If you love a good curry, but can never quite seem to recreate that restaurant standard when you’re cooking up a storm at home, look no further – because Manchester’s legendary Indian restaurant Zouk Tea Bar is here to show you all the tricks of the trade.
The award-winning Manchester curry house is famous for its high-quality dishes, and proudly shows off its chefs through its Manchester restaurant’s semi-open kitchen.
Found just off Oxford Road, at Zouk diners can watch the chefs hard at work – making fluffy, fresh naans in the tandoor oven and simmering aromatic curries on the industrial-size stoves – from the restaurant floor.
But for those really eager foodies, Zouk is now breaking down that fourth wall and inviting diners into the kitchen to learn tips and tricks from the curry masters themselves.
Video: Zouk Tea Bar
Diners can opt to don their own aprons and take a spin in the kitchen themselves, learning how to cook popular British curry house favourites like chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh from the masters themselves.
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And that’s not all, you’ll also get to grips with how to make onion bhajis, chicken tikka and seekh kebabs from scratch – just as it’s done in the restaurant.
There are also vegetarian and vegan course alternatives available for those who want to learn but don’t eat meat.
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Zouk’s curry school gives die-hard curry fans the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite dishes, with the kitchen’s best chefs on hand to skill you in you how to properly prepare a selection of different Indian starters and mains.
Starting at 10am and finishing at 1.30pm, all courses run for half a day – and in that time you’ll be initiated into the world of Indian cooking, learning how best to prepare your spice mixes and simmer down dishes for the perfect consistency.
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Taking place on 18 June, more information and tickets for the British Favourites cookery class can be found on Zouk’s website here.
Feature image – Zouk Tea Bar
Manchester
Manchester parks are hosting loads of FREE Halloween-themed activities this month
Emily Sergeant
Parks across Manchester are set to host loads of Halloween-themed activities this month.
With October half term right around the corner and Halloween not far off either, it won’t be long before parents and carers are looking for ways to keep little Mancs occupied… luckily, Manchester City Council has unveiled a programme of free ‘spooktacular’ activities that’ll be happening at parks across the borough this month.
Manchester’s parks will ‘come alive’ this October half-term with a packed programme community-focussed free activities for children – including a range of lantern making workshops delivered by the parks’ teams.
There will also be pumpkin carving throughout the week, with everything provided to create a suitably scary masterpiece to take home, as well ‘Hidden Horror’ trails across 13 parks with lots of spooky characters to be discovered.
Other highlights included guided walks, cycling along the Yellow Brick Road in Debdale Park, helping to create a giant haunted house using recycled materials at Alexandra Park, and a Halloween Party at Grounded Cafe in Cringle Park.
Manchester parks are hosting loads of free Halloween-themed activities this October half term/ Credit: Max Burchill | Pierre Bouyer (via Unsplash)
And fireworks won’t be the only attraction on Bonfire Night either.
Activities on the day begin from 3pm with the chance for little ones to enjoy magical storytelling experiences from Z Arts, with hands-on crafting inspired by the story.
Dazzling fire performers will light up the event with a mesmerising display of flames, fiery choreography, and captivating skills, and the Lantern Parade prior to the main fireworks display is not to be missed.
Don’t forget to stop off at the retro funfairs, and the food and drink village for some seasonal treats to enjoy on the night.
Find out everything happening in Manchester this October half term and Halloween HERE.
Featured Image – Pierre Bouyer (via Unsplash)
Manchester
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Georgina Pellant -
31st May 2022 
