Rochdale’s new festival set to offer the very best in food and drink

Rochdale Food and Drink Festival

Rochdale Food and Drink Festival will offer visitors the very best in food and drink in a 'village' with more than 40 traders selling delicious dishes, fantastic street food, pop-up shops and, bars inside and around the Town Hall on Saturday 24 March.

Visitors will be able take indulge in naan sandwiches, Italian tapas, salads, and delicious wood-fired pizzas. There will also be Chinese, Thai and Pan Asian street food, gourmet burgers, fusion quesadillas, homemade pies, pancakes and churros available.

Bars will offer a range of alcoholic and soft drinks. The popular Bubble Box Prosecco Bar returns accompanied by cocktail and gin bars.

Inside the Town Hall there will be stalls selling food and gifts to take home, including cheeses, chutneys, relishes, Indian street food, Caribbean cakes, muffins, artisan chocolates, black puddings, fudge and desserts.

On the ground floor of the town hall the reception room will be transformed into a 1920s-themed bar hosting a series of free workshops every hour from 11am, including ‘Wonderful Wines’, ‘The Gin Experience,’ and ‘Cocktail Making Like a Pro.’ 

Claire Gilbertson, founder and creator of Mr Bee and Mr Bat, the artisan chocolatier from Heywood, will be demonstrating how to make and decorate  handmade chocolate truffles.

CBeebies ‘I Can Cook’ presenter Katy Ashworth will be bring her energetic burst of silliness and family fun to the indoor stage – with shows aimed at children and grown-ups packed with games, sing-a-long songs and laughter, learning about where food comes from through music and imagination.

Rochelle the Healthy Hero will also be making an appearance, serving up advice and tips on healthy eating for you and your family.

Councillor Janet Emsley, our cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture said: “Rochdale Food and Drink Festival will be packed with a superb variety of traders around the Town Hall, with a covered seating area and a music stage, and inside we are creating something equally impressive with lots to see and do including workshops, cookery demonstrations, stalls, family entertainment and eating areas. 

"Some of the food and drink elements that have gone down really well at Rochdale Feel Good Festival over the years will be appearing, but we are making use of spaces we haven’t previously been able to and trying some exciting new elements too. 

"It will be fun, different and a great day with something for everyone. We will even have a Victorian carousel ride in front of the Town Hall.”