Any self-respecting fan of a good portion of salt and pepper chips should know that we have our neighbours in Liverpool to thank.
First originating there in the 90s, the Chinese-Scouse chippy hybrid has become something of a northern takeaway staple and most places in Manchester offer it as par for the course.
But now, this week, a group of Scouse cooks has moved into the Sadler’s Cat pub to show us how it’s really done – with a menu that offers up salt and pepper chickn dumplings, salt and pepper hash browns, and, naturally, huge trays of salt and pepper chips.
Did we mention that it’s all vegan? Because it is.
Image: Desert Island Dumplins
Specialising in fusion dumplings, Desert Island Dumplings has previously popped up at the likes of Grub so eager street food fans may already have them on their radar.
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The menu at The Sadler’s Cat pub, served from 4pm in the week and 12pm on the weekend, offers a selection of different dumplings along with sides like drunk Teriyaki noodles, salt and pepper hash browns or chips, as well as chips, cheeze, and gravy.
Dumpling flavours are far from traditional, with choices spanning the likes of smoky cheez pizza, hoisin mock duck, cheezeburger, lobster and salt and pepper chickn.
The menu also includes a regularly-changing dumpling ‘flavour of the week’, as well as two sweet pudding options in lemon drizzle and Lotus banoffee, both served with a sweet dip.
Prices start at £7.50 for 5 of one flavour, or £8.50 for 5 mix and match dumplings. Sides, meanwhile, start from just £3 for a portion of chips up to £5 for a portion of drunken noodles.
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Alternatively, if you’re in a big group you can opt for a sharer box, priced from £22 for 10 dumplings, salt and pepper chips and drunk Teriyaki noodles, or £32 for 25 dumplings, salt and pepper chips, noodles and hash browns.
Image: The Sadler’s Cat
Formerly known as The Pilcrow, The Sadler’s Cat changed hands last year after it was sold by the Common Group to Manchester’s Cloudwater Brewery.
It is the first proper pub for the brewery, which also has a taproom at the Piccadilly Trading Estate and is planning to open a new beer hall in the city centre waterside neighbourhood Kampus later this year.
Head down for your alternative dumpling fix and wash it all down with a range of locally-sourced beers from Cloudwater and other Manchester breweries, or if that doesn’t do it for you, choose from the pub’s selection of natural wine, spirits and softs.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Georgina Pellant -
13th May 2022 
