News

This Manchester restaurant is serving chicken katsu hanging kebabs all month

Available for a limited time only, you'll need to be quick to get your hands on one of these

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 4th August 2022

Manchester restaurant The Botanist has released a new version of its cult-favourite hanging kebabs – and we think you’re going to want to get involved.

The famous dish has been made even more enticing with crispy panko-crusted chicken pieces stacked on a sizable skewer with peppers, onions and a sprinkling of herbs, as the kitchen puts a Japanese-inspired twist on its most popular menu item.

And of course, the whole thing is finished off with a dish of Japanese curry sauce to drip down the top and a bowl of chips underneath to catch anything that might otherwise go astray.

Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied

The brand reportedly sells three of its hanging kebabs every minute, adding up to roughly 650,000 every year.

Fans online have already reacted euphorically after it posted a sneak peek on its socials earlier this week, leading bosses to warn people they’ll need to be quick if they want to get their hands on one this month.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Botanist has launched limited-edition versions of the dish previously, but until now these have been one-offs on key dates – most recently, the hanging pancake kebab, released specially for Shrove Tuesday.

Read more: Spinningfields has a new ‘comfort food’ canteen – and every dish is under £10

ADVERTISEMENT

Guy Greaves, Development Chef at The Botanist said, “The response we get to our signature hanging kebabs is amazing – it’s become something of a cult favourite.

“There are fans out there returning to us week after week to get their fix.  

“We wanted to mix things up a little and get creative with our hanging kebab menu and katsu curry is a crowd-pleasing flavour.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We’re looking forward to seeing how it goes down with our guests.” 

Hanging kebab menu mainstays at The Botanist include chicken and chorizo with smoked paprika oil, salt and pepper pork belly with bang bang sauce, lamb kofta with harissa jam and garlic oil, and a vegan meatball with marinara sauce. 

Read more: Frankie’s has opened a Breville toastie stall inside the Arndale Market

The Botanist will serve the limited-edition chicken katsu version of the beloved dish across its Manchester site throughout August whilst stocks last.

Feature image – Supplied

News

Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Man who stabbed beloved gran Michelle Hodgkinson to death sentenced to hospital order

The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.

Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.

He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.

On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.

Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.

She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.

The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.

The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.

Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.  

Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.

Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.

“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.

In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.

“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.

“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.

“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.

“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!

“Love you forever and always!”

Read more

Featured image: GMP

News

10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.

The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.

Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.

As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.

On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.

With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.

Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.

Read more:

“On occasions when enforcement is needed, those who are intent on causing harm will have to answer for their actions.”

Featured Image – GMP

More News

Christmas

Manchester set for its busiest weekend of the year with pop-up Park and Rides to open

Crime

Body found in search for missing Stockport postman Steven Caulfield

New Stockport 8 neighbourhood planning permission

News

Plans submitted for new £250 million mixed residential neighbourhood in Stockport

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches