Hi all, how are you doing? If you didn’t know, the Bolton Winter Festival kicks off this weekend. The festival has been going strong over recent years and the newest addition to this year’s Winter Festival are the magnificent tipis that will be taking up residence on the square. Yup, that’s right, you can nibble on tasty treats in a fairy-lit tipi, whilst cradling a hot chocolate (or mulled wine, whatever takes your fancy).

A welcome retreat from the cold wintery weather outside, these cosy, fairy lit tipis will be offering yummy food and drink, live music stages as well as hosting lots of special festival events throughout the Christmas period.

You snooze, you lose, so set your alarm and saunter down to the Bolton centre at 10am, where you will be served drinks and cake (courtesy of Luis Troyano and Icky Sticky Cake Company) as well as a lunch time offer of savoury treats. It’s more than just a fun day out. Why not take some much deserved time out, come on in from the cold and warm your tummy with some hot food and a warming drink?

For the full line up of our special events read on.

Christmas Demos – Luis Troyano

3rd and 10th December 12noon – 2pm (£5 – hot drink included)

and 17th December 6pm – 8pm (£7.50 – glass of fizz included)

Join Bake Off finalist Luis for a cracking Christmas demo. Sit back and relax as Luis demonstrates three festive flavoured bakes. Your ticket includes individual samples of all three bakes!

Christmas Star Bread , a filled, show-stopper: An enriched dough is divided in two, rolled into perfect circles and filled with sweet mincemeat, chopped hazelnuts, choc chips and orange zest before being shaped into a large sharing star bread. Topped with an apricot jam glaze and hazelnuts to finish.

Christmas Frangipane Tart: A round short crust pastry tart filled with sweet mincemeat and a spiced almond frangipane. Topped with a whipped brandy cream, glace cherries and chopped pecan nuts.

Gingerbread Christmas Cake: A three layer gingerbread cake is assembled and covered in caramel icing. Topped with decorated biscuits and desiccated coconut to look like a Christmas scene.

Demo includes tips and techniques for the perfect finish!

Pop up restaurant nights

Hungry Gecko Supper Club Tasting Menu by Jackie Kearney

4th December – Jackie’s dishes are inspired by foodie travels from India to Indonesia with prices from £3. No need to book, please come along to the tipi starting from 2.30pm serving through to 8pm.

Jackie was a top 4 finalist in BBC1s Masterchef in 2011. She continues to develop her experience and reputation with pop-up dining events, a vegetarian fine-dining club and works with a number of highly regarded chefs in the UK. Her Supper Club Tasting Menu has been inspired by foodie travels from India to Indonesia.

Hungry Gecko Supper Club Tasting Menu

Appetisers

  • Pani puri pops with tamarind & pomegranate
  • Thai BBQ skewers with cucumber & peanut dip
  • Laos-style Laab with oyster mushrooms

Sharing Plates & Bowls

  • Malaysian Rendang – Slow cooked Malaysian curry with coconut, lemongrass & chilli
  • Khatte chole puri – Tea infused spiced chickpeas with fried puri bread
  • Hungry Gecko’s Dal Masala – Yellow dal with aubergine masala
  • Mama-ji’s Stuffed Paratha – Spiced flatbread stuffed with cauliflower & potato
  • Steamed jasmine rice

Dessert

  • Ginger’s Comfort Inspired Dessert – Baked Alaska with pistachio sponge, chai spiced ice cream & blackberry jam

Inca Pop Ups present 12 days of Christmas by Robert Owen Brown

11th and 12th December – £30 per person – 6.30pm for 7pm start

Created by Radcliffe-raised Chef Robert Owen-Brown, a true champion of the North with 30 years experience running some of the region’s finest restaurants and the author of crispy squirrel and Vimta trifle, Robert champions seasonal produce and northern food history. Join us for a sumptuous five-course, fine dining experience inspired by the well-known Christmas Carol – 12 days of Christmas – it promises to be a fabulous and unique evening!

12 Days of Christmas Menu

Seven Swans a Swimming – Swan Neck Vodka Bloody Mary Consomme.

Six Geese a Laying – Golden goose egg, Morecambe bay shrimps, crispy bacon and brioche

Four Calling Birds – Bird in a bird in a bird, sat in a pear tree, drumsticks and drums

Five Gold Rings – Christmas pudding beignet rings, honey syrup and brandy sauce ice cream

Lords a leaping & Pipers Piping – House of Lords whisky coffee, petticoat tales, cinnamon pipers

Nordic Supper Nights by Simon Wood

18th and 19th December- £30 per person – 6.30pm for 7pm start

2015 MasterChef Champion, Simon wowed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his menu inspired by classic flavour combinations. Since winning, he has been appointed executive chef of Oldham Event Centre part of Oldham Athletic Football Club where he’ll be working across fine dining events in the club and offering master classes. Simon’s three course Nordic supper experience promises to be a real treat.

Nordic Supper Nights Menu

Starter

Roasted Cod

Main Course Sweet buttered leeks, burnt leeks, pickled fennel, crispy chicken skin, fried goose breast, celery root two ways, parsley and dill oil

Dessert

Apples, apple cake with porter fudge caramel and hazelnut granola

Sunday Brunch

30th Nov, 6th, 13th, and 20th December, 10am – 2.30pm

Looking for something to do to warm up after ice skating? Our family Sunday Brunch will be just what you need! Offering a great range of scrumptious favourites from Pancakes, Brioche and Waffles, you and your family and friends aren’t going to want to miss out!

For more information, hop onto the dedicated website here. See you there!

RAxx