Karen’s Diner, the Manchester restaurant that prides itself on having deliberately rude service, has announced an event with controversial character Katie Hopkins.
The outspoken far-right columnist is going to be at the restaurant for her ‘Katie’s Batsh*t Bonkers Britain’ show.
It’s all ahead of her Silly Cow Tour, which will take her to a select few venues around the UK who’ll have her (you can buy tickets to see her at The Monaco in Wigan if you hate yourself).
The Prestwich branch of Karen’s Diner, the immersive dining experience manned by unpleasant staff who will shout, swear, and call you names, warned that the event is ‘not for the easily-offended’.
Although given that Katie Hopkins has previously compared to refugees to cockroaches, slammed full-time parents, and just been generally incredibly racist, ‘easily-offended’ might be a bit unfair…
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But this divisive figure – the ultimate Karen, if you will – will be the star of the show at Karen’s Diner in March.
Tickets to the event will include Katie’s performance, plus the usual Karen’s Diner entertainment and a burger meal.
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Sharing news of the Katie Hopkins event, Karen’s Diner wrote: “A bit like our Karens, she’s divisive, opinionated, brash, offensive… all the qualities we look up to.”
The event page says: “Ahead of her ‘Silly Cow Tour’, Katie Hopkins takes over Karen’s Diner for an evening of madness with Katie and our Karens. This is a pairing not for the faint-hearted or easily offended.
“Your ticket will include a table for ‘Katie’s Batsh*t Bonkers Britain’ show, some infamous Karen’s entertainment AND we’ll even throw in a burger meal too!”
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Karen’s Diner has faced a fair bit of backlash for booking the star, with one person writing: “No!!! You’re really letting the place go downhill.”
Another said: “Scraping bottom of barrel springs to mind.”
And one person wrote: “Can’t wait to see how this one goes.”
A fair few are excited to have her in town though – one person said they ‘absolutely love Katie’ while another said was a ‘definite yes’.
And someone else just joked that they should give Putin a job as a pot washer next.
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Tickets for Katie Hopkins at Karen’s Diner are available here.
V.Goode Pies – Michelin-recommended Manchester restaurant launches new pie shop
Daisy Jackson
A new pie shop has opened in Manchester today – and it comes from the same team behind a Michelin-recommended restaurant.
Chefs Shaun Moffat (of Winsome fame) and Sam Grainger (Madre, Belzan, Doug’s and loads more) have joined forces for V.Goode Pies.
The Oxford Road pie shop promises to serve ‘the kind of pies Manchester’s been waiting for’ that won’t cost the earth.
Shaun and Sam dreamed up the idea following the success of the pie offering at Winsome, which are a highlight of its proudly British menu.
Now open on Oxford Road, you’ll find four core individual pies as well as breakfast pies.
Expect classic flavours like cheese and onion, and meat and potato, but also less common creations like a lasagne pie and a breakfast pie too.
There’ll be the option to have your pie served in a barm, Wigan kebab-style, or have it as it comes after a hefty dunk in a vat of gravy.
Pie dinner trays at V.Goode PiesInside the breakfast pie and the lasagne pie at V.Goode PiesA pie barm at V.Goode PiesShaun Moffat and Sam GraingerTraditional British piesThe full spreadInside V.Goode PiesCredit: The Manc Group
You can also have it served on a classic dinner tray, with mash and mushy peas on the side.
As well as traditional fillings, V. Goode Pies will have more out-there bakes like a lasagne pie, where layers of pasta are packed into a pie crust.
You can also expect rotating specials and collaborations.
V.Goode Pies – or, to use its government name, Valerie Goode’s Pies – is inspired by co-founder Tom Fastiggi’s dinner lady grandmother and pie connoisseur.
V.Goode Pies will take over the old Loaf store on Oxford Road and is set to open on 18 November, with a pop-up also planned at Freight Island this winter.
The pie shop will be open Monday to Saturday, from 8am until they sell out.
Tesco unveils Britain’s favourite Christmas meal deal – is yours on here?
Thomas Melia
Supermarket giant Tesco has announced brand-new data revealing Britain’s favourite Christmas meal deals.
But has yours made the cut?
Of course, Christmas is famed for its food, especially the Christmas dinner, but nowadays, the days leading up to the big day have also become filled with foodie feasts, and nothing proves this more than the popularity of the Christmas meal deal – something which Tesco, arguably, knows how to do better than anyone else.
Tesco has been actively tracking the nation’s everyday eating trends all year long, and now that the festive season’s here, shoppers favourite Christmas meal deals have been announced.
It seems meal deal lovers are eager to get into the Christmas spirit, with the best-selling main being the Tesco Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich.
Tesco has unveiled Britain’s favourite festive meal deal / Credit: Tesco plc | The Manc Group
This roast dinner-inspiredbutty has been purchased over 2.5 million times between October and December 2024, and it was so popular, in fact, that it was chosen almost three times as often as this year’s runner up – Tesco Jingle Brie Sandwich.
To pair with this much-loved sandwich is the classic Mccoy’s Flame Grilled Steak Crisps, which are championing the snack category overtaking last year’s champion, Egg Protein Pot, which finished third this year.
And if you’re wondering what beverage Brits are pairing with their lunchtime combinations, it’s none other than Coca-Cola 500ml.
This will come as no surprise to any avid meal deal fans, as this drink has worn the crown as the nation’s favourite drink, not just during Christmas but the whole of 2024 itself.
Tesco top 10 festive meal deal mains (October – December 2024)
1.
Tesco Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich
2.
Tesco Jingle Brie Sandwich
3.
Tesco Yuletide Half ‘N’ Half Sandwich
4.
Tesco Christmas Wrapped Up
5.
Tesco Festive Chicken & Trimmings Sub
6.
Tesco Ho-Ho-Hog Wrap
7.
The Gym Kitchen Chicken Bacon & Stuffing Sandwich
8.
Tesco Cracking Currywurst Sub
9.
Tesco Finest Festive Chicken & Bacon with Gravy Mayonnaise Dip
“Turkey isn’t just for the big day, our customers love bringing festive flavours to their lunchtimes even as early as October,” commented Sarah Bryer, who is the Product Development Manager for Tesco Meal Deal.
“With the crowd-pleasing Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich back again, this year’s line-up of Meal Deal mains has something to suit both traditionalists and those looking for something new with the addition of our Honey Ham, Red Leicester and Festive Chutney Sandwich, Finest Brie and Bacon Brioche Bagel, and Tesco Plant Chef Festive Feast Wrap.“
Daisy Jackson -
10th February 2024 
