Manchester Food and Drink Festival kicks off in style with beers and BBQs for 25th anniversary

Manchester Food and Drink Festival kicked off in style today as hundreds braved the rain to enjoy beers and BBQs.

The two-week event opened in Cathedral Gardens to celebrates its 25th anniversary. Despite the grey skies, the festival's outdoor hub - situated next to the Urbis building, was full of life as street food vendors fired up the cookers.

Outdoor seating has been laid out and visitors can now checkout the covered beer tent where Manchester brewers Joseph Holt will be commandeering the festival bar. Festival Fire Pit Takeover is new for this year, with top chefs Caroline Martins, Robert Owen Brown and Francisco Martinez bringing their BBQ flavours.

One of the main attractions at the festival, which lasts from September 22 to October 2, is the street food village., which is free to enter. The artisan food and drink market also returns, showcasing a plethora of local and homegrown talent with everything from artisan spirts and doughnuts to handmade biscuits and health-boosting juices.

Read more: Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2022 reveals final line-up

Over the next two weeks there will be a rotation of street food vendors serving up delicious food across the festival hub. Split into two halves, the first line-up - running from September 22 to 25 features fresh slices of pizza from II Forno, Japanese street food from Super Bao, Ethiopian 'soul' food from House of Habesha, plus chippy teas from Hip Hop Chip Shop.

They're joined by Meksikan, Mi & Pho, Heavenly Indian and Cafe Cannoli - the latter serving up delicious Sicilian street food. Guzzle will be on hand with a fresh supply of coffee and ice cream.

From 29 September to 2 October, Senor Paella will showcase their Spanish delicacies, while burgers will come