THERE'S plenty for visitors to Nottingham to sink their teeth into, from posh nosh to fish and chips, when the city celebrates Food and Drink Fortnight.
Now in its second year, the culinary extravaganza offers a mighty serving of bargain deals, stalls and foodie challenges.
From September 13 to 27 some of the city's favourite restaurants, pubs and cafes are running special menus for £10 a head.
The half-way highlight is an Indian summer-themed food and drink market in the newly-refurbished Trinity Square from September 19-20. As well as round-the-world food stalls – Jamie's Italian, MemSaab's spicy Indian food, Turkish delights from Antayla and Greek kebabs from Yamas – with freebies, tasters and discount vouchers, there will be live music and street performers, including belly dancing and snake charmers.
Visitors can try their hand at making a mocktail and those who like it hot can compete in a chilli eating competition run by Barburrito.
A whooping appetite is required for a Man v Burger Challenge organised by the Pit and Pendulum.
"It's a focaccia bun, four burgers, six onion rings, four bacon and cheese with a massive skewer through the middle," says Freya Parish, assistant manager at the pub where it used to be on the menu.
"It is big. It has been done. The record was 14 minutes. We worked it out that it has around 1,600 calories."
Amongst the venues offering the £10 deal is the Hand and Heart, the Canning Circus pub where diners have the added bonus of eating in a cave with twinkling lights. Steak and ale pie with half a pint of ale or butternut salad and a small glass of house wine awaits customers.
Manager Ruth Woolston says: "At the Hand and Heart we focus on traditional British cooking using the freshest local ingredients we can source and also serve a great selection of locally-brewed ales.
"The Nottingham Food and Drink Fortnight is an ideal opportunity to celebrate the wide variety of national and international fare on offer here."
Others offering the £10 deal include World Service, Chino Latino, Nada Budaya, the Rum House, Yamas, Wired Cafe and Moulin Rouge chippy.
According to Experience Nottinghamshire, the city has more pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants per square mile than any other city in the UK.
The event, organised by the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID), aims to drive visitors to the city centre to experience new flavours and surroundings – or simply enjoy familiar old favourites – with hundreds of eateries catering for every taste and budget, from top quality restaurants to quirky delis offering the finest local produce and great pubs specialising in real ales.
Tom Waldron-Lynch, vice-chairman of the Nottingham BID and general manager of Chino Latino and the Park Plaza Hotel, says: "Our city has a fantastic food and drink offering that we believe is unrivalled in the region and we want as many people as possible to experience it.
"The vibrant, multicultural scene is reflected in the huge variety of international flavours we're able to offer – from Moroccan to Malaysian, Indian to Austrian. We have them all in Nottingham and they're creating some very exciting dishes and flavour combinations.
"Let's not forget all our great cafés, delis, pubs and bars too that are key elements of our great food and drink offering."
The BID has also secured free city centre parking after 4pm when using the RingGo system – plus there will be 400 free parking spaces all day on September 20 at NCP Mount Street car park, plus special deals with Nottingham City Transport's Group Rider Ticket.
All the details can be found in a Food and Drink Fortnight guide, which will be distributed to homes across Nottingham and city centre businesses.
For the latest details go to ww.itsinnottingham.com.
* GREAT British Bake Off Winner Frances Quinn will be showing off her skills in Nottingham during Food and Drink Fortnight.
The former Nottingham Trent University graduate will be demonstrating at intu Victoria Centre on Saturday September 13 (near Boots) at 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm. The following day local chef Ashley Rolfe will be demonstrating between 11am-4pm.
At intu Broadmarsh there will be children's activities on both days.
Vegetable entertainer Madame Zucchini will present her 'Pirates of the Carrot-bean' show and Johnnie Cupcakes will be cake decorating.
Free recipe books featuring local recipes from all the cities with intu centres, will be given away at Broadmarsh and Victoria.
Weavers, in Castle Gate, is inviting the public to drop in to try recommended wines and enjoy an introduction to the world of wine tasting, from 11am-4pm on September 13.
MemSaab owner Amita Sawhney and twice Michelin star chef Atul Kochhar will be hosting the restaurant's annual charity dinner in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and Kenya Children Centres on Sunday September 21. Enjoy a four course meal paired with complimentary wines and entertainment throughout the evening including live cooking demonstrations from Atul.
