Meet the brand championing Leeds independents with hot sauce collabs.
If there's one thing we love more than witnessing Leeds independent stores thrive, it's when they help each other to get there.
This year, we've seen collaborations of all kinds as brands get together to boost each others following with tasty treats- some bizarre, but on the whole, some of the most delicious dishes this year have come from this type of comradery.
Thiccc Sauce is just one example of this, having spent 2021 collaborating with the likes of much-loved Headingley cafe, Fika North and city centre charcuterie hotspot, Friends of Ham to create irresistible sauces that sum up each brand's specialism in a single drop of sauce.
If you're like us and relish in an opportunity to support your local and champion the independents we have around us, chances are that you've already had a taste of a Thiccc Sauce collaboration without even realising.
From Neon Cactus, Little Bao Boy and the Savvy Baker to Honest Burgers, Mozzafella and more, Thiccc Sauce really have covered all the greats- and they've only been open just over a year.
Our recent introduction to Thiccc Sauce, entitled 'The Thiccc Sauce championing the indie food scene in Leeds', got us thinking about our favourite collabs this year, and although it was a difficult choice to make, here are some of our favourites from this year:
Thiccc Sauce X Friends of Ham is known as the 'Vote For Pedro' sauce. A decedent dark sauce crammed with sugared plums, Pedro Ximenez sherry, black garlic, smoked chipotle, red jalapeño, Bermondsey Sobrassada Oil, Spanish red grape, Vermont maple syrup, Sherry balsamic vinegar, locally smoked garlic, onion, vine tomato and spices with medium to high heat.
Fika North- Lagöm
Thiccc Sauce X Fika North is all about championing local and international flavours with their Lagöm Lingonberry Hot Sauce. Lagöm meaning “just the right amount, in balance” in Swedish, is a collaboration with local legends Fika North containing freshly squeezed Lingonberries, Lingonberry Jam, habanero chilli, bell red pepper, tomato, red wine vinegar, maple syrup and spices.
North Brew Co- Rye Candy
The Thicc Sauce chefs used their previous maple bourbon bbq sauce recipe with molasses, black treacle, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper then upped the maple content & added a copious amounts of Rye Bourbon & Strong Stout to create Rye Candy, a complex sweet boozy bbq sauce perfect on a dirty burger or some bbq meat.
Third Eye Signs- Seoul Food
Chances are you favourite indies have had their branding designed by Third Eye, making this collaboration, an exciting combination of flavours from no particular eatery. The Seoul Food is made from gochujang paste, soy paste, rice vinegar, scotch bonnets, red jalapeño, ketchup, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, onion, soy sauce, maple syrup, sugar, ginger, spices and honey- and sound delicious.
Dukes Halifax- Dystopia
This collab was between Dukes bar in Halifax and Yorkshire designer Drew Millward. Described as a gentle spice of green jalapeño mashed with a whirlwind of herbs spices and fruit, this hot sauces comes flavoured with pineapple, tomatillo, jalapeño, mint, coriander, lime and agave- what's not to love about that combination?
At present, the Leeds-based sauce company have a few collaboration favourites left before they pack up and enjoy their Christmas sauce-order-free, but as the demand for the sauces is so high: you'll have to head to their website to see what's available at present.
Bottle Chop in Headingley is a stockist of the local collaborations and original sauces and limited edition drops are announced sporadically on Instagram- so keep an eye out for any and all updated from Thiccc Sauce, you don't want to miss out.
Feature Image- Big Guys Thiccc Sauce
News
Independent Leeds matcha stand forced to close by council despite 3,000 people signing petition
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Here are six of the most exciting new restaurants and cafes coming to Leeds this year
Clementine Hall
The year is almost coming to an end, but Leeds is still bursting at the seams with plenty of new openings.
We love talking about food here at The Hoot, so allow us to indulge and let you know what foodie spots are opening in the city over the next couple of months.
Recently we've had everything from rotisserie chicken shops to Miami-inspired bodegas open up, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving...
It's been a long time coming but we hope you haven’t forgotten that viral matcha and acai spot Acai and the Tribe is coming to Vicar Lane very soon.
Known for its colourful acai bowls, smoothies and coffee, the brand already has locations across the UK, and now its setting up shop in Leeds.
Joe & the Juice
1 Trinity St, LS1 6AP
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Girlies grab your Stanley cups and book that pilates class, because Joe and the Juice is finally coming to Leeds. It's been open across the pond in Manchester for just over a year now, and we've been waiting with bated breath to see when they'd make the triumphant step to LS1. Well, the time has come…get ready for all the matcha, juices, coffees and, of course, their iconic Tunacado sandwich.
This much loved breakfast spot do one thing and one thing very well...egg sandwiches.
And it may be a familiar name to some of you lot, as Egg & Co recently opened up on bustling Deansgate in Manchester as well as inside Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield.
This will be their first site in Leeds, though, and we're very 'egg-cited' about it...sorry.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties, funky branding, and quick, reliable service. Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order.
After opening in Meanwood just a few weeks ago they're now coming to the city centre, get in.
If you're a fan of thick, chewy noodles, then you're going to like this one.
And that's because The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to welcome Lano Noodles, an authentic hand-pulled noodle spot. Specialising in freshly made noodles, authentic Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup and traditional Chinese snacks, the independent restaurant will be unlike anything you can currently find in the city.
Sophie Smith -
29th December 2021 
