BIG TRAY BBQ IS STEPPING THINGS UP WITH A 5KG BBQ SHARER Celebrating 85,000 people (count em!) coming through the door since opening, Big Tray BBQ is levelling up. The Media City BBQ joint is unleashing Big Tray BBQ 2.0, (or should that be 5.0?), with a bafflingly large near 5kg sharing platter. What a way to celebrate. There are a few other new dishes happening too, and upgraded sides, all launching on 15 October, plus a new QR code ordering system. As ever walk-ins are welcome, but they're now taking bookings for the first time too. …. 📍Quayside Media City Central Bay, Unit 35 The Quays, Salford M50 3AG

HAWKSMOOR’S 'FOMO-BUSTING' STEAK TASTING FLIGHT HAS JUST LANDED @HawksmoorTweets is synonymous with steak excellence in the city, but what if you’re ready to mix things up a bit? They’re now offering a steak flight - a spread of four premium cuts - designed to share between four or five people. The steak flight brings together four distinct British cuts: a lean, deeply savoury Hawksmoor Farms rump; buttery, finely marbled Wildfell Wagyu sirloin; rich and juicy Longhorn rib-eye with its generous fat cap; and a delicate Aberdeen Angus fillet with a distinctive ultra-fine grain and off-the-scale tenderness. Sourced from carefully selected British farms and heritage breeds, each steak has its own balance of smoke, umami, richness and texture. It’s served with bone marrow, and it’s best enjoyed with any number of Hawksmoor's classic sides like beef dripping chips and creamed spinach. So you’re bound to come away with a new favourite - and crucially - avoid steak fomo. You just have to decide which drinks you want to pair with it. …. 📍 184–186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB ⏰ Mon – Thurs 11:45am – 11pm, Fri – Sat 11:45am– 11:30pm, Sun 11:30am – 10:30pm 💰 Steak flight £200 for 4-5 people, sides from £4, cocktails from £13.50

THE 24-YEAR-OLD MICHELIN CHEF TURNING SANDWICHES INTO A TASTING MENU Tucked away above a barbers shop in Oldham, the humble butty is being elevated into a seven-course tasting menu. After going through Michelin-training and working in some of the most renowned restaurants in Manchester, Kieran O'Reilly decided to open his own place, Ruger Fjord, under the motto ‘happy chef, happy food’. Originally envisioned as a brunch spot with the goal of ‘keeping the lights on’, only three months in, they’ve refined to an elevated sandwich menu that people just can’t get enough of. You can get your hands on one through a sandwich ‘drop’, ordering online in advance to pick up, or through a completely unique seven-course fine dining experience based around the butty. The fine-dining menu highlights each meticulously executed element of their sandwiches, including a 105-hour shallot confit, home-made bacon jam and an in-house tomato vine-oil, all designed to get you craving the final product (as if you weren’t already). For the final course, you’ll witness the ‘Sandwich Demonstration’ where your butty is prepared on the central island, as you’re talked through its composition and finally get to tuck in. No flipping tables, no stuffy formalities, this is fine-dining through elevated food but with family feel. 📍 Unit 2, The Greaves Building, Hartshead St, Lees, Oldham OL4 5EE ⏰ Sandwich Drops: Thursday & Friday, 5:00-6:15pm, Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am-1:00pm, Tasting Menu: Thursday & Friday 7pm, Saturday & Sunday 3pm or 7pm 💰Sandwiches from £12.25 | Tasting menu from £47.50pp

EUROPE’S LARGEST CHINESE GARDENS OPENS IN SALFORD More than eight years in the making, the new Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden is the centrepiece of the seven-acre Chinese Streamside Garden in Salford at RHS Bridgewater, with winding paths, bridges, traditional planting and carefully framed views designed to unfold as you make your way around. At the heart of it all are four interconnected pavilions dedicated to chess, music, calligraphy and painting, created by Chinese artisans and inspired by the historic scholars’ gardens of Yangzhou. It would be stunning at any time of the year, but it’s especially so as the first colours of Autumn start to emerge. If you’re looking for a wholesome weekend activity, whether you’ve checked out RHS Garden Bridgewater yet or not, this one really has to be experienced in real life. …. 📍RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ ⏰Open daily 10am-6pm 💰Standard admission £17.20, off-peak £15.70, RHS Members go free on Tuesdays

THIS IS HOW THEY DO CASK ALE WEEK AT JOSEPH HOLT BREWERY One of Manchester’s most recognisable breweries, Joseph Holt know a thing or two about producing cask ale. With extra fermentation, less carbonation and a warmer drinking temperature, it offers something different - and more traditional - than your fizzy lagers or craft beers. A real labour of love to produce, we understand why it’s worth celebrating. We made the short journey up to Cheetham Hill to check out production in action, then made the even shorter journey to The Spinner’s Rest to enjoy a pint of Two Hoots, their hand-pulled, zesty golden ale. A very happy Cask Ale Week to all. …. 📍The Spinners Rest

Action from today’s World Black Pudding Throwing World Championship in Ramsbottom🏆

THE STOCKPORT HAT-MAKER TURNING OLD FABRIC INTO CUSTOM SAILOR HATS Robyn Salt aka SALT hats grew up in Stockport, going on endless school trips to the majestic Hat Works museum. Starting out in the vintage trade and growing up with a seamstress mother, it was almost inevitable she’d end up creating her own fashion business. Sailor hats might not seem like the obvious choice, but with a love of all things Popeye and nautical, it’s become the brand’s trademark. She creates custom orders by hand, with obsessive attention to detail, releasing occasional themed collections too. Robyn has also created a number of collaborations with local artists, using satin off cuts from fashion brand Pristiiine and hand painted designs by Savage Studios. Since she’s outgrown her Stockport studio, she’s now based in Ardwick, but is staying true to her hometown’s millinery heritage. She's not always open for custom orders, but you're in luck, the next order window opens on 3pm on 18 September. We think we need one….

THE JAPANESE ‘IZAKAYA’ THAT HAS JUST SIX TABLES Former social worker Kelvin opened Aomori in Salford a couple of years ago, after moving over from Hong Kong. The tiny Blackfriars Road restaurant is intimate and casual in the ‘izakaya’ style, but that doesn’t mean the execution is anything less than masterful. The menu is made up of super fresh sashimi, curry and rice dishes, and signature sushi rolls. It’s considered, with an emphasis on precision, hospitality and doing things “the Japanese way”. You have to try the signature dragon rolls with seared salmon and fried prawns. Plus there’s a warming salmon miso soup on the menu for an incredibly reasonable £1.50. With just six tables in the entire place, Kelvin ends up talking to all of his customers, something that’s important to his approach. And it all happens under the watchful eye of Sorbet, the wonderful ‘Pomchi’. Go and give them a visit. …. 📍 69 Blackfriars Road, Salford M3 7DB ⏰ Fri - Weds 6-9.30pm 💰 Nigiri from £4, sharing platters from £18.50, rice bowls from £14

THE CURRY MILE INSTITUTION THAT’S HAD PEOPLE COMING BACK FOR 35 YEARS | ad It’s no secret that Mughli is a Rusholme must-try. Standing on the Curry Mile for over 35 years, it’s now run by the four Arshad brothers, the sons of the original founder Uncle Peter, who sadly passed away in 2009. Now firmly in its second generation, people travel far and wide (and at all hours of the day) to enjoy their charcoal cooked delicacies which range from street food-inspired bites to authentic curries for sharing. The stars of the show, however, are the dishes from the ‘koyla’ or charcoal pit. You have to try the succulent, generous lamb chops as well as their leopard roll - a kebab blanketed in a flame-grilled roti. And don’t overlook the butter chicken, it’s not like one you’ve tasted before. No wonder they say they’re ‘not just a curry house’. CLICK THE LINK bit.ly/3UlxAFF TO ORDER with Uber Eats and enjoy a free ’Indian takeaway starter pack’ when spending more than £35, which includes bhajias, papadoms and chutneys. …. 📍30 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 5TQ ⏰Mon-Fri 5pm-11.30pm, Sat 4-11.30pm, Sun 2-10.30pm 💰Street food from £5.50, curries from £6, charcoal pit dishes from £4

GAUCHO GETS A NEW LOOK AFTER OVER 25 YEARS IN MANCHESTER We took a look at the gorgeous Gaucho Manchester, which has just thrown open its doors after a glow-up. This venerable Latin American restaurant is as impressive as ever, with a smart new bar area and an exclusive new steak dish - featuring more than a bit of drama - available only at the Manchester site. Here’s to the next 25… …. 📍2a St Mary's St, Manchester M3 2LB

THE SEAFOOD BOIL SO GOOD PEOPLE TRAVEL TO MANCHESTER FOR IT | ad Mama’s Soul Food first set up their dark kitchen six years ago, winning fans across the city for their extravagant, indulgent seafood boil, lobster rolls and surf ‘n’ turf sharing platters. With a new bricks-and-mortar establishment on Norton Street in Salford, they’re now attracting diners from even further afield, many travelling into the city to experience their take on soul food, which combines elements of father and daughter duo Marcio and Andrea’s Angolan and Portuguese heritage. And you have to get stuck in. With everything from cajun prawns to whole crab and lobster, you do have to work a little for your dinner, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. Then select your spice level, and from an array of homemade dipping sauces, and you’re good to go. We’ve never seen seafood this fresh or abundant. Just make sure you come hungry… …. 📍Unit 2 Norton Street, Salford M3 7NW ⏰Sun, Tues-Thurs 12-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-11pm 💰Seafood boil from £47.95

REFUGE’S UNIQUE PRIDE PARTY TURNS 10 Come As You Are - the one of a kind Pride party at The Refuge - is celebrating its 10th birthday this August bank holiday. The party, which falls on Pride weekend, and takes over the whole of Refuge - including their enviable covered terrace - is always a joyous celebration of inclusivity. And located slap bang in the middle of Canal Street and the Oxford Road corridor, it’s the perfect place to kick off your weekend. It’s going to be a (very opulent) riot. …. ⏰ Saturday 29 August , 1pm - late 📍 The Refuge, Oxford Street, Manchester M60 7HA 💰 Free to attend

Kurupt FM’s Seapa and Hugo on the joy of getting paid to mess around with your mates.