Manchester Art Fair is bringing together the worlds of contemporary art and fine dining this November, announcing a prestigious new three-night chef residency with Michelin-starred The Forest Side in Cumbria and Head Chef Paul Leonard.

In what will be the restaurant's first Manchester residency, Leonard will create bespoke dining experiences for leading art buyers, collectors and VIP guests at Manchester Central on 19-21 November 2026 bringing the flavours and seasonal produce of the Lake District to one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs. The residency marks a significant expansion of a successful collaboration in 2025, when Leonard and Manchester Central’s Executive Chef Matthew Hagan devised an exclusive lunch menu for the fair’s art buyers’ VIP lunch.

At The Forest Side in Grasmere, Leonard is renowned for his creative, ingredient-led approach to modern British cuisine, drawing inspiration from the Cumbrian landscape and its seasonal produce, including ingredients grown and foraged from the restaurant's 45-acre grounds. Under his leadership, the restaurant has retained its Michelin Star, first awarded in 2016, and was awarded a Michelin Green Star earlier this year in recognition of its commitment to sustainability and ingredient provenance. The hotel also received a Michelin Key in 2024.

The partnership reflects Manchester Art Fair’s ambition to offer its collecting community a Northern hospitality experience to match the calibre of the art on display, while further developing the fair as a destination for art, culture and contemporary lifestyle. The initiative has been championed by Manchester Art Fair Executive Chair Thom Hetherington, who was previously involved in the launch of Restaurant magazine and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards. With the introduction of the new residency, the fair is building on its ambition to offer Northern art buyers and collectors a hospitality experience comparable with that of leading international art fairs, while celebrating the exceptional culinary talent found here in the North.

Speaking on the residency, Thom Hetherington, Executive Chair at Manchester Art Fair, said: “Last year’s collaboration demonstrated just how naturally exceptional food and exceptional art sit together. We have spent many years building a serious community of collectors here in the North, and we want the experience we offer them to stand alongside that of the world’s leading art fairs.

“Paul is an extraordinary chef, and we are delighted to be taking the partnership a step further with a three-night residency. His creativity, attention to detail and commitment to the very best ingredients reflect the qualities we celebrate in the artists and galleries at Manchester Art Fair. It promises to be a very special addition to this year’s event.”

Paul Leonard, Head Chef at The Forest Side, said: “I really enjoyed being part of Manchester Art Fair last year, so the opportunity to return for a residency is an exciting one. There is a real connection between art and cooking: both are about creativity, craftsmanship and making something that stays with people.

“My cooking is very much shaped by Cumbria, its landscape and the people who produce such wonderful ingredients here. I’m looking forward to bringing a little of that to Manchester and creating something memorable for guests across the three days.”

Art buyers and collectors interested in attending one of the exclusive dining experiences are invited to register their interest online at www.manchesterartfair.co.uk/collector-lunch-expression-interest Places are limited and subject to availability.

Manchester Art Fair returns to Manchester Central from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November 2026, expanding to four days in what promises to be its biggest edition to date.

Bringing together more than 600 artists and 180 exhibitors, the fair will present work spanning established international names and emerging talent. Its enhanced programme includes VIP lunches, a dedicated Collector Programme offering guided tours and personal introductions, artist masterclasses, talks and workshops.

The 2026 edition follows a record year for Manchester Art Fair, which welcomed more than 10,300 visitors in 2025, with almost £1 million of art sold. Supported by leading names including Porsche, Boodles, San Carlo and Co-op Live, the fair continues to strengthen its position at the intersection of art, culture, and contemporary lifestyle.

Tickets are available now at manchesterartfair.co.uk, priced at £15 for a day ticket with return entry or £25 for a Preview Night ticket, including access throughout the weekend. A booking fee applies.