Popular family-run pub announces 'first-of-its-kind' Rochdale food festival
The festival will feature 12 independent food vendors serving up pizza, tacos and biriyanis
This weekend will see a 'first-of-its-kind' festival take place in Rochdale, as one of the area's most beloved pubs launches a new food event.
The Oxford Pub has confirmed that it will be hosting its first food festival this Saturday. The Greater Manchester pub has become known for its events including its mini Christmas Markets, and more recently their chocolate festival.
Over the course of an afternoon, festival-goers will be able to try a number of treats from over a dozen different independent food vendors heading to Shawclough for the celebration.
Team McNeeney, the family behind the much-loved community pub have added a slew of new events to their line up this year.
After a decade of success with their Christmas Market, they launched a cheese and wine festivals, sponsored walks with Springhill Hospice and most recently hosting Rochdale’s first ever Chocolate festival with legendary chocolatiers Slattery of Whitefield.
The latter drew hundreds to the pub and even got a mention in the House of Commons.
Building on its own food offer, Saturday will hopefully see hundreds descend on the popular Shawclough eatery from midday until 6:30pm for an independent foodie festival.
Bringing together some incredible independent food vendors from all over Rochdale and beyond, visitors can expect food from the likes of Little Blonde Bakes, Cugini Pizza, Zakis Street Food and Fishop Fishmongers.
Everything from fresh oysters to top tier biriyanis, plus woodfired pizzas and street tacos are making their way to Whitworth Road.
There’ will be a covered area if the weather isn’t playing ball too, so there’s plenty of dry space to enjoy the flavours of the world even if the rain makes an appearance,.
Alongside the vendors, the family are getting involved too. Siblings Ella and Tom are throwing open their own tapas stall for the afternoon, dishing out croquettes and patatas bravas, chorizo stews, and pardon peppers - and there will be a dedicated sangria bar too.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, pub landlord Tom McNeeney said: "After the success of the chocolate festival when around a thousand people supported Slattery and us, we're really excited to be doing a food festival with 12 small businesses, and most are family run.
"We're not the first to do a food festival but we're really proud to invite all these businesses and community around the pub to another big event with a real focus on the people around us and an event that feels special for everyone.
The Oxford Food Festival takes place at The Oxford Pub, Whitworth Road, Rochdale, OL12 0TB.
It is free to attend and will run on Saturday, 14 June from 12pm until 6:30pm.