American pop star Lizzo caused huge excitement over the weekend amongst Manchester foodies after posting a video of herself enthusing over goodies from Manchester bakery Gooey.
Whilst most locals can already attest to the joys of this lockdown sugar dealer turned full-blown bakery cafe, this weekend the word went global as the pop singer shared a video of herself raving about their treats with her 30+ million followers.
The artist, who was in Manchester on Saturday night to perform a show as part of her UK tour, posted a video to her Instagram channel announcing: “I’ve got the bag”.
Revealing the signature Gooey takeaway box, the About Damn Time and Good as Hell star held up her order to the camera: a box of Gooey’s crispy hash browns and a chunky tofu sandwich from the Northern Quarter cafe.
Captioning the video ‘Manchester got the good good,’ in the video Lizzo said: “This is why I love the UK because they’re hash browns are…ooof.”
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She then went on to say that UK hash browns were always “top tier, always crispy, never gloopy, always salty” before combining them into her sando to make it extra chunky.
Fans were quick to comment on the post, as well as Gooey who comented: “OMFG LIZZO THANK YOU ❤️”.
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One person said: “IM SORRY LIZZO ?!?! This is where I work. Why was I not rostered on today.”
Another joked: “Lizzo go Piccadilly gardens for a stroll x”
A third said: “Imagine just strolling round Manchester and Lizzo rocks up.”
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Gooey has gone from success to success in the past few years, and this endorsement from Lizzo is just the latest in a string of high points for the bakery team.
Tentatively launching the same month the country plunged into lockdown, no one knew just how much its salty-sweet treats would shape the course of our isolation.
Beginning life as a small pop-up in borrowed space, its bakers soon became Manchester’s go-to sugar dealers as the business pivoted into home delivery.
Two and a half years later, it’s already becoming a go-to in the city centre: drawing in big names like Guardian food critic Jay Rayner, and now Lizzo.
The hash browns at Gooey. / Image: The Manc Eats
Inside the Northern Quarter cafe. / Image: The Manc Eats
A Kewpie egg mayo sandwich on toasted Japanese Shokupan bread, a plump whole egg running through its middle, is a modest showstopper, as is a vegan-friendly wild mushroom toast on toasted chia brioche, smeared with a generous helping of roasted black garlic cashew cream.
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Other menu highlights include the char sui bbq glazed baby back rib sesame sub, panko-fried chicken katsu brioche, and the hefty bricks of ‘side portion’ halloumi, which come slathered in a (pleasantly spicy) chilli jam.
A full coffee menu is also available, alongside a list of fresh, cold-pressed juices in orange (carrot, ginger and orange), or green (cucumber, kale, pear and grape),
If that’s not doing it for you, you’ll also find ‘fancy schmancy’ iced strawberry, vanilla and matcha lattes, a caramelised white chocolate mocha, and cold-brewed green and white tea with added coconut, pineapple and hibiscus on the drinks menu.
As for those who like life’s simpler pleasures, rest assured you can also get a proper builder’s brew here.
Prices start from £3.20 for a Yorkshire breakfast tea and £4 for slabs of toasted brioche loaf served with a pot of seasonal jam.
Feature image – Lizzo TikTok
Manchester
You can watch The Traitors finale on a big screen in Manchester next week
Emily Sergeant
The finale of The Traitors is hitting our TV screens next week, and there’s a big screening party happening in Manchester especially for it.
Fancy sitting down to watch one of the cultural events of the year on a big screen with dozens of others who are just as invested in the show as you are? Well, now you can.
The third series of hit BBC reality competition show, The Traitors, has undeniably captured the attentions of the nation yet again since it first aired on New Year’s Day, and viewers have been tuning in in their millions to watch the three episodes each week ever since, as well as taking to social media to share their thoughts and weigh in on every little twist and turn.
But if you’re keen to watch the finale surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of fans, then one of Manchester’s newest social venues is giving you the chance to do just that.
Back by popular demand after last year’s event at the neighbouring GRUB, Fairfield Social Club, just outside the city centre, is hosting its very-own The Traitors Finale Screening Party next Friday.
It’s hosted by viral internet sensations – and The Traitors fans – Sam O’Leary and Tom Lawrinson.
Kicking off from 7pm, this themed event will feature sketches, prizes, and loads of Traitors-inspired fun, all before watching the final on a big screen so you can see the drama unfold right as it happens.
You can watch The Traitors finale on a big screen in Manchester next week / Credit: BBC | Supplied
If all of that wasn’t brilliant enough as it is, there’ll be even free drinks on offer for anyone who comes dressed in a cloak, or with a solid Claudia Winkleman-esque fringe.
Fancy dress is optional, but who can say no to a free drink?
The Traitors Finale Screening Party is happening down at Fairfield Social Club next Friday 24 January from 7pm, and tickets are now on sale for £15.
Manchester may finally get a lido as part of plans for a new ‘woodland town’
Daisy Jackson
A lido may be on the way to Manchester for the first time in decades, as part of major plans to regenerate Holt Town.
The area just beyond Ancoats and New Islington could be transformed into a ‘woodland town’, with thousands of new homes and high quality green spaces.
The new town would ‘bridge the gap’ between the bustling city centre and major cultural venues like Co-op Live, the Etihad Stadium, and all the other facilities at SportCity and the Etihad Campus.
If it all goes ahead as planned, Holt Town will be home to a lido – something that’s been on a lot of Manchester wishlists for decades.
Plans include building around 4,500 new homes- including at least 20% genuinely affordable properties, family housing, apartments and age-friendly homes.
It’ll all incorporate high quality green spaces surrounding a 1km play street spine, provision of new local services, cultural opportunities, and significant affordable workspace, plus a focus on green travel rather than car use.
Around 15 acres of green space would be created, enhancing Holt Town’s proximity to the canals and rivers.
How Holt Town could look after its regeneration. Credit: SuppliedHolt Town’s regeneration plans include a lido for ManchesterHolt Town will be built along the canals and rivers near ManchesterThe new ‘woodland town’ will be built along the canal
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the ambitious Holt Town plans at a committee meeting next week (22 January), following positive feedback public consultation last year, where 10,000 people viewed the plans and 411 formal responses showed strong support.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester.
“We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people – with at least 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing options.
“This neigbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services.
“Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.”
Georgina Pellant -
13th March 2023 
