Mancunian chef Mary-Ellen McTague is bringing North Down Mouth to the Southbank Centre. This speed tasting event offers five miniature courses of updated northern classics. Join her for a fun and relaxed dining experience overlooking the Thames in the heart of the Meltdown festival. Mary-Ellen grew up north of Bury, in Lancashire, and left university to cook for touring bands at Manchester’s Roadhouse. Keen to gain more experience, she became the first female chef at Michelin-starred country house hotel Sharrow Bay. She joined The Fat Duck in 2002 and progressed from the pastry section to become sous chef under Heston Blumenthal and Ashley Palmer-Watts. She then worked on historical research and development at The Hind’s Head, contributing dishes to The Fat Duck’s menu. In 2006 she left The Fat Duck and worked for Lancashire restaurateur Paul Heathcote before moving on to Ramsons, the award-winning restaurant in Ramsbottom. Aumbry opened in Prestwich on a shoestring, and has evolved to serve a thoughtful, contemporary British menu which draws on historical influences and the best and most unusual of British seasonal produce. Mary-Ellen appeared on BBC Two’s Great British Menu in 2013 and reached the north-west finals. Tasting is at the St Paul's Roof Pavilion at Royal Festival Hall. Runtime: 30 minutes. Please arrive on time as latecomers may not be admitted.