An Altrincham-based chef, who is proudly “made in Manchester”, is set to represent our region in the latest series of Great British Menu.
Ashwani Rangta is currently the executive chef at GupShup in Hale.
Originally hailing from Shimla in northern India and now a respected name in the Greater Manchester food scene, Ashwani was the chef in charge at the award-winning restaurant of the luxury ITC Gardenia hotel in Bangalore, and was headhunted to run much-loved Manchester city centre-based Indian restaurant, Asha’s, before assuming his role at GupShup in the affluent Trafford suburb.
He has won multiple food awards throughout his career, including City Restaurant of the Year 2017, Best Indian Restaurant in Manchester, and in 2018, he won Best in North West Asian Curry Awards at Asha’s.
Ashwani’s style of food is said to be pan-Asian with modern British influences.
ADVERTISEMENT
And he’s set to showcase this style of food as the smash-hit BBC show Great British Menu returns to our TV screens for its 16th series – which is tipped to be the most inventive one yet – next week.
Taking inspiration from early inventors in the world of computing – with 2021 marking the 30th anniversary of Sir Timothy Berners-Lee creating the world wide web – right through to modern-day medical pioneers and more, this series’ competing chefs will be demonstrating their culinary creativity through dishes that celebrate British innovation.
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMPGDs3Hkix/
There will be three episodes a week for the next eight weeks, covering each regional heat, and the chefs will have to prove their originality and technical flair to be in with the chance of serving their creations at thebanquet in the final.
In the North West heat, Ashwani will be up against Blackburn-born Kirk Haworth from Plates in London, Dan McGeorge from Rothay Manor in the Lake District, and Dave Critchley from Lu Ban in Liverpool.
Ashwani has described his time on the competition as an “exhilarating experience”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking on the return of Great British Menu, chef Rachel Khoo – who will join long-standing judges Matthew Fort and Oliver Peyton OBE on the judging panel this year, alongside a different guest judge each week – said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of judge at the Great British Menu.
“We have some extraordinary chefs in the UK and the programme does a great job of showcasing that homegrown talent.
“I’m so proud to be part of the series and I can’t wait for viewers to see what’s in store”.
___
Great British Menu returns to BBC Two on Wednesday 24th March at 8pm.
Food & Drink
The UK’s largest wine festival is returning to Manchester this autumn
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The UK’s biggest festival of wine will be coming back to Manchester this year, with more than 300 wines on offer plus plenty more.
The Laithwaites’ Wine Festival is returning up north, following the major success of last year.
As well as having hundreds of wines to showcase, the festival will also offer a chance to discover a selection of luxury spirits, plus join expert-led tastings, and visit artisan food stands, all under one roof.
As the UK’s longest-running wine tasting event, with 40 producers from 17 different countries, and artisan food all accompanied with carefully paired wines at each stall, it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing.
Struggling to think of a birthday present or ideas for how to celebrate with loved ones? Look no further – each ticket includes a tasting guide to help plan your route around the room and a complimentary tasting glass to sample over 300 different wines – trust me, they will love it.
As part of the Friday evening entertainment, guests can also expect a special appearance from wine presenter and communicator Tom Gilbey. Here, fans will be able to talk with Tom and sample the Signature Six case, which is a collection of wines approved by the man himself.
What’s more, is that this year, guests are invited to get creative at their brand new ‘design a wine label’ competition. You never know, maybe a few top-quality glasses of wine is the sweet spot for your drawing abilities to show themselves.
It is also possible to upgrade each ticket to gain access to expert-led masterclasses, with tutored tastings of sparkling wine, sherry and food, or cheese with wine. Fine Wine ticket holders will also be granted access to the Fine Wine Room and its rarer bottles.
Whether you spend ages aimlessly deliberating in a supermarket aisle, pick the cheapest bottle and call it a day, or you can smell the bottle and tell me the exact province it is from – this event welcomes all wine-drinkers, no matter the level of expertise.
The festival will be hosted at Manchester Central, starting with an evening session (6pm to 9pm) on Friday 20 November, as well as a lunchtime (12pm-3pm) and evening session (5pm to 8pm), on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Tickets are on sale now, starting at £40 per session. Click HERE to grab yours now.
Award-winning Manchester cocktail bar Red Light announces surprise return in new location
Daisy Jackson
Red Light, an award-winning cocktail bar that closed its doors earlier this year, has announced it’s making a grand return.
The celebrated watering hole had been at Kampus in the city centre for three years before it closed for good in August.
But now, in news that will thrill a lot of us in Manchester, the bar has announced it’s returning, with plenty of new ’surprises’ to come.
Announcing Red Light 2.0 this evening, they revealed a brand-new location, with all the cocktails we all loved before, plus a new bar snack offering.
Also new with its reopening will be a dedicated clubbing space (operating in a residential area was one of the reasons Red Light closed at Kampus) and the return of its legendary street parties.
They said: “Your love and support has meant the absolute world to us since we closed the doors to our Kampus venue.
“It’s been a tricky secret to keep but we’re thrilled to share that we’re back and in a brand new location!
“This one feels special, it’s not often you get a second chance at things in the current climate.”
They added: “We can’t wait to welcome you with open arms. Red Light NQ. LETS GO BABY!”
Although they’ve not announced the location, they have teased some pictures – and unless we’re very much mistaken, they’ll be moving into Tariff Street, in the old El Capo site.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2021 
