Greater Manchester has been making plenty of noise on the food scene lately, and this past week has served up more than enough to chew on.
First up, the Michelin Guide has given a well-deserved nod to three new local names: Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague, Winsome by Shaun Moffat, and Cantaloupe in Stockport. It’s fantastic to see such a variety of styles and locations being recognised – from McTague’s thoughtful small plates to Moffat’s bold flavours, while Cantaloupe brings a breezy, modern bistro feel to Stockport.
Mary-Ellen McTague is a familiar and much-loved presence on the local scene, known for her creative, sustainable cooking rooted in community. After honing her craft at The Fat Duck, the Bury born chef launched ventures such as Aumbry and The Creameries—always with a nod to clever, heartfelt dishes. With Pip, she continues this ethos, championing local produce in plates that feel both rooted and gently inventive.
Mary-Ellen McTague’s Pip opened at the Treehouse Hotel in March
Shaun Moffat, originally from South Africa, has built a name for delivering big, characterful flavours with a relaxed, welcoming approach. Winsome feels like home: hearty, nostalgic dishes executed with quality and warmth – a tribute to both flavour and the joy of good company. Grace Dent’s review from May this year said much the same.
And then there’s Cantaloupe, tucked into Stockport’s historic Underbanks. The restaurant is the brainchild of chefs Joshua Reed-Cooper and Mike Thomas, who bring experience from Where The Light Gets In, The Creameries, The French, Climat, Mana, Hawksmoor, and more.
Read Manchester Evening News’s article on the three new entries here.
It’s a Modern European bistro with Mediterranean leanings, serving up seasonal small plates with precision and care—all served in a cool, laid-back setting that’s helped make Cantaloupe one of Stockport’s go-to destinations.
Cantaloupe in Stockport joins Pip and Winsome in the Michelin Guide
Together, these three showcase the diversity and depth now defining Greater Manchester’s culinary landscape: inventive small plates, bold flavour, and seasonal, approachable elegance.
Speaking of elegance, Sophie and Caroline were in attendance at last Friday’s Bolton Food Festival Gala Dinner. Guests were treated to amuse-bouche by Scott Bannon and Maria Grieco, followed by 5 courses from Joe McLeod, Joe Liptrot, Mike Harrison, Aiden Byrne, and Michael Caines.
Seared tuna loin by Mike Harrison
Aiden Byrne’s breast and loin of lamb
Joe Liptrot’s confit chicken roulade
After Bannon and Grieco’s delicious amuse bouche, Joe McLeod’s starter was pan seared glazed scallop with compressed apple and yuzu and salt baked celeriac espuma.
Joe Liptrot’s dish was confit chicken roulade with apricot gel, crispy prosciutto and baby watercress. The fish dish was seared tuna loin and smoked fondant potato from Mike Harrison, along with a chorizo crumb and a tonka bean mayo.
Aiden Byrne treated diners to a breast and loin of Texal lamb with split pea purée and grilled garden peas. The dinner was rounded off beautifully with Michael Caines’ dark chocolate and orange confit mousse and orange gel.
It was a fantastic celebration of the North West’s culinary talent, capped off with festival-worthy flair.
On a personal note, I’m counting down to dinner at Tender by Niall Keating at the Stock Exchange Hotel tomorrow night. The menu has already been studied (several times), and picking my plates is going to be the hardest—but tastiest—decision I’ll make all week.
From Michelin entries to festival fare and the fine-dining vibe on the horizon—Greater Manchester is buzzing, and long may it continue.
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