Manchester food experience company Food Escapes has launched a new corporate offering as businesses increasingly look beyond traditional hospitality towards immersive corporate experiences.
With the growing demand for experiences that combine socialising with participation, the global immersive entertainment market is projected to grow from £98bn in 2025 to £351bn by 2030.
Food Escapes is tapping into that trend with a city-wide experience designed specifically for teams of up to 130 employees, offering an alternative to the traditional Christmas party, team dinner or drinks reception.
New for 2026, the Manchester-based business combines food, puzzles and city exploration, sending teams across Manchester to solve challenges delivered directly to their phones. Along the way, clues lead groups to three secret restaurants, where they enjoy a curated dish before continuing to their next destination.
The experience is designed to make the city itself part of the event, with teams exploring Manchester’s independent food and drink scene while navigating its streets, solving puzzles and competing to top the leaderboard.
With corporate packages available for groups of four to 130 people, prices start at £40 per person, including the full experience and food. Businesses can choose from a range of food-led games including the Dumpling Trail, Los Tacos and Indian Street Eats, covering areas including the Northern Quarter, Chinatown and Ancoats.
Food Escapes was founded by Aaron Winsloe, former Managing Director of MyProtein at THG. Having previously worked in a high-growth, consumer-focused business, Winsloe says changing expectations around how people spend their time are creating new opportunities in corporate hospitality. He comments; “We’re seeing a shift in what people want from their corporate experiences. ‘Immersive’ has become a buzzword, but the experiences that really stand out are those which are unique that nobody has done before.
“That’s what we wanted to create with Food Escapes, something where teams solve puzzles together, explore the city and enjoy great food. It’s unique, it’s social, it’s memorable and gives businesses a Christmas activity that people will genuinely want to take part in.”