Stockport restaurants and residents have joined forces to help feed some the community’s most vulnerable people for free next week.
After expressing dismay at the current political climate – said to be with respects to the “unacceptable” £30 free school meal hampers provided to some children learning from home this week that have gone viral on social media – and believing that “no person should go hungry”, Ate Days A Week – a “new and inventive musical-themed” sandwich and pie restaurant, with a branch in Stockport and a pop-up unit at street food venue Hatch in Manchester city centre – has teamed up with independent cocktail business Cherry Jam Stockport and the Vara family to “offer free meals to anyone who needs it”.
Next Wednesday 20th January from 12pm, the collective has vowed to “dish out free meal bundles” for 150 people from across the community on a first come first served basis – and it’s not just next Wednesday either.
150 meals will be distributed for free every Wednesday “throughout the duration of lockdown”.
Spreading word of their intent to feed, Ate Days A Week took to social media with a post that read: “Just think of all those hungry mouths we have to feed, take a look at all the suffering we breed, so many lonely faces scattered all around, searching for what they need,”
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Ate Days A WeekAte Days A Week
It continued: “We want to do something – we can’t count on the elected powers that be to look after us, so we’ll look after anyone we can.”
“No questions asked – any age, any colour, any creed, any walk of life is welcome.”
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According to the social media post, those claiming one of the 150 free food bundles from next week can expect to took into a freshly-prepared hot meal, which will consist of either a Hotpot from Cherry Jam, or Vegetable Curry & Rice from The Vara’s.
And along that, they will get some fresh fruit and a roast chicken sandwich from Ate Days A Week.
All meals will be served at Ate Days A Week from 12pm on Wednesday 20th January, and every Wednesday after that until England’s third national lockdown amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic comes to an end.
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You can find more information about the initiative here.
Ate Days A Week, 8 Vernon Street, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK1 1TY.
Eats
Sacha Lord slams ‘very bad advice’ from Gordon Ramsay about table reservations
Daisy Jackson
Sacha Lord has fired back at Gordon Ramsay after the celebrity chef suggested a hack for people booking tables at this time of year.
Greater Manchester’s Nighttime Economy Advisor, and former Parklife and Warehouse Project boss, said that Gordon’s comments are ‘very bad advice’.
The renowned chef had reportedly said in an interview that couples should book a table for three, to give themselves more room.
But Sacha Lord has said this sort of loophole is ‘a real kick in the teeth for the business’.
He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Just read an interview with Gordon Ramsey advising couples to book a table for 3 to give them more space.
“COMPLETELY DISAGREE and very bad advice. If a restaurant is expecting 3 and only 2 turn up, that’s a real kick in the teeth for the business.
“Surprised from a chef I respect.”
Just read an interview with Gordon Ramsey advising couples to book a table for 3 to give them more space.
COMPLETELY DISAGREE and very bad advice.
If a restaurant is expecting 3 and only 2 turn up, that’s a real kick in the teeth for the business.
His post has generated a fair bit of reaction already, with one person replying: “Ridiculous advice! Loss of a table for 4 ! Empty tables for 2! Over ordered and over staffed, this stupidly from someone who should know better must corrected. Every customer counts in this day and age.”
Someone else wrote: “The amount of people booking 2 venues this year and cancelling is on the increase too!! We are now taking deposits for groups over 6 to try and eliminate this! When space is an issue booking more than you need is not fair on the venues!!”
Another commented: “A table of 3 is actually sat on a table for four. So you’re denying the business of 50% of its potential turnover. Do not do this.”
Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser to Greater Manchester.
CREDIT – Darren Robinson Photography
Petit Paris, a charming deli and wine bar in Manchester, announces sudden closure
Daisy Jackson
Petit Paris, a lovely little wine bar and deli in the heart of Manchester, has announced its shock closure.
The cosy spot on King Street shared the news ‘with big sadness’ over the weekend, writing: “Petit Paris, c’est fini”.
The French deli was loved for its incredible selection of wines, as well as its huge cheese boards and sandwiches you could order.
In summer, it had plenty of seating outside on the beautiful cobbled King Street where you could sit and people-watch with a glass of rose in hand.
Petit Paris wrote in a statement shared on Instagram: “Brexit and current climate for independent businesses didn’t encourage us to continue the adventure.”
The local business is still up for a Manchester Food and Drink Award, where it’s nominated for Food and Drink Retailer of the Year.
Petit Paris’s full statement reads: “Petit Paris c’est fini….
Inside the Petit Paris French deli in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupPetit Paris in Manchester was a prime people-watching spot. Credit: The Manc GroupOysters and wine at Petit Paris. Credit: The Manc Group
“It is with big sadness that we have to announce the closure of our lovely deli in Manchester. It’s been 2 incredible years and we our grateful for all the support our customer showed us and our amazing staff that worked hard everyday!
“Thank you to all local social media that provide us great visibility and put us with the best in town.
“Brexit and current climate for independent businesses didn’t encourage us to continue the adventure.
“If you want to support one more time go on and vote for us at the Manchester food & drink festival for 2024.
“Please keep supporting small independent businesses! Merci.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th January 2021 
