The first ever Bury Food and Drink Festival will hit the town this week with an exciting line-up of traders and stallholders.
The inaugural food festival starts on Thursday, May 23 and takes place until Saturday, May 25 boasting three days of pop-up food markets, artisan drinks, craft stalls, music and live entertainment.
The festival, which was delayed from last year following the discovery of RAAC concrete in Bury’s indoor market, will see a number of traders set up shop in Bury town centre, including Golden Mile and Georgiana Block in Bury Market, Kay Gardens, the Robert Peel statue and leading to The Rock shopping Centre.
The event promises something for everyone from vegans and vegetarians, to meat-lovers and adventurers in world cuisine as well as those looking for artisan crafts and independent makers.
The festival will also see a dedicated section for the food and culture of Hong Kong on Friday and Saturday from 9am at Kay Gardens, which will host the So Hong Kong festival.
Cammie Liu, who runs Hong Kong stall Moliuliu’s Store in Bury Market, said this year’s Hong Kong Festival will be even bigger than last year.
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She said: “So Hong Kong Festival will be in Kay Gardens this time, with over 50 stalls of hot food, prepacked food, handicraft, and also four stalls of traditional fun fair games run by CIC or community organisations. There will be a pop-up bar inside Bury Market, filling up the very last empty stall on Princess Block.”
Elsewhere, the event will have stalls with offerings from all over the world including traditional Macedonian and Balkan bakes to vegan west African food. There is also dedicated vegan area with stalls selling plant-based cheese and meat-free Portuguese food.
Stallholders will be coming from across the region, including Heywood-based shop The Lancashire Wellness Kitchen, which specialises in seasonal, homecooked products, including jams, chutneys and sauces.
Kim Goldie, who runs the business with father and daughter team Shaun and Chamaine Nash, said: "The Lancashire Wellness Kitchen is a father (Shaun), daughter (Chamaine) and friend (Kim) team bringing wholesome, homecooked, seasonal food to the local community.
"We pride ourselves on developing unique and seasonal recipes using local produce from independent merchants.
We cook everything from a home kitchen in Heywood and have a five-star food hygiene rating awarded by Rochdale Council.
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"If you visit one of our stalls you can expect to find a range of jams, chutneys and sauces. Recipe kits, spice mixes, breads, sourdough starters and sweet Bakes.
"We also do hot and cold food catering for events, corporate lunches and more! Find us on Facebook or at numerous markets across the region."
Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: “Everyone knows our famous Bury Market is packed full of great food and drink, but so is our wider town centre, which holds the coveted Purple Flag for its night-time economy.
"This is a fabulous chance to get together and celebrate a world of taste available in Bury, and enjoy the entertainment too.”
Bury Food and Drink festival runs from Thursday, May 23 from 5pm to 10pm at Bury Market only, to Saturday, May 25 from 9am to 4.30pm across the town.
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