Bury is famous for its historic market, home to everything from roast carvery sandwich spots to cake stands and the original Katsouris Deli, but venture five minutes down the road and you’ll find another interesting local gem.
Called Rawkies, this adorable family-run dessert cafe is the brainchild of husband and wife team Adam Greenwood and Sophie Bussey – and it’s offering something completely new to Mancs with a sweet tooth.
The first cafe of its kind in the north to sell edible, raw cookie dough, Rawkies specialises in cookies with a unique twist and has a host of different edible raw cookie dough flavours – spanning Birthday Cake, Chocolate Chip and Nutella, Honeycomb, Rainbow, Eton Mess, Fudge, and Vegan Salted Caramel Brownie.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
These can be ordered either as a ‘Classic Rawkie’ – mix-and-match scoops of raw cookie dough topped with various goodies like chocolate strands, whipped cream and sugary-sweet drizzles of sauce – or as something more substantial.
Other options see it stuffed into ice cream sundaes, atop pancakes, inside frozen cheesecakes, boozy (and regular) milkshakes, and even appear as an ‘egg and soldiers’ style combo with the addition of Kinder Milk Bars, white chocolate and caramel sauce.
Our favourite option, however, proved to be the ice cream breakfast bowls. Created as a nod to Northern Quarter dessert cafe Black Milk Cereal, which is run by a friend of Adam and Sophie’s, these swap cereal milk with soft serve ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
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With cereal choices spanning American favourites like Honey Hoops, Marshmallow Mateys, Cookie Crunch, Choco Snaps and Frosted Flakes, plus extra toppings like chocolate strands, saucy drizzles and flavoured crumbs, you can guarantee you will be leaving on a sugar high at the end of your visit.
Elsewhere, the cafe also offers a selection of hot drinks and bar snacks, dessert cocktails, coffees, lagers and ciders, with a second menu of sandwiches and sides, and even a raw cookie dough afternoon tea for two that requires a 24-hour booking notice period.
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A charming little spot for a sugary pick-me-up, Rawkies is located in The Rock and opens from 12.30-10pm Tuesday to Thursday and 12.30-11pm Fridays and Saturdays. It is also available on Deliveroo.
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Indie food and drink festival to return to popular Greater Manchester town for second year
Emily Sergeant
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
Georgina Pellant -
19th May 2023 
