CHEFS A-Z
A selection of the best chefs and sandwich shops have been invited to create a never-seen-before sarnie each over one deliciously packed weekend. We have a different lineup for each day.
BEN LIPPETT
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Ben is a cook, food writer, recipe developer, and co-founder of Dr Sting's Hot Honey. Having spent years working at a spate of restaurants in the UK and Australia – including a brief but rewarding stint at a butcher's – Ben made the leap to food media. You'll now find him hosting dinners, writing recipes and at the helm of How I Cook, a weekly newsletter giving keen home chef's a guide to tips, seasonal home cooking and culture recs.
Instagram: @dinnerbyben
BIG SANDWICH ENERGY
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Sandwich lovers Helen Graves and Jon Parry have united over their passion for things in bread. They’ll bring bold flavours, party vibes and most importantly: BIG SANDWICH ENERGY.
Instagram: @foodstories
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THE BLACK PIG
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With backgrounds in street food and a love of big flavours - Nick and Tessa started The Black Pig in 2019 with a single goal to make the best sandwich around. Based at Borough Market, they are champions of the slow food movement and source ingredients accordingly. Pulling BBQ influence from Nick’s time in the southern states and time scouring NYC for the best subs on offer, the sandwiches deliver a balanced bite with unique flavours.
Instagram: @theblackpig_ldn
THE BODEGA
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The Bodega is a New York inspired Sandwich shop based on Norwich Market. Run by Chef Edd Watkinson it offers a variety of different sandwiches with flavour combinations from around the world. The Bodega has been open for a little under 2 years now and has expanded into pop ups in other local businesses and at events. In 2023 The Bodega won best newcomer in The East of England Food & Drink awards.
Instagram: @bodega175_norwich
BROSS BAGELS
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Mama Bross brought Montreal’s bagels to Scotland and escalated the sandwich scene to a HOLE new level.
Instagram: @bross_bagels
THE CHEESE TRUCK
Instagram: @thecheesetruck
DEENEY'S
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Deeney’s was born in an East London market stall back in 2012 and thrives under the husband and wife team, Patrick and Carol. The inspiration for Deeney’s grew organically from a proud Scottish heritage and the nostalgia of Carol Deeney's childhood spent in her mother’s cafe in the northeast of Scotland.
Today Deeney's have locations in Leyton, Walthamstow, Thailand and Japan. They’ve stayed true to our roots and still maintain our Saturday market stall on Broadway Market.
Instagram: @deeneys
HAPPY ENDINGS
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Terri Mercieca is an ice cream maker, chocolatier, dessert chef and the founder of Happy Endings LDN, a dessert business made famous by their signature ice-cream sandwich. As a chef, desserts have always been Terri’s thing.
In 2014, she put down roots in London and founded Happy Endings LDN – since then, she has won the YBF Baking Award and been nominated for CODE Hospitality’s Most Influential Women in Food 2023. She also regularly contributes dessert recipes to food magazines and appears on TV, most recently MasterChef Youth.
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Instagram: @happyendingsldn
KÊU
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Kêu deli is London’s destination for authentic Saigon-style street food and after 15 successful years in the business, has become the go-to sub spot for original Vietnamese Banh Mi for hungry customers. Delivering the original goodness day through night Kêu Banh Mi brings saucy, fresh, spicy, sticky flavour in every bite.
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Instagram: @keudelilondon
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LIAM BARKER
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Liam Barker began his culinary career at London’s Corrigan’s Mayfair, known for their bold flavors and refined riffs on traditional British cooking. Upon departing Corrigan’s, Liam started his own Caribbean food pop-up concept showcasing his food, heavily influenced by Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and the Colombian coast, across London and Stockholm. He manages this as well as his brand @chef.liam, and his latest project 'food education' on youtube where his goal is to teach how we can all be more sustainable in our use of food, as well as bridge the gap in food education.
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Instagram: @chef.liam
CHEFS A-Z
A selection of the best chefs and sandwich shops have been invited to create a never-seen-before sarnie each over one deliciously packed weekend.
BADA BING SANDWICH DELI
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Bada Bing is a popular sandwich deli in the heart of Manchester city centre, founded by Sam Gormally and Josh Urpi—two local lads who met a decade ago while attending university in this very city. With a Sopranos-inspired name, they’ve been serving up Italian-American style sandwiches to the masses for several years now. After a brief break, they reopened in September last year in their very own spot in the Northern Quarter, featuring both indoor seating and soon-to-be outdoor seating. With their ‘open until it’s all gone’ approach, they often sell out, and it’s safe to say Bada Bing has become a household name in a city already known for its frenzied food scene.
Instagram: @badabingsandwichdeli
THE BEESWING
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Nestled on the terrace at Kampus in Manchester, The Beeswing Wine Bar is a cosy and relaxed wine bar serving a seasonal, Spanish-inspired tapas menu. From traditional soft, oozy tortilla Española to the show-stopping Iberico collar, the dishes are perfectly complemented by a thoughtfully crafted, “seriously not serious” wine list curated by owner Anna.
Enjoy all wines by the glass or indulge in a wine flight for a taste of a wider variety of wines. Whether you’re unwinding after work or joining friends for relaxed weekend indulgence, join us on the terrace for a chilled escape in the heart of Manchester.
Instagram: @thebeeswingmcr
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THE BODEGA
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The Bodega is a New York inspired Sandwich shop based on Norwich Market. Run by Chef Edd Watkinson it offers a variety of different sandwiches with flavour combinations from around the world. The Bodega has been open for a little under 2 years now and has expanded into pop ups in other local businesses and at events. In 2023 The Bodega won best newcomer in The East of England Food & Drink awards.
Instagram: @bodega175_norwich
CASTRO'S
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Hola Amigos! We're Borja and Tasha, the duo behind our Canarian Sandwich and Tapas bar - Castros. After years in hospitality, we decided to put our heads together and bring a taste of the Canary Islands to Liverpool's city centre. Originally from Tenerife, Borja brings the authentic Canarian flavour to our food. Our menu is inspired by recipes from his Nan and Aunties, prepared using fresh ingredients and a lot of love.
Think boss flavour and laid-back vibes. Whether you're craving a butty on your lunch break or an afternoon spent sipping on sangria and eating some tapas, we've got you covered. We have been open for just over two and a half years and are so proud of the community that we have built. This is just the beginning – VAMOSSS !!!
Instagram: @castros_liverpool
KOLAB
KOLAB is an independent eatery & concept store based at Kampus. Owned by couple Sophie & Stephen, KOLAB is situated within Makers Quarter where they teach creativity & celebrate independent brands. The tableware for the restaurants being crafted in-house by their talented pottery tutors. Open plan, the restaurant features 30 covers with a further 40 on the private sun terrace overlooking Kampus gardens - perfect for sunny days & hosting events.
Choose to eat in or takeaway; KOLAB specialises in breakfast & lunch serving up generous, vibrant portions & delicious coffee. They pride themselves in “having something for everyone, no matter what you fancy”. Choose from the hearty breakfast menu, showcasing towering homemade Hash brown with truffle creme fraîche & eggs, or healthier options such as the Copenhagen served on Rye toast.
For lunch choose from daily specials including chunky sandwiches on fluffy Focaccia or opt for rotating salad bar, filled with mounds of vibrant dishes to choose from - Heritage Tomatoes with Pickled Shallots & Basil Oil, Super green Salad & Candied Beetroot with Goat’s Cheese. Indulge in Hot dishes such as Gochujang Crispy Chicken Thigh, the ultra comforting Dauphinoise Potato Pie or veggie options such as torched Miso courgette & Tikka Cauliflower.
KOLAB - the place to MAKE. EAT. SHOP
Instagram: @makersquarter_uk
MARLEO
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At 33 years old, the chef behind Marleo Sicilian Street Food is a proud native of Sicily Leonardo Augello, bringing the bold, rustic flavors of his homeland to the streets of Manchester. Raised in a culture where food is a celebration of life, he discovered his passion early, inspired by the vibrant street food scene and the comforting dishes of his childhood.
Now, he’s building a dream alongside his partner Maria Croitoru — Marleo, a culinary venture that blends tradition with creativity. His cooking is deeply rooted in Sicilian heritage, with one ingredient holding a special place in his heart: porchetta. Slow-roasted, seasoned to perfection, and bursting with flavor, porchetta represents everything he loves about Sicilian cuisine — simplicity, richness, and soul.
At the Sarnie Party, Chef Leonardo and Maria will showcase their love for combining tradition and innovation, creating sandwiches that celebrate both his Sicilian roots and his adopted Manchester spirit. Every bite tells a story of tradition, passion, and the joy of sharing good food.
Instagram: @marleo_sicilian_streetfood
NELL'S PIZZA
Peggy Ulyott heads up Nell’s Ices, creating their little discs of joy from her Manchester based bakery, tucked under the arches in Piccadilly. Yorkshire-born and dessert-obsessed, Peggy joined Nell’s following two years managing viral dessert spot Humble Crumble at Borough Market.
Peggy makes everything (except the ice cream, which comes from the incredible Cheshire Farm) from scratch; think cookie dough, caramel, marshmallow, ganache...and builds each sandwich by hand too.
Peggy designs each menu, and her favourite part of the job is Research & Development, dreaming up new flavours, following foodie trends (cherry & pistachio fan forever), and getting inspo from bakeries she finds scrolling IG at midnight!
Instagram: @nellspizza
OSMA
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Manchester born and bred Danielle Heron honed her skills at the brilliant L’Enclume before heading to the three Michelin-starred Maaemo in Oslo. Along with her partner Sofie, she helmed the acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant, Osma, in Prestwich for five years before announcing their big move to Manchester city centre - soon to come!
Shortlisted in the 'I Love MCR' Awards Most-Loved Chef category, Dani's cooking is all about serving up taste experiences with a relaxed edge, showcasing local produce and global flavours. Dani has also previously featured on BBC’s Great British Menu, reaching the national finals. Most recently, she competed in MasterChef: The Professionals in November 2025, wowing the judges and critics with her inventive dishes.
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Instagram: @osmakitchenbar
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RACK
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Rack began as a humble food truck in 2018, serving gourmet sandwiches at markets and festivals across Greater Manchester and the North. Fuelled by a passion for uplifting the humble butty, in 2021 we transformed our mobile venture into a brick-and-mortar sandwich shop in Stockport, quickly followed by sites in Manchester Arndale and Sale, offering an elevated alternative to the mundane meal-deal.
Rack has carved a niche by straddling the gap between a traditional butty shop and a trend-forward lunch spot.
Alongside our own shops, Rack now supplies wholesale sandwiches to local independents, spreading our trademark style across Manchester’s café counters and helping keep the city’s food scene independent and delicious.
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Instagram: @rackmcr
