Tameside-born chef Adam Reid has been tasked with developing a new celebratory dish that reflects the community, culture and history of Stalybridge. 

As part of his research and development for his Born and Bread project, Adam - twice winner of the Great British Menu and internationally-renowned Chef-Patron of Adam Reid at The French in Manchester - is inviting local restaurants, cafes and food businesses to create a Stalybridge Sandwich, which will be judged by Adam himself, and Esther Morrison, at Gongoozler Fest on 10 September.

A Stalybridge Sandwich!

Steven Dexter, co-founder of LOCAL, which is spearheading the initiative, said: “The new Stalybridge Sandwich creations will be judged by Adam at Gongoozler Fest, Stalybridge’s brand new canal festival taking place between 9-12 September 2022. The winning entry will be selected as the catering choice for Town of Culture events later in the year and crowned the Born and Bread Butty Challenge Champion!

"This winning Stalybridge Sandwich will also receive a large amount of press and local interest which can help to promote and platform the successful business.”

As part of the 2022 Greater Manchester Town of Culture celebrations, Adam has been asked to develop a dish that celebrates the unique culture and history of Stalybridge. 

Adam has been working with Tameside Local Studies Archive, Portland Basin Museum, church groups, food and drink businesses in the town, local food banks and an eclectic variety of community groups in order to research in every corner of the community.

The essential ingredients and inspiration

Steven continues: “Adam has supplied FOUR essential ingredients and some inspiration from the research he’s gathered over the past few weeks, from speaking to you, the public, and digging up heritage recipes and produce varieties from Tameside’s wonderful archives and institutions.

“Participating local businesses can include as much or as little in there as you like, it will be judged on the execution, slicing, presentation and how innovative it is.”

Key ingredients:

1. Bread - Use a bread baked in Stalybridge, but not in a supermarket - from local shops or your business' kitchen.

2. Pig - in celebration of the WW2 community shared pigs in yards across the town! This can be in the form of bacon, sausage, lomo, pulled pork etc. This can of course be substituted for any vegetarian or vegan ingredient, or other alternative, dependent upon your cultural choices.

3. Veg - Cucumber and/or tomatoes. These were sold in town from the glass houses at Ashton Moss.

4. Butter or butter alternative.

More locally-sourced ingredients - for inspiration only…

• Ashton Moss was world famous for its celery but also grew good cabbage, cauliflowers, radishes and lettuce, with cucumbers and tomatoes grown in glasshouses.
• Apples from locally grown trees
• Potatoes, because everyone involved in the research mentioned “Tata Hash”
• Tripe, not everyone’s favourite ingredient, but a modern day take or a vegan alternative could put Stalybridge on the map! During a cost of living crisis, it’s more important than ever to reduce waste.
• Black Peas 

Steven added: “We will work with and support you on your creative journey over the next couple of weeks, and can readily supply you with photographs from our research visits over the last couple of months. You can request access to some photographs from our research here and we will be producing a blog imminently to talk about our findings thus far.

“We're partnering with Industry Stalybridge. By taking part in this project, we'll ensure your business is promoted and offer you the opportunity to get involved in future events and networks that result.”

How to enter

If you would like to get involved, email hello@wearelocal.org.uk by Friday 2 September to register.

To enter, you must have:

- A kitchen premises with a food hygiene certificate

- Be a business local to Stalybridge (within one mile catchment area)

On the day of the event

- Please arrive at the Industry Stalybridge stall, which will be situated outside the Civic Hall, at 12.30-13.00. Judging will commence at 13:30. Award presented at 14.30

- Please prepare and bring three buttys. All three must use the same recipe that your business has created from our ingredients list. Please prepare and bring three buttys.

- All three must use the same recipe that your business has created from our ingredients list. Present one Butty for display, one chopped up into eight for the judges to try and one spare! If you are making one meat and one vegan option, then double up accordingly. 

Steven says: “All businesses that enter will receive promotion of their business and submission on the InTameside website and social media, and support will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. We hope that this event will form the start of a food and drink and creative network in Stalybridge, hosted by Industry Stalybridge, and supported by The Bridge Cultural Consortium.

“Born and Bread is funded and spearheaded by The Bridge - a four-year cultural heritage programme for Stalybridge - and produced by LOCAL, in partnership with Tameside Council. It aims to create a new cultural offer for Stalybridge, resulting in new reasons for people to visit this vibrant town, long after the Town of Culture 2022 celebrations have finished. Do get in touch with any questions, we look forward to seeing the results!”

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