tofu sandwich from the Northern Quarter cafe.
Captioning the video ‘Manchester got the good good,’ in the video Lizzo said: “This is why I love the UK because they’re hash browns are…ooof.”
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She then went on to say that UK hash browns were always “top tier, always crispy, never gloopy, always salty” before combining them into her sando to make it extra chunky.
Fans were quick to comment on the post, as well as Gooey who comented: “OMFG LIZZO THANK YOU ❤️”.
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One person said: “IM SORRY LIZZO ?!?! This is where I work. Why was I not rostered on today.”
Another joked: “Lizzo go Piccadilly gardens for a stroll x”
A third said: “Imagine just strolling round Manchester and Lizzo rocks up.”
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Gooey has gone from success to success in the past few years, and this endorsement from Lizzo is just the latest in a string of high points for the bakery team.
Tentatively launching the same month the country plunged into lockdown, no one knew just how much its salty-sweet treats would shape the course of our isolation.
Beginning life as a small pop-up in borrowed space, its bakers soon became Manchester’s go-to sugar dealers as the business pivoted into home delivery.
Two and a half years later, it’s already becoming a go-to in the city centre: drawing in big names like Guardian food critic Jay Rayner, and now Lizzo.
The hash browns at Gooey. / Image: The Manc Eats
Inside the Northern Quarter cafe. / Image: The Manc Eats
A Kewpie egg mayo sandwich on toasted Japanese Shokupan bread, a plump whole egg running through its middle, is a modest showstopper, as is a vegan-friendly wild mushroom toast on toasted chia brioche, smeared with a generous helping of roasted black garlic cashew cream.
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Other menu highlights include the char sui bbq glazed baby back rib sesame sub, panko-fried chicken katsu brioche, and the hefty bricks of ‘side portion’ halloumi, which come slathered in a (pleasantly spicy) chilli jam.
A full coffee menu is also available, alongside a list of fresh, cold-pressed juices in orange (carrot, ginger and orange), or green (cucumber, kale, pear and grape),
If that’s not doing it for you, you’ll also find ‘fancy schmancy’ iced strawberry, vanilla and matcha lattes, a caramelised white chocolate mocha, and cold-brewed green and white tea with added coconut, pineapple and hibiscus on the drinks menu.
As for those who like life’s simpler pleasures, rest assured you can also get a proper builder’s brew here.
Prices start from £3.20 for a Yorkshire breakfast tea and £4 for slabs of toasted brioche loaf served with a pot of seasonal jam.
Feature image – Lizzo TikTok
Manchester
A noughties fashion throwback is returning to Manchester and handing out freebies – including tattoos
Danny Jones
Beloved nineties and noughties clothing band Bench is at the beginning of a renaissance, and as they prepare to hand out free samples and even tattoos as part of their ‘Revival Collection’ sale, they’re returning to where it all started: Manchester.
Toasting the Y2K trends that have come back into style, the locally-founded label – started here in our city circa 1989 – is once again looking to make inroads and remind everyone why they were such a cult favourite name to begin with.
Preparing to reinstate its position in the Manc streetwear scene, Bench is set to make its comeback with a massive sample sale right here in Manchester, and there’s plenty of discounted stuff plus complimentary bits up for grabs.
We’re about to dance and dress like it’s 1999.
@bench.official Your first look at our AW25 Revival collection, available exclusively at Bench. Open House at the @Manchester Social this Thursday 6th November 👀 Shop samples old and new (yep, there’s even more available) for exclusive prices at our Manchester city centre sample sale event 💸 #samplesale#manchester♬ original sound – Bench Official
Spread across three whole floors, the ‘Bench Open House’ and Y2K Revival Collection will be on show at The Manchester Social tattoo studio.
Featuring timeless staples like oversized tees, vintage wash and classic turn-of-the-century style denim, big, baggy sweats and low-slung trousers re-designed for a new era.
Promising “extra goodies” from brands like Isovibe and Sunday Rain to the first 50 purchases on the day, you can expect plenty of familiar makes on show.
Being housed at Manchester Social too, the first 25 guests to book in will get a free flash tattoo on the night, courtesy of the studio’s talented fine-line artists; bookings can be made online or over the phone in advance for this directly.
And that’s no way near all there is on offer…
Those coming along can also enjoy retro gaming, nostalgic beats from live DJs supplying ’90s house party vibes, as well as cool photo ops, cocktails from Zubrowka (bison grass vodka brand), Baby Beer shots by Licor 43, plus non-alcoholic rum cocktails from Caleño. Immaculate energy all night long.
We’re personally loving how much late 1990s/early ’00s fashion is doing the rounds again. (Credit: Press shots)
Most importantly of all, the full proceeds from the sale will be donated to the native homeless charity Mustard Tree, which helps support people across the region.
Joanne Reidy, Head of Marketing at Bench’s parent group Apparel Brands, commented: “At Bench, Manchester isn’t just our home, it’s helped shape our identity.
“We’re proud that every sale from the Open House sample sale will go directly to Mustard Tree, supporting their vital work helping people across the city.”
Jack Barton, Head of Communications at the non-profit organisation, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to be the beneficiary of this event. Our mission is to combat poverty and prevent homelessness – it is down to the goodwill of our Greater Manchester partners who make this possible.
The Bench Open House and sample sale event takes place from 6-10pm at Manchester Social (9 South King Street, M2 6DG) this Thursday, 6 November. It’s completely free entry, but those looking to cop one of the selected designs can book in now.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Bench)
Manchester
Watch the heart-warming moment rescue cats and dogs are gifted cosy beds ahead of Bonfire Night
Daisy Jackson
Bonfire Night can be a cause for celebration – unless, that is, you’re a cat or a dog.
Fireworks are an unpopular subject among pet owners and can be a living nightmare for cats and dogs.
And that’s why Online Home Shop (OHS) decided to donate cosy beds to all the cats and dogs at Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter.
The popular online retailer took us along to meet some of the animals currently under the care of the shelter and waiting for their forever homes.
The rescue charity is dedicated to caring for the lost, stray and abandoned dogs and cats around Bolton, successfully rehoming around 450 animals a year.
Those staying here at the moment include French bulldog Betty, playful Staffie-cross Nala, and adorable doodle and spaniel duo Rocco and Ralph.
And that’s just the dogs – we also met the toothless gentleman Dodger, mischievous kitten trio Knox Lumos and Fawkes, and two-week-old siblings Lux and Faith.
Then upstairs in the mum and baby room, OHS handed a soft pet bed to Elvira and the tiny fluffball that is Ghost, her kitten.
All of them have ended up here because of situations totally out of their control, whether that’s the death of their owners or a change in circumstance.
Watch rescue cats and dogs being gifted presents for Bonfire Night:
Georgina Pellant -
13th March 2023 
