It's official, Chow Down is here to stay - and it's coming back bigger and better than ever.
As the popular street food festival pop-up nears its first birthday, organisers have revealed it will be moving into Temple Arches on a permanent basis. And as part of the new plans, it'll also be launching its own cocktail bar, Tipples.
New Head of Drinks Jake Speakman has put together an eclectic drinks list, featuring the likes of guava and kiwi punch, the Chow Down 'heavy sipper', Ribena margaritas, and white chocolate espresso martinis - all of which sound absolutely incredible to us.
Chow Down has confirmed it will be staying at Temple Arches permanently / Image: Chow Down
The food festival first launched in Leeds last summer, hosting ten successful pop-up weekends that saw a whole host of independent traders bring their tasty street food dishes to Temple Arches.
Returning again in April, it's now set to stay - and is gearing up for a huge birthday celebration starting from July 22 and running through to July 25.
The street food festival now has a permanent home at Temple Arches / image: Chow Down
The four-day birthday celebrations will see the festival bring the likes of the New York Brass Band and The Pigeon Detectives down to Temple Arches, alongside a whole host of other musicians.
Things will kick off with a Futuresound takeover on Thursday night, featuring DJ sets from Low Hummer, Far Caspian and The Pigeon Detectives.
Chown Down is preparing for its first birthday celebrations / Image: Chow Down
The music will continue with the intergalactic house sounds of Man Power on Friday, followed by an appearance from Manchester DJ legend Luke Unabomber. on Saturday night.
Finally, the New York Brass Band will make their triumphant return to Temple Arches on the Sunday afternoon with a live set that is expected to include a brassy rendition of Happy Birthday.
On the food front, there'll be appearance from traders like Torito Taco, MorMor, Wallace and Sons and Little Red Food Cluck. Project D will also join for a special pop-up, bringing along some special Chow Down Birthday donuts for the occasion.
Resident ice cream truck Scoop is always on hand to serve up a tasty dessert / Image: Chow Down
The resident Scoop truck will also be in situ, serving up its indulgent ice-cream treats and brownies.
There will also be live art across the weekend from abstract designer and marker Emma Hardaker, whose bright graphics can be seen in murals and installation pieces across the North.
“This area of Leeds has some amazing plans for the future and we can’t wait to be a part of that," said Chow Down co-founder Matt Long.
Chow Down supports a whole host of independent street food traders with its events / Image: Chow Down
"It's been incredible to see Chow Down grow over the last year, and cement itself as a permanent venue at Temple Arches. Alongside Chow Down, we (New Citizens) have great projects in the Temple area, with Oktoberfest and The Garden Party, so we feel very much a part of this exciting transformation.
"At Chow Down we have looked to support as many independent food traders as possible, and this year to date we have had over 50 vendors trade with us, helping out and actually kickstarting many of the hospitality scenes as we rotate the food as much as possible.
"Our drink supply is very much as local as possible, and is ever-rotating. We are planning some more collaboration brews on the menu for later in the year, after the huge success of our North Brew Co beer this summer.”
Bookings are now open for Chow Down's big birthday bash, to reserve your table click here.
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A massive food and drink festival is coming to Temple Newsam this weekend
We hope you're hungry Leeds, because a big festival dedicated to all things food is coming to Temple Newsam.
The Temple Newsam Food Festival is now in its second year after a resounding first edition, aiming to celebrate cultural diversity, independent businesses, and global cuisine.
It will take place this weekend on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026, with the beautiful and historic Temple Newsam providing the perfectly picturesque location.
The festival will celebrate local talent, independent businesses, world cultures and international flavours.
The Street Food Arena will feature an array of global cuisines, cultural delicacies, and irresistible desserts whilst the event's bustling Artisan Markets will showcase a plethora of small businesses and local entrepreneurs offering freshly-baked goods, quality produce. hand-made crafts, unique experiences, vibrant art, and much more.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it doesn't stop there as festival-goers can enjoy a selection of independent bars serving cocktails, specialty spirits, fresh cider, wine and beer.
This year there will be a huge focus on live cookery demos, with ten demonstrations from a whole range of talented chefs including Leeds' own Josh Whitehead of Finer Pleasures, Bobby Geetha of Kerala Canteen and stars from Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off.
And it's not just about food and drink, as new for this year there will be a dog show, plenty of live music and lots of fun activities such as inflatable jousting and target paintball.
Tickets are on sale now, and you can grab yours here.
The hidden Leeds bakery serving giant cheese twists, pickle sausage rolls and chocolate focaccia
Clementine Hall
This spot in the city is baking up some weird and wonderful creations.
But you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on them, as it's only open one day a week for all your doughy desires.
Introducing Fold, a focaccia-focused bakery by the talented team behind The Cheesy Living Co.
Rewind to this time last year and with three restaurants flourishing across Leeds, the team needed a space to bake all their bread and sweet treats in-house to supply to sites.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this is where Fold came in, located underneath the arches of Brussels Street on the outskirts of the city centre - it may take a while to find this spot but once you have, it'll be worth it.
And they're making some of the most inventive bakes that we've seen.
Of course there'll always be a focaccia on offer, with flavours ranging from crispy chilli oil, sesame and spring onion to kimchi, cheese and pistachio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it's not just savoury focaccia, you'll even find gooey chocolate and banana focaccia as well as Biscoff waffle focaccia....yep, seriously.
Elsewhere they specialise in gigantic footlong cheese twists with more crispy bits than soft, as well as chorizo and cheese stuffed sausage rolls and a range of freshly baked bagels for you to go home and smear in your cream cheese of choice.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Some seriously spectacular specials have been the gochujang cookies and the 'pickle roll', basically like a sausage roll but with...pickles.
It seems there's really no boundaries for where these bakes will go, and you can guarantee that every visit will be different than the rest.
Only open on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm, Fold are changing the baking game. Pop in and say hello, you won't be disappointed.
Georgina Pellant -
16th July 2021 
