TODAY

Public Judging of the Best Sausage in Greater Manchester - Farmers' Market, St Ann's Square, Manchester. 1pm-3pm.

Italian Food and Wine Tasting - An informal tasting of a range of wines and food from Italy. Love Saves the Day, Deansgate, Manchester (0161 834 2266). 6pm.

Oyster Festival - Waxy O'Connors, The Printworks. Also tomorrow and Sunday.

TOMORROW

Champagne Tasting - Jem Cowan introduces Pol Roger for a champagne tasting session. Establishment, Spring Gardens, Manchester (0161 839 6300). 11.30am-1pm. é25.

Chef Demonstration - With Harvey Nichols' Head Chef Robert Craggs. Harvey Nichols, Exchange Square, Manchester (0161 828 8888). 11.30am. Free.

All The Tea In China - Find out about the history and health benefits of tea with a talk by Giles Hilton from Whittard of Chelsea. Chinese Arts Centre, Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester (0161 832 7271). 3pm-5pm. Free.

Cheese and Wine Party - Organised by Oddbins in association with the Cheese Hamlet. Oddbins, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester (0161 448 2244 or 0161 434 4781). 1pm-early evening.

Deli-Counter Tastings - Mossley Wholefoods, Arundel Street, Mossley (01457 837743). 1pm-3pm.

SUNDAY

Italian Evening in aid of the Kirsty Appeal - A hot buffet dinner and dance in aid of the Kirsty Appeal. Cocotoo, Whitworth Street West, Manchester (0161 237 5458). 5pm. é20.

Magic at the Midland - Afternoon tea featuring entertainment from Canon Williamson Church of England High School. The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester. 2pm. é8, é16. More information from Kath Cooper on 0161 799 3968.

Elizabeth Raffald Dinner - A three-course dinner using recipes from Manchester's 18th century ``Mrs Beaton'' cooked as in 1789, using local produce. Isinglass, 46 Flixton Road, Urmston (0161 749 8400). 7.30pm. é25.

Mid Autumn Festival and Chinese National Day Celebration - Celebrate Chinese National Day in Chinatown with a carnival spirit. Chinatown, city centre.

Mushroom Fest - Naturalist Alan Bamforth leads a countryside event on a fungi theme Park Bridge Heritage Centre, The Stables, Park Bridge, Ashton-u-Lyne (0161 330 9613). 11am-3.30pm. Free.

MONDAY

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall Book Signing - The top chef will be signing copies of Meat, his latest cookery book at Waterstone's, St Ann's Square, Manchester (0161 832 0424). 12.30pm. Free.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - The River Cottage chef prepares a selection of recipes from his new book Meat in a cookery demonstration. Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester (0161 907 9000). 8pm. é10-é15.

Food and Drink Quiz - The Bar, Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester (0161 861 7576). 9pm. Free.

Who Ate All The Pies? - Official launch of the evening pie menu at Tom's Chop House, 52 Cross Street, Manchester (0161 832 2245).

Food and Drink Quiz Night - é50 on offer to the winning team. The Witchwood, Old Street, Ashton-u-Lyne (0161 344 0321). 8pm. é1, proceeds to Christie Hospital.

TUESDAY

Malcolm Gluck - Top wine buff Malcolm Gluck signs copies of his latest book, Superplonk 2005. Waterstone's, Deansgate, Manchester (0161 837 3000). 7pm. é3, refundable against cost of book.

Moso Moso Wine Tasting - Leading Manchester restaurateur and chef Raymond Wong opens up his wine cellar at Moso Moso, Oxford Road, Manchester (0161 2733373).

Wine and Dim Sum Tasting - Presented by Wing's Restaurant (Lincoln Square) and Oddbins (Cooper Street). Chinese Arts Centre, Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester (0161 832 7271). 6pm-8pm. é8, é10.

Sicilian Banquet - Stock Restaurant, Norfolk Street, Manchester (0161 839 6644). 7.30pm. é26.

Charity Roulette Evening and Dinner - Special menu from Tuscany region and live Italian music accompany this casino-style evening. Est Est Est, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester (0161 445 8209). 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY

Sixties Revisited - 1960s theme night. Market Restaurant, High Street, Manchester (0161 834 3743). 7.30pm. é25.

Establishment Game Dinner - Ian Morgan, executive head chef and National Chef of the Year 2004 nominee, prepares a five-course gaming dinner. Establishment, Spring Gardens, Manchester (0161 839 6300). 7.30pm. é75, includes wine.

Smithfield Wine Tasting Event - Tiger Tiger Loft, The Printworks, Manchester (0161 273 6070). 7.30pm. é5, refundable if you order wine on the night.

Wine Tasting - Experts from Boutinot Wine take guests through wines for all occasions while a tapas style buffet, freshly prepared by Cafe Muse chefs is served. Café Muse, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester (0161 275 3220). 7.30pm. é2.

Nutters' Food Glorious Food - A showcase of the finest ingredients from the north west from top chef Andrew Nutter. Nutters, Edenfield road, Rochdale (01706 650167). 7.30pm. é50.

Supermarkets: Food Saints or Sinners? - A debate about the power of the big supermarkets. Isinglass, Flixton Rd, Urmston (0161 749 8400). 7pm. Free.

Campania Banquet - Stock Restaurant, Norfolk Street, Manchester (0161 839 6644). 7.30pm. é26.

Food and Wine Matching with Fiona Beckett and David Austin - The Lowry Hotel, Dearman's Place, Chapel Wharf, Salford (0161 8274000). 7.30pm.

Hedgerow Harvest - Countryside event from Tameside Countryside Service. Park Bridge Heritage Centre, The Stables, Park Bridge, Ashton-u-Lyne (0161 330 9613). 7.30pm. é2.50.

Millstone Brewery Tour - Millstone Brewery, Unit 4,Vale Mill, Micklehurst Road, Mossley (01457 835835). 7.30pm. é6, includes light buffet supper. Places limited to 20.

THURSDAY

Cocktail Competition Final - Obsidian, Princess Street, Manchester (0161 238 4348). 6.30pm. Free.

A Festival Is Not Enough - Music from singer Jenny Sawdon. Tiger Tiger Loft, The Printworks, Manchester (0161 385 8080). 7.30pm.

Student Cookery Demonstration - Student cookbook author and food and wine expert Fiona Beckett stages a cookery demonstration and signs copies of her books Beyond Baked Beans: Real Food For Students and Beyond Baked Beans Green. KroBar , Oxford Road, Manchester (0161 274 3100). 1pm. Free.

North West Cheese-Board Challenge - Sponsored by North West Fine Foods, Love Saves the Day, and Butler's Farmhouse Cheeses. Love Saves the Day, Tib Street, Manchester (0161 832 0777). 7.30pm. é6, é7.

Piemonte Banquet - Stock Restaurant, Norfolk Street, Manchester (0161 839 6644). 7.30pm. é26.

Manchester Dishes - A showcase demonstration of the best of Manchester's dishes from top chef Andrew Nutter. Nutters, Edenfield road, Rochdale (01706 650167). Demonstration from 11am, followed by three course lunch. é40.

Nepenthe Night - One of Australia's premier wine producers showcase their range of wines. Reserve, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester (0161 438 0101). 7.30pm. Tickets limited to 30 only.

Poetry Evening - Themed on food and drink, naturally. Astley Cheetham Art Gallery, Trinity St, Stalybridge (0161 338 6767). 7.30pm.

FOR more information on all these events and others in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival, pick up a brochure at selected outlets across the city or visit the festival website at www.foodanddrinkfestival.com

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