When planning an event, great food is never just a detail - it’s a key part of the experience. At Manchester Central we believe every bite should be unforgettable, which is why our experienced in-house catering team work hard to exceed expectations and deliver a memorable experience.
Whether it is providing sustainable plant-based options, a wonderful banquet, or some flavourful grab and go options, the venue team work hard to ensure every event is well catered for…
When it comes to live events, food and drink has the capability to hugely impact the delegate experience, and that’s why Manchester Central aim to offer real culinary diversity.
Not only do we offer banqueting and bespoke catering options, but we also offer a wide range of street-food concepts. These street-food retail points are a great option for consumer shows or large tradeshows, to encourage visitors to stay and dine whilst enjoying an event. The flexibility of the retail points, serving up the likes of Bibimbap, Gyros, and plant-based salads, also means the food being served up can be tailored to the audience, whether that’s students, corporate professionals, or earth-conscious consumers.
If you are looking for a more formal dining option, for the likes of a banquet, gala dinner, or awards ceremony, then our three-course menu is the perfect option to provide a high-end service on a large scale, that really delivers on flavour. The perks of having our Kitchen and Front-of-House team in-house? It means we can consistently deliver, like having the ability to serve a 3-course menu to 1000 people in just an hour and a half.
Sustainability and future-proofing our approach to business is a core driver in our work at the venue, and this extends to the kitchen. We are proud to work with several local suppliers, such as Martins Bakers and Birtwistles Butchers, with a large majority of our ingredients coming from within a 50-mile radius; this means that not only are we reducing unnecessary emissions in transportation, but we are also supporting local and likeminded businesses. Menu dishes are designed to champion both local and seasonal ingredients, creating a memorable dining experience.
Our approach to sustainability also extends to our passion for plant-based food options. Our vegetarian and vegan dishes have official Vegetarian Society Accreditation status, offering organisers an extensive collection of meat-free menus to choose from. We have seen a growth in demand for our plant-based offering over recent years, with the increased understanding of what impact our food choices are having on the environment. The Housing Conference was one of the first our clients to have a fully plant-based event, showcasing what can be achieved with a commitment to sustainability.
We also recognised the importance of wider education around food choices, which is why we partnered with Klimato to provide carbon labels on all our retail menus. This has allowed event goers to consciously think about their carbon footprint when looking at their food choices.
The consideration of sustainability doesn’t end with the food we serve; it extends to our work to reduce single use plastic within the venue. We have already eliminated straws, cutlery and disposable hospitality items and replaced them with plastic-free alternatives.
To create an offering that fits perfectly with an event, the Manchester Central team work hard for months behind the scenes in collaboration with clients…
The curation of an event menu often begins with a menu tasting; we invite a team from the event organisers, where they will be joined by members of the venue’s event delivery team. Our menu tastings provide an elevated experience for attendees as not only do we all eat together, but there are also no short portions in sight – ensuring a real flavour of each dish can be tasted. Beyond this, the sessions offer a glimpse of what the table set up will be for a dinner at a live event, with crockery, cutlery, and drinks considered at this stage.
The venue team are at the menu tastings to not only showcase the range of offerings our in-house team can cook up, but to also offer guidance and support; with years of experience tailoring the catering selections at events to suit the delegates, the team are always happy to share their knowledge and discuss popular pairings. The ability to have on-hand experts to answer any questions at this early stage is often crucial to a successful menu. It is also often a great opportunity for clients to meet the Chef who will be leading the team on the live event, and to ask those all-important questions, ensuring event organisers have complete confidence in the service to be delivered.
When it comes to the core menus we offer, not only are they regularly refreshed to reflect the best seasonal ingredients, but they are also a result of collaboration from the kitchen team; the team, including Sous Chefs and Pastry Chefs, all have a chance to make new dish suggestions and offer feedback.
We recognise that food can unite us, which is why we are so proud of the food produced here at Manchester Central; whether it’s a three-course meal, a themed street food menu, a quick grab-and-go bite to eat, or a sweet treat with a hot drink, our in-house team work to ensure every dish reflects our passion and high-quality ethos here at the venue.
Interested in learning more about our hospitality offerings, and how they might enhance your event? Our team are always happy to support your plans to help you create your next unforgettable experience!
Get in touch with us on sales@manchestercentral.co.uk