If you’re looking to get stuck into something a little different to kick off October Half Term, then this cookery school in Didsbury has got you covered.
Food Sorcery is hosting its “foodiest weekend ever” this Saturday and Sunday.
If you’re unfamiliar with what Food Sorcery is all about, then down at the school, they host a range of classes – run by a team of professional chefs, all with their own specialist areas of expertise – to give you the opportunity to learn how to create your own restaurant-quality food from scratch at home.
Under the guidance of Food Sorcery’s professionals, you can try your hand at a whole host of cuisines, with everything from Japanese and Sri Lankan, to Thai, Italian and French on the menu.
All classes there are designed to be just as fun as they are informative.
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But what exactly makes this Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October the cookery school’s “foodiest weekend ever” then? Well, that’s because its playing host to Food Sorcery’s most diverse set of classes yet, with the broadest range of ingredients than ever before.
If you were to travel to all the destinations from around the world that are on this weekend’s cooking agenda, then it would tally up to being over 25,000 miles – not bad for two days in the kitchen, right?
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The jam-packed culinary weekend starts on Saturday in Korea, then visiting Peru with Japanese influences, before going onto a proper Gastropub Sunday lunch in the UK and finally finishing off in the Gujarati region of India to close the weekend.
All you’ll need to do is pick your favourite and join in.
Fancy it then? Here’s just taster of the classes you can stick your name down for.
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Korean Cookery Class
Saturday 23 October
1pm – 4pm | £85
Korean food is some of the healthiest on earth, with an emphasis on vegetables, meats cooked simply and without much oil. It looks beautiful and and is perfect for tasty suppers, so this class offers a mixture of demonstration and hands-on cookery to help you prepare a selection of authentic dishes.
Did you know that Peru has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan itself? This has lead to a fusion of Japanese traditions and Peruvian ingredients, known as Nikkei cuisine – a delicious combination which has influenced chefs everywhere.
This cookery class led by chef Jan Cron brings many of the special cooking techniques to your plate, an explosion of delicate flavours to create something wonderful.
If you love Japanese food and would like to try something new, then this is the class for you.
A gastropub is a hybrid pub, bar, and restaurant, and during this cookery class, you’ll not only take advantage of the chef’s skills showing you how to make pub classics, but also Food Sorcery’s extensive bar and fantastic wine list.
‘Cooking Together’ evenings are the perfect blend of meal out and cookery class – “sociable foodie fun”.
Gujarati vegetarian cuisine originates from Western India and is typically served as a thali – which literally means ‘full plate of food’ – so the dishes cooked during this class are all vegetarian, and simultaneously and distinctively sweet, salty, and spicy.
Chef Nina will introduce curries that many will not have tried before, as well as variations of the firm favourites like dhals and chapatis – be prepared to try something different.
GastroPub Cooking Together & Indian Gujariti / Credit: Food Sorcery
If you’re keen to keep on going, then the fun doesn’t just stop at the weekend as there’s a handful of other classes carrying on throughout half term week too.
Here’s just a few more to get stuck into.
Tastes of Thailand Cookery Class
Thursday 28 October
7pm – 10pm | £85
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Thai cuisine is one of the tastiest foods on the planet, if you ask us – It’s fresh, healthy and potentially mind-blowingly spicy.
At this cookery class – which is a combination of hands-on cooking and demonstration – authentic ingredients are readily available, and the professional chef will explain where and how to source them as you explore the amazing flavours that can be achieved using traditional techniques.
Middle Eastern cuisine is quite-rightly now getting the adoration it deserves, so at this class, you can be inspired with the history and flavours of wonderful dishes, from fabulous falafel that can be used as part of a mezze platter, a light lunch, or a starter to perfect pillowy pilaf that can be the centre piece of a feast and varied with different flavours throughout the year.
‘Cooking Together’ evenings are the perfect blend of meal out and cookery class – “sociable foodie fun”.
Science and Industry Museum announces programme of FREE ‘spooktacular’ October half term activities
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s best museums has announced a programme of free ‘spooktacular science’ activities for October half term.
With 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, the Science and Industry Museum has got you covered.
With only a few weeks to go until schools in Greater Manchester are out for October half term, the massively popular museum in the heart of Manchester city centre has unveiled a jam-packed lineup of free events.
Families are being told to get ready for ‘spooktacular’ science, hands-on activities, and loads of interactive fun, all inspired by the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition.
You can storyboard and then animate your own extra-terrestrial character inside the Animation Studio, let your imagination run wild and design your own alien species, or even go on a galactic treasure hunt around the museum and build your own interstellar spaceship with a giant rocket building kit.
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum has announced a programme of free ‘spooktacular’ October half term activities / Credit: Science Museum Group
In the mornings, you can take a break from your cosmic adventures and enjoy family-friendly sci-fi screenings in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also then be able to put your skills to the test with classic space-themed games on the big screen every day in the afternoon.
And don’t forget, this half term is your only chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster who’ll be popping up in the Upper Yard as part of the annual Halloween in the City MCR Monsters trail.
If you’re planning on visiting on actual Halloween day itself, then the museum is inviting you to come dressed in your best costume so you can get properly stuck into all the spooky fun.
The unveiling of the October half term events programme comes after the museum also announced that its popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event would be returning for one night only later this month, also with a Halloween twist.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions. Find out more here.
Science and Industry Museum’s October Half Term Programme is running from 24 October to 1 November. Entry to the museum (except the exhibitions) is free of charge, but it’s advised that you book your admission in advance, as it’s expected to be busier than normal.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth (Science Museum Group)
What's On
Printworks is hosting a FREE ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling next month.
Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’ next month, Printworks has announced it’ll be hosting a dazzling evening of lights, music, stories, and Manchester spirit, as the iconic venue transforms Europe’s largest digital ceiling into a spectacular celebration for all the family.
Kicking off from 4:30pm, the free event will begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, where hundreds of stars will appear across the ceiling, each carrying the name of a real Manchester hero, creating a unique celebration of the people who make the city shine.
Members of the public can nominate someone to become a star, whether it’s a child, parent, grandparent, friend, colleague, community champion, or simply someone who deserves a little extra recognition. Nominations can be made here.
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)
Two cosy story time sessions with BBC Radio One and former CBBC presenter, Katie Thistleton, and children’s favourite, Hacker T Dog, will follow the star display, and each child will receive light-up headphones to enjoy the sessions in a dedicated chill-out zone.
Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays between the story time sessions, including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects, designed to offer a more accessible and welcoming way for families to enjoy the festivities.
The main fireworks and music experience will follow at 6:15pm, before the fun continues on into the evening with a live choir.
If you get a little peckish throughout the evening, there will also be a pop-up dessert cart serving Bonfire Night-inspired sweet treats, while Barney’s Coffee offers up an autumn drinks menu featuring seasonal favourites, such as pumpkin spice lattes and chocolate orange hot chocolates.
“We’re really excited to welcome back Printworks’ Bonfire Night event for the third year running,” explained Sophie Rooney, who is the Marketing Manager at Printworks.
“With fewer bonfire and firework displays taking place in the city, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy an evening of celebrations right here at Printworks.”
Printworks is promising an ‘immersive evening’ for all the family, free of charge. Find out more information and timings HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2021 
