Cheetham dishes up an Italian treat

Diners at one of Manchester’s swankiest restaurants will be given a taste of North Manchester as its head chef cooks up a dish using only ingredients grown in a Cheetham allotment.

The one-off special at celebrity haunt San Carlo in King Street, which won the Les Routiers restaurant award for best hospitality and service last year, will use produce from Cheetham gardener Emilio Degisi's flourishing orchard and allotment to create a traditional dish from his hometown near Naples in Italy. A free glass of wine from Emilio's vineyard - made from grapes pressed by Emilio's grandchildren - will be served with each Cheetham/San Carlo special ordered.

The event, on Tuesday 9 October, is part of The Co-operative Manchester Food and Drink Festival's North Manchester fringe festival showcasing the area's fantastic flavours.

Produce freshly-plucked from the orchard and allotment off Hazelbottom Road in Cheetham will be transformed into Neopolitan-style rustic dishes.

Head chef Jason Annette said: "We take pride in the produce we use so it's great to do something where people know the ingredients are grown locally, just a couple of miles away."

Italian-born Emilio, aged 69, who lives in Cheetham, won a special award at last year's In Bloom for his work in local primary schools educating children about growing their own fruit and veg.

He said: "I think it's wonderful that the traditional culture that I grew up with in Italy still has a place in the 21st Century. I grow a lot of the food that I eat myself so I'm looking forward to seeing what a top chef produces with ingredients from my allotment."

Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Arts and Leisure, said: "North Manchester is full of surprises. The strength of this year's fringe festival underlines what a vibrant place it is. Emilio is a great example of the community spirit which characterises the area."

The event is one of a series celebrating North Manchester flavours at this year's Food and Drink Festival. Others include:

SUNDAY 7 AND SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER: A Taste of Honey, The Dower House, Heaton Park - meet the Heaton Park beekeepers and sample sumptuous Heaton Park honey

SUNDAY 7 OCTOBER: An Edwardian Afternoon Tea, The Orangery, Heaton Park - step back in time for a traditional afternoon of sandwiches, dainty pastries and fine teas. Cost £6.50 per person.

TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER: Ale Tales at the Marble, Marble Arch, Rochdale Road, 6.30-8pm - journalist Jonathan Schofield presents free beer tales and tastings

THURSDAY 11 OCTOBER: Moston Martini Night, The Restaurant, MANCAT Ashley Lane, Moston, 6.30pm - Moston Martinis, canapes and mocktails created by mixologists are on offer at this Bond-themed evening. Cost £5.

FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER: Lunch at the Library, North City Library, Harpurhey, noon to 1.30pm - a free two-course lunch for all North Manchester residents who join the library on the day

For more information go to http://www.foodanddrinkfestival.com/

To make a reservation at the restaurant call 0161 834 6226.

Media contact:

Roger Williams, tel: 0161 234 3275