"There’s more to this town than pastry snacks"
Time Out Magazine


What started five years ago with a couple of restaurant events, has today, like a fine wine or cheese - matured nicely into a regionally significant and well respected food and drink festival. A festival that is not only enjoyed by large audiences, but appreciated by the local food and drink sector, who recognise the festival’s wider contribution.

Over 40,000 people experienced some element of last year’s programme spending an estimated £250K. We broke records in 2011: 4,500 people attended the Wigan CAMRA Beer Festival, over 3,000 sampled the Kitchen Theatre and an estimated 20,000 tasted the delights of the
Continental Market.

The Festival brings together and shines a spotlight on local restaurants, restauranteurs, chefs, suppliers and
producers in a genuine celebration of what is good about Wigan Borough’s food and drink industry.

In 2012, we are stretching our boundary to celebrate Greater Manchester produce and producers. Manchester’s very own and co-star of BBC’s Something for the Weekend Simon Rimmer will be hosting events. Other highlights this year include a demonstration and dinner hosted
by celebrity chef – Mr Romantic - Jean Christophe Novelli and there will be appearances by local sporting celebrities who will be combining food and sport in this Olympic year. And returning by popular demand and opening the brand new Piazza in Wigan Town Centre will be the wonderful – Lancashire Hotpots.

This full and varied programme has been put together during very challenging economic times for Wigan’s big business and particularly for our small enterprises.
All credit must therefore go to our sponsors and restaurant partners. Who despite such pressures, remain committed to Wigan and to putting on events for local people and visitors. Reward them if you will, by attending the festival in 2012, by buying their brands and visiting their restaurants. Say thanks from us.

The Wigan Food & Drink Festival 2012 gratefully acknowledges the support and enthusiasm of our partner restaurants and the following sponsors Plus the funding and support of Food Connect the Greater Manchester Food and Drink Industry Support Initiative (www.visitmanchester.com).