Having attracted over 15,000 visitors over three-days to last year’s Manchester Picnic, the popular food fest is set to return to Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre for its third year from 3- 5 August 2012 with more gourmet delights. Organised by Piccadilly Partnership, there will be stalls serving tasty treats from 11am – 6pm each day.
Located in Piccadilly Gardens in the heart of Manchester city centre, sixteen stalls will be selling a range of 'street food' from around the world. Firm favourites will be back including Ginger's Comfort Emporium who will be selling her famous homemade award-winning ice cream.
Manchester's Greek family restaurant, Papa G's will be serving slouvaki, there'll be authentic sashimi from Wasabi Sushi, as well as Punjabi, Brazilian, Japanese and Spanish cuisine. Also, for the first time, Master Chef finalist Jackie Kearney will be making an appearance with her famous airstream van, The Hungry Gecko.
There will also be family entertainment all weekend including System One's Mr Red, vintage DJs on Friday, live music on Saturday from Nando's Nanockers and activities for children on Sunday including Baby Ballet's Twinkle the Bear and Manchester Museum's museum in a box.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council's City centre spokesperson said: "We're really pleased to see the Manchester Picnic back again in Piccadilly Gardens this August. This was one of the most popular events in the city centre last summer and this year's is expected to attract record numbers of attendees."
Alexandra King, Piccadilly Partnership Director for CityCo said: "We've given this year's picnic a street food twist and have carefully selected a range of foods from around the world. There will be so much choice that you'll be able to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here all weekend and each time try something new. The entertainments programme also caters for everyone from city workers on Friday through to families on Sunday. This has become a highlight of the summer and a fantastic way to enjoy Piccadilly Gardens. I have no doubt it will yet again attract a great crowd."
Claire Kelsey from Ginger's Comfort Emporium added: "The Manchester Picnic was lots of fun last year and it's great to be back. We have lots of new flavours which I'm looking forward to trying out on people."
The event is sponsored by System One - the travelcard provider for Greater Manchester - which can help picnic-goers get to Piccadilly Gardens easily. System One travelcards are available for 1, 7, 28 days or annually and priced from £2.70 for u16s or £4.80 for the bus Daysaver. Buy DaySavers on the bus, at rail stations or tram stops. For more information visit www.systemonetravelcards.co.uk/.
For more details about The Manchester Picnic and other Piccadilly Partnership's summer events programme visit www.piccadillymanchester.com/