Manchester’s new events, music, and food and drink destination, New Century, located between Victoria Station and Shudehill in the 20 acre NOMA neighbourhood, has opened its 10,000 sqft kitchens for the first time. The stellar line up of independent food traders are now serving in their new Manchester home housed within the remarkable Grade II listed building to become the social heart of New Century.
Sitting beneath the fabulous new live music and events venue set to open later next month, the kitchens are home to six independent traders including Adam Reid with his brand new concept ‘The Butty Shop’. Guests can feast on old-school butty flavours like ham salad or cheese, and sides like potato salad and gherkins. The Butty Shop aims to bring the British butty back to life, with classic Northern flavours built on the memories of childhood visits to the bakery.
You’ll also find Zumuku Sushi, bringing independent Japanese cuisine to the table. After doing two years of training in Japan, sushi chef Benjie took the plunge with his wife Flora and long term friend Hyacinth to set up the first Zumuku takeaway in Wilmslow in 2018.
Since then Zumuku has expanded across Manchester and the surrounding areas, with branches in Bolton, Cheadle, Didsbury, Ramsbottom, Sale and Worsley. New Century will become home to the seventh Zumuku site and the first in the Manchester city centre, where diners can expect authentic, fresh sushi as well as other Japanese favourites such as katsu curries and noodle dishes.
Banh Vi will be bringing their unique, plant-based Asian food to New Century. Guests can enjoy classics like the Banh Mi OG with 24 hour tofu, mushroom pate, pickles, lettuce, cucumber, coriander mayo, hoisin, coriander, chilli and lime. As well as classics, New Century diners can expect plant based treats like mushroom wings with herb mayo and Vietnamese coffee.
Classically trained chef Tom Lowe is the next trader joining the New Century roster. Taking inspiration from the great steakhouses of the UK and Europe and his passion for well bred, native beef, Tallow will use only sustainably sourced, 28 day dry aged beef from local butchers. The beef will be included in dishes like the Tallow cheeseburger, a prime beef patty, smoked cheese, caramelised onions, peppercorn mayo, bun, and koffmann fries.
2021 British Street Food Awards ‘People’s Choice’ winners, BaoBros23 are also bringing their beautiful bao buns to Manchester for the first time. Guests can expect weekly changing bao buns including the likes of the Kyoto Cluck Cluck with Panko-crumbed chicken breast, crispy shallots, pomegranate, wombok, pickled daikon slaw and sriracha mayo. As well as the bao buns, guests can enjoy dishes like chilli ginger fries and katsu curry halloumi, plus desserts with Asian inspirations and global ingredients.
Northern Quarter favourites PLY complete the core New Century line up with their elevated pizza concept, Wild by Ply. Collaborating exclusively with Wildfarmed, chef Carl Fraenki-Retti has developed his recipe using their biodynamic flour to create a 24-hour slow proved dough, which forms the basis of a vibrant menu of pizzas with a range of seasonal toppings. Each pizza will be cooked in one of the only electric pizza ovens at the helm of New Century’s ground floor, with all the dough made daily on the premises and hand stretched.
This vibrant selection of the best independent food from the most exciting culinary talent will sit alongside local beers, wines, a creative cocktail menu and artisan coffees, teas, juices and smoothies.
The mid century design by Sheila Bird Studio is inspired by the Grade II listed building’s original 60s features which have been restored and replicated with beautiful mid century interiors throughout. The space will spill outside onto Sadler’s Yard for al fresco dining, drinking and regular events like the family friendly day on Saturday 24th September.
As well as the kitchens, music and events venue above, the ground floor will be home to Access Creative College, an established national college (that counts Ed Sheeran as one of its alumni and a Patron), which specialises in kick-starting careers in the creative industry. New Century will be home to the college’s third site in the city with degree-level courses in music, games and computing delivered by the innovative educational provider, DBS Institute, plus the campus will boast a media centre, production pods and the opportunity to experience work in a live venue within the same building.
The live music and events venue upstairs in the lovingly restored New Century Hall will be opening in September.
New Century’s kitchens are now open from 11am until late. Find these traders at New Century, 34 Hanover St, M4 4AH.