It isn’t often that you get the opportunity to be in a room with over one hundred women, particularly in a business setting, but this year Lucky Cat teamed up with The Wellness Tribe to prove that the sisterhood is well and truly thriving in 2026.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, The Mancunion was invited to attend an event hosted by The Wellness Tribe, a female led business which hosts wellness retreats for women around Europe.
Set in the Northern Quarter’s Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsey, ‘luxury’ was very much the word of the day. The event’s price tag was the only drawback, as events like these would undoubtedly be beneficial for all women.
Upon arrival, everyone was served a speciality margarita which had been designed for the day with 818 Tequila, a female founded brand which was sponsoring the event. The drink was delightfully smooth with a delicate sweetness to it which masked the brunt of the tequila flavour making it a delicious cocktail, but perhaps not a celebration of the liquor.
Upon being seated, each guest received a jam-packed goodie bag with everything from an oral B12 spray to collagen lip balm and a miniature golden lucky cat chopstick holder which served as a perfect memento.
Unsurprisingly, the food was both excellent and plentiful. We began with asparagus and avocado maki, edamame beans and a pea guacamole which served as a fresh starter that left everyone wanting more. The pea guacamole was the true standout here, acting as an unexpected twist on a classic which was distinctly moreish, leaving me wishing only that there had been more crackers to scoop it up with.
Each main course was staggered, with small plates being brought out every ten minutes or so to be shared around the table, encouraging the small talk and connection between attendees upon which the event depended.
As a vegetarian, I sampled mushroom tempura with a black garlic emulsion, tofu bao buns and Gordon’s fried tofu. Whilst the tofu was not the best I’ve had in Manchester, the egg fried rice was certainly a standout dish.
Mixed table side by servers to add a touch of theatre, this dish an unexpected centrepiece. Lightly spiced with a delicious blend between the richness of the egg and umami of the sauce, offset by the crunch of spring onions, this was an undoubted favourite. Every element felt well thought through, proving that even something as simple as egg fried rice can well and truly shine when given the proper care and attention. For any students looking for somewhere to go courtesy of the Bank of Mum and Dad for graduation, Lucky Cat should definitely be in the running.
The food was followed by a panel discussion and Q&A from Hair Syrup founder Lucie Macleod, Georgia Smith, founder of Balanced Boss, and social media and marketing expert Farron Clark — three exceptional women in business who brought their inspiring stories to the day. Each had a unique perspective and expertise which they were more than willing to share, embodying the ethos of the event of women lifting up other women. Proving that we do not live in a post feminist era, it was so refreshing to be around people genuinely committed to helping and advising each other to super charge their success.
Some of the affirmations and mindful meditation could have been slightly grating for the more cynical feminist, but deciding to get over this and drink the Kool Aid turned this into a heart-warming and eye opening day which I wish all women could have access to.
Ultimately, this was one of the greatest International Women’s Days which I have been fortunate enough to be a part of and a real celebration of the female solidarity which we all still need.
