A brand new immersive food concept, Food Escapes, is launching in Manchester, bringing together interactive puzzles and dining in a format designed to celebrate the city’s vibrant food and drink scene.
Founded by Manchester-based entrepreneur and former managing director of Myprotein UK at The Hut Group (THG) Aaron Winsloe (pictured), Food Escapes has been created in response to the growing demand for experiential activities and competitive socialising.
Launching in partnership with leading independent eateries across the city, including vendors inside Mackie Mayor, House of Social and Hello Oriental, the concept, a first for Manchester, invites players to follow a trail of clues delivered via WhatsApp, with answers hidden in the city’s architecture. Successfully solving each stage unlocks access to a series of three secret dining locations, where guests can enjoy a curated dish included as part of the ticketed experience.
Food Escapes is designed to appeal to both consumers and corporate groups, with eight themed routes tailored around culinary themes such as dumplings, tacos and brunch, on offer. Each journey is mapped across key Manchester districts such as the Northern Quarter, Chinatown and Ancoats, driving footfall to new and established hospitality hubs.
In line with the growing demand for competitive socialising, the format introduces a timed, gamified element, as participants can compete for leaderboard positions, with the game paused at each venue to maintain a high-quality dining experience.
Founder Aaron Winsloe brings a decade of global e-commerce experience to the venture, having previously spearheaded the international expansion of THG’s Myprotein into Asia and their Beauty division in the USA. He comments; “Food Escapes is about creating something you simply cannot replicate digitally or with AI; an experience that’s immersive, hands-on and brings people together in a genuinely fun and interactive way.
“It’s a concept shaped by my background in e-commerce combined with my love of international cuisine and geocaching. Bringing those elements together felt like a natural way to tap into the growing appetite for experience-led activities.
“I grew up surrounded by different cuisines and cultures, and Food Escapes is really a reflection of that – blending a love of global flavours with a sense of curiosity, discovery and adventure. Manchester has one of the most exciting and diverse food scenes in the UK, and we want to celebrate that by offering a completely new way to explore it.”
Tickets for Food Escapes are now available, and start from £40 per person when you use code LAUNCH20 for an introductory 20% off, valid until 31 August 2026, available to purchase now at foodescapes.com. Additional discounts available for larger groups and team-building events.
