IT seems you can't move in Manchester for outdoor events. Any excuse is good enough for stallholders to set up shop in one of the city's many squares. Religious festivals, a changing of the seasons, payday - all these events are an open invitation for purveyors of spicy sausage and mulled wine to flog their wares to parched and hungry northerners - just don't get me started on the cows!

At times, the preferred venue, Albert Square, becomes the spitting image of its cockney counterpart minus, of course, the abysmal storylines and naff characters. So it's no surprise that the Olympics have inspired a two-week long gastronomy village, although gorging on dim sum and gateaux won't lead to physical perfection or gold medals except, perhaps, in the gluttony stakes.

Amusingly, I learned about the event on the same day that a step counter - a pedometer - landed on my desk with the accompanying blurb heralding the device as the first step on the road to fitness. But I digress.

However, if you are grazing at the 10 or so stalls that form part of the Great Outdoors Global Village, as it is known, how are you meant to keep up with the latest developments in Olympic softball, archery and canoeing?

Worry not, for those clever big screen folk have positioned the GOGV in Exchange Square so you can eat and watch. You could even catch a glimpse of the fencing while browsing the rails at Selfridges. It's like being at home, but better.

Eateries

Top eateries - including Wings, Zest and Dimitris - will be selling their goods alongside independent chefs and there will be food from the five continents. Special arrangements have even been made for GOGV customers to have a bevvy so that they can ogle athletes in skintight outfits tearing down the home straight while supping on some fine wine. Nice.

Yet the GOGV is not a market, so anyone looking for handmade soaps and big slabs of cheese will be disappointed. Think of it as an outdoor restaurant - like those you see on holiday without the ensuing smog and traffic that comes with al fresco dining in Manchester.

One of the establishments taking part is Greek restaurant Dimitris, on Deansgate. Owner Dimitri Griliopoulos is happy at what's happening in Exchange Sqaure. He says: "It's a great way of watching the Olympics. There'll be a really good atmosphere, because people will be eating good food and watching an amazing spectacle. And, of course being the only Greek restaurant in the city centre, we're very proud to be part of this event. "We'll be serving as much finger food as possible - we've got about 10 dips you can have with pitta bread. We've got souvlaki, Greek salad and moussaka. We're serving food that's easy to eat and doesn't leave too much mess behind. There will also be Greek wine on sale, and ouzo and Metaxa liqueur. For the opening ceremony, we'll stock up on kebabs.

"I think what they've done in Greece is very impressive. It's not a very rich country and they've had to build a lot of things from scratch. I'm not sure what the medal prospects are, but if the Games are a success then it doesn't matter because Greece will be a winner, anyway."

Great Outdoors Global Village, Exchange Square daily from 11am until 9pm, from August 13 to 28. The Village is part of Manchester City Council's Great Outdoors season of events. More information about these can be found on www.manchesterlive.co.uk or by calling Manchester Visitor Information Centre on 0161 234 3157.

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