Leeds' lockdown bakery success story The Savvy Baker revealed over the weekend that they'll be taking over the food van at Trinity Kitchen this week.
Having gained quite the cult following in Leeds with her chocolate-laden gooey brownies, blondies and cookies during lockdown, founder Savannah Roqaa has gone from strength to strength and now employs a full baking team at a warehouse outside of the city.
Her delicious baked goodies are often to be found popping up at various spots in Leeds in further afield, but for this week only you'll also be able to find them at Trinity Kitchen's static food van.
The street food van has been a permanent fixture in the shopping center's food hall since May, sitting alongside permanent eateries such as Archie’s, Pho, Rola Tala, Tortilla, Pizzaluxe, Absurd Bird and Doner Shack.
It's already welcomed a host of different street food traders so far, including the 'low and slow' BBQ delights of Jimmy Macks and, most recently, Halifax's Stodfold and Clough with their modern take on pub grub.
Now, it's the Savvy Baker's turn to take on the truck - and it sounds like she's got some proper treats up her sleeve for us this week.
Promising followers a whole week of warm brownies, ice cream, goodie boxes and "maybe a few surprises" it's not one that you'll want to miss.
Sharing the news on social media over the weekend, Savannah said: "This is MADDD to me. We ain’t complete yet but with 24 hours to turnaround this gorg pop up at @trinity_kitch@trinityleeds to bake everything and try and make it look cute, I’m so buzzing.
"I used to come in here and say one day I’ll have savvy baker in trinity kitchen and it felt like a distant goal, and here she is, in the flesh, savvy baker truck at trinity Leeds!!!
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
A breathtaking giant sculpture of the sun is coming to Yorkshire for the summer
Clementine Hall
A giant model of the sun is set to be illuminated in Wakefield.
The sun is coming to Wakefield… and we’re not just referring to that one that’s popped up in the sky at long last.
We’re taking about Helios, the amazing art installation that’s about to stop off at Wakefield Exchange as it tours around the UK.
Created by renowned artist, Luke Jerram, the beautiful art piece measures a whopping seven-metres in diameter and has been created using images captured by NASA.
Helios builds on the success of Luke Jerram’s previous installations in Wakefield, including the hugely popular Museum of the Moon.
Image: Wakefield Exchange (Press photos)
With its striking scale and rich scientific detail,the artwork provides a safe and captivating way to encounter the Sun up close, highlighting everything from solar flares to the phenomena that created the unforgettable Northern Lights visible across the UK in 2024.
Stepping beneath the breathtaking glowing sculpture, audiences can experience an atmospheric fusion of solar imagery, sunlight and a specially commissioned surround‑sound composition that brings the science and mystery of our nearest star vividly to life.
Alongside the striking sun instillation, Wakefield Exchange will present a full programme of free, family‑friendly, space‑themed activities throughout the summer.
Visitors can enjoy hands‑on workshops, creative crafts, dressing‑up sessions and playful drop‑in experiences.
Helios will be hosted by Wakefield Exchange from Friday 12 June until Sunday 6 September 2026, and you can find out more here on their website.
Georgina Pellant -
13th September 2021 
