Eats

There’s a bakery in Manchester where you can decorate your own adorable tiny bento cake

This is such a wholesome thing to do.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th March 2025

We’ve found a wholesome activity that’ll suit even the most cack-handed of bakers – a workshop where you can decorate your own miniature bento cake.

This Manchester activity has shot to the top of our list of our favourite things to do locally, perfect for a hen do, a birthday, a mate date or a date date.

Bento cakes, or lunchbox cakes, have all the elaborate decorations of a full celebration cake but made miniature, for a treat that doesn’t have to be shared out to dozens of people.

From swirls of buttercream frosting to pretty piped love hearts to cursive writing atop your cake, there are loads of decorations you can add to your own creation.

At Vanilla Ice Cakes in Chorlton, you’ll sit under the expert eye of owner Fiza, a master baker who’s been in the game for more than a decade.

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She’ll guide you (and sometimes step in to help you) as you fumble your way through decorating your own cake.

As you arrive for your workshop you’re presented with two adorable vanilla sponge cakes, a classic base for a proper Victoria sponge or a more elaborate celebration cake.

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Other cakes at Vanilla Ice Cakes
Other cakes at Vanilla Ice Cakes
You can mix up your own buttercream icing
You can mix up your own buttercream icing
Master baker Fiza at work at the bento cake workshop
Master baker Fiza at work at the bento cake workshop
The bento cake workshop space in Manchester
The bento cake workshop space in Manchester
One of our creations at the bento cake workshop in Chorlton, Manchester
One of our creations at the bento cake workshop in Chorlton, Manchester

Each class includes hot drinks, plus a plate full of Vanilla Ice Cakes’ delicious brownie bites.

From here, you’re taught the basics of piping, building a buttercream ‘dam’ before spooning in a filling of choice – jam, Nutella or Lotus Biscoff.

After applying a crumb coat (Great British Bake Off fans will already be on the right page here), the real fun begins.

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Fiza will help you to whip up a smooth buttercream in whichever colour you wish, before letting you run riot with a piping bag.

You’ll practice swirls, rosettes, hearts, and even writing in icing ahead of decorating your actual cake.

You can see how we got on below, then book your own spot HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

This new app tells you the best sunny pub spots in Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A brand new app has launched, which tracks the sun and tells you where the best sunny pub spots in Manchester are throughout the day.

No, you’re not dreaming: this is what heaven feels like. This all-new app, initially trialled in London and now covering Manchester, allows users to identify the best sun traps in our stunning city centre.

Designed and created by architect Mo Dawod, Sunseekr aims to show you the best pub, cafe and restaurant locations where you can take advantage of and soak up all the sun in real time.

As well as being a handy tool to use throughout the day, you can use this sun-centric app to pre-plan your day, as it lets you know all the sunny spots in advance for anyone who fancies chasing the sun.

The app shows you the best pubs, cafes and restaurants to catch some rays.
The app shows you the best pubs, cafes and restaurants to catch some rays.
You can easily chase the sun around Manchester city centre with this handy new app.
You can easily chase the sun around Manchester city centre with this handy new app.
Credit: Screenshots via Sunseeker

Of course, we don’t need an app to tell us all the best sunny pub spots in Manchester as locals and visitors alike know about our pride and joy, Stevenson Square.

However, this new technology will come in handy for organising your next beer garden trip and locating exactly where you’re guaranteed to sit down and possibly catch a tan.

Sunseekr had a trial run in London first, catching the attention of reputable publications like Timeout London and even got itself featured on BBC London.

It makes perfect sense why Dawod made this app; being a Battersea resident, his area of London is packed with plenty of amenities such as pubs and bars, perfect for sitting out and relaxing in the sun.

Now the sunny app has spread nationwide, including Manchester, meaning we Northerners can make the most of the precious sun while we have it.

Safe to say here at The Manc we know a lot of good places to soak up the sun while sipping on a class pint.
Safe to say, here at The Manc, we know a lot of good places to soak up the sun while sipping on a class pint.
Nothing beats a crisp pint and some gorgeous Manchester sunshine.
Nothing beats a crisp pint and some gorgeous Manchester sunshine.
Credit: The Manc Eats

The arrival of this sun-tracking pub-spotting app gives us the perfect excuse to drop everything and make our way to the nearest beer garden to put this to the test ourselves, it’s not like we needed any encouragement…

Sunseekr is available to download NOW and allows users to live-track the sun to see if any pubs, cafes or restaurants near you have been blessed by the sun.

We’re in the business of knowing about beer gardens galore, so this long-overdue app just made our lives a whole lot easier.

Catch you at the pub!

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

Stunning Ancoats favourite Street Urchin closes after ‘heartbreaking’ health emergency

Danny Jones Danny Jones Street Urchin Manchester closed

The stunning Ancoats restaurant and Manchester favourite, Street Urchin, has announced its sudden closure following a serious health emergency.

Opened by partners Kevin and Rachel Choudhary back in 2019, the inventive dining room has been a firm favourite among local foodies and those visiting Manchester for some time.

However, following the awful news that co-founder and head chef Kevin has recently suffered a heart attack, the city centre food spot has sadly had to close its doors, seemingly for good.

Informing diners and longtime fans online, Rachel confirmed, “We are unable to continue as a business”, adding that they are simply “heartbroken” by the turns of events.

Known for endless creativity and famous experimental dishes over the years, including a viral squirrel dish, Street Urchin has been one of the most envelope-pushing kitchens in the area for some time.

Writing in the caption, Rachel said: Thank you to our amazing team who supported us over all the years and continued to do so in these dark times. Thank you also to our suppliers, we never thought this would happen. We’re so sorry x”

Reacting to the news, local artist Painted By Courtney replied: “This is so sad, I’m so sorry to you both. Forever one of my favourite dining experiences in Manchester.”

Various names from across the Greater Manchester hospitality scene, including the likes of Tameside’s Cafe Continental, have joined in sharing their sadness and heartfelt support, with the Stalybridge spot simply adding: “Sending love. A remarkable place!”

We can only echo their sentiments.

Credit: The Manc Eats

Their menus boasted all the style, quality and flavour of a fine dining establishment without any of the haute cuisine pomp and traditional culinary trappings.

Put simply, they delivered great food served in an efficient market diner fashion. We, along with countless other Greater Mancunian foodies, absolutely loved this place.

This later closure comes not long after nearby Northern Quarter venue 63 Degrees also had to close its doors due to a family health emergency. Just awful.

It goes without saying that everyone at The Manc Group is shocked and deeply saddened to hear this news; we hope Kev makes a full and fast recovery, and our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

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