You may have already seen us raving about the first instalment of the excellent Out of Towners by Manchester’s Finest, but it would be remiss if we didn’t include a bit more detail.
Hosted at the beautiful TNQ Restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the night kicked off with the lovely and wonderfully talented Jack Bond introducing himself and his wife Beth who made the journey from the splendid (and aptly named) Cottage in the Wood.
Jack and Beth went on to explain their ethos and their passion, and how their food is all about working with and celebrating the ingredients on their doorstep and reflecting their local area in their clean and deceptively complex dishes.
So, mouths suitably watering, out came the menus and anticipation was suitably heightened.
I unfortunately wasn’t there, so I can only relay the opinions – and photographs – of Caroline and Sophie, starting with the amuse bouche of stout, smoked onion and cheese.
Amuse Bouche: Stout, onion, smoked cheese
Grilled potato bread and cultured butter
Next up a warming, grilled potato bread with cultured butter and followed by fresh pumpkin, smoked almond and rhubarb.
Pumpkin, smoke almond, rhubarb
For the fish dish, a gin cured trout – packed full of flavour – and paired with horseradish and XO.
Visually stunning gin cured trout
Then the main event; beef, celeriac and wild garlic followed by a palate cleansing pre-dessert of rhubarb, King’s ginger and bee pollen.
“The main event”: beef, celeriac, wild garlic
Sophie: “One of the best desserts I’ve ever had” – chocolate, Pedro Ximenez, cacao
The meal was completed with a stunning finishing touch – and described by Sophie as being one of the best desserts she’s ever had: chocolate, Pedro Ximenez and cacao. And now the experience has actually seen Sophie (and I imagine others who were present) book in at Cottage in the Wood itself, to have another go at Chef Jack’s food.
It has to be worth a mention, by the way, the incredible front of house team, providing very, very generous wine pairings; with all wines sourced from the iconic Antinori estate.
We’re on tenterhooks waiting for whose name pops up next in the Out of Towners next instalment, and our names are sure to be first on the list.
Hospitality Action
Hospitality Action continues to work hard to support hospitality professionals across the UK. With numerous upcoming events in 2025 to keep an eye out for, it’s well worth donating to and taking part in this amazing cause.
They have just held a fundraiser at The Alverton Hotel, with some fantastic names from around the UK contributing to a fantastic charity dinner.
Coming up in May is an exclusive 4-course feast in honour of ‘Bike to Care en Bordeaux’ 2025, hosted by Sabrina Ghayour, and featuring André Garrett, Phil Howard, Michael Paul and Shaun Rankin.
Then 1st June sees the South West Polo Day at Beaufort Golf Club with huge names such as Daniel Galmiche, Chris Cleghorn, Hywel Jones and Ricki Weston.
Sunday 1st June 2025: South West Polo Day
Hospitality Action is working all year around, helping those in need; whether it’s financial support, mental health support or anything else; they’ve got you. If you need help and support, you can contact Hospitality Action here.
The Vacancies Keep Rolling In…
It’s been another busy week, as we’ve had roles in for an array of properties across the UK; including chef roles within an East Sussex country estate, front of house and senior kitchen roles for an award-winning gastro inn in the East Midlands and a Chef de Partie for a Michelin Star restaurant in Cumbria. Find all these and more right here!
