The Cheesy Living Co. is quickly becoming Leeds go-to supplier for all things cheese and charcuterie.
After taking a passion project full-time during the second Covid lockdown, owners Jake and Soph haven't looked back since the launch of The Cheesy Living Co. in 2020.
Supplying renowned chef Matt Healy's Horsforth restaurant Forde with farmer's cured meats and ingredients, but still managing to attend just about every small business and foodie market across the city, The Cheesy Living Co. is one of the most humbled new businesses around.
The selection spans far further than just cheese or typical charcuterie meats. / Image: The Cheesy Living Co.
Aware of the popularity of their products, but taking things slow and making conscious business decisions, co-owner Jake spent years in hospitality before taking the plunge to launch his own business- and the time spent learning the intricacies of the industry shows.
With the help Soph, the other half of the business, the pair is ensuring that The Cheesy Living Co. is slowly making its way around the Leeds foodie scene- despite not having a physical, permanent store (though that's about to change soon).
SALT Craft + Cocktails has just launched a new bottomless brunch with unlimited cocktails and a cheese and charcuterie board in a collaborative project and the indie company is even supplying the latest hospitality nights, including 'The Comeback' Industry Boxing Night at the Corn Exchange found the charcuterie specialists serving their pork pies and small plate products to industry professionals battling it out for charity.
SALT Craft + Cocktails offers a bottomless brunch with a The Cheesy Living Co. charcuterie board. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The idea is that by the time their first store does open (which isn't too far away), you'll know exactly what The Cheesy Living Co. stands for; the quality of the products and the cheese company will find that sweet spot between slipping into the market and coming in with a bang.
Their clientele speaks volumes for the quality- and from next month you'll no longer have to wait for the next farmer's market or pop-up event to get your hands on The Cheesy Living Co. stock: you'll be able to pick it up with your weekly shop or on your daily commute in Leeds city centre.
Owner Jake outside new The Cheesy Living Co. store in the Corn Exchange. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Corn Exchange is set to host the debut Cheesy Living Co. store and although there's no confirmed opening date just yet, we're expecting the store to open within the coming weeks.
Transforming a former hairdresser's spot in the Corn Exchange is no easy challenge (especially when the walls come in a bright pink hue), and given that the owners Soph and Jake are trying to balance the renovations alongside supplying the city with their products, they're careful to take their time with the project and ensure that they only open once they feel ready to do so.
The eat-in cheese and charcuterie store is hoping to open in the coming weeks. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
At present, the company plans to offer a small seating area inside their store with a few seats spilling into the Corn Exchange's wooden floor. Located just behind Bruschetta, there's ample space for foodies to grab a bite or choose their desired meats, cheeses and other picky bits to take away.
To keep up to date with The Cheesy Living Co.'s progress and find out more about their opening, visit their Instagram page.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
‘The pub that refused to die’ – reborn Leeds pub receives glowing national review by Jay Rayner
Food critic Jay Rayner headed to Leeds for his latest restaurant review for The Financial Times, with his sights set on one of the city's newest pubs - The Highland Laddie.
Having only opened in May last year, The Highland Laddie has practically received a stream of praise ever since.
From the team behind the beloved Empire Cafe, it's a pub unlike any you'll find in the city.
Charming interiors and cosy fires matched with stellar food that rivals that of any restaurant in the city, it's no surprise that The Good Food Guide rated the Laddie has the Best Pub in Britain for 2025.
And now Jay Rayner, one of the country's most rated critics, has jumped on the Laddie-loving bandwagon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review is glowing in every aspect, stating that "The Laddie, as it’s now being called, answers all those miserable questions about whether a pub is actually a restaurant in disguise, by making them feel irrelevant."
After making himself comfortable, Rayner continues to order a myriad of delicious things off the menu.
"Some of the food is purely comforting", he remarks before claiming "the must-have is the lyrically described “Sliced ham from the fire, dinner roll, butter & mustard”.
"It starts with the delivery of a laminated mustard menu. There’s Colman’s or Taylors English, Grey Poupon wholegrain and five types of Dijon, among others. More restaurants should have mustard menus. We are pointed at the Händlmaier Sweet Bavarian, a jar of which is delivered to the table.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"It eases the cheek-pink slices of still warm, thick-cut salty ham on their way as I fold them into the sweet springy block of bread with its butter-brushed crust. It is a dish ripped gently from the pages of The Darling Buds of May and made heavenly reality."
High praise indeed from Mr Rayner who finds joy in his experience til the very end, "At the end, the bill comes with a couple of Fruit Salad sweets, a ’70s classic.
"It’s a shameless clapback to an imaginary back-in-the-day, for nothing then was ever as good as this. But let’s not quibble with wonky nostalgia. Let’s just celebrate a present which has found space for the Highland Laddie amid the high-rise clutter."
Beloved Leeds brunch spot Olive & Rye announces major expansion plans
Daisy Jackson
A much-loved Leeds cafe and brunch favourite has announced a major expansion, with bags more seating both inside and out.
Independent cafe Olive & Rye has announced that it's expanding into the unit next door in the beautiful Queens Arcade.
The local brunch spot has already started work on the neighbouring unit and is set to be back up and running in just a few weeks.
It's great news for the arcade, which is already home to businesses like Pop Boutique and Art & Soul, as well as Olive & Rye's sister business, the authentic little Thai cafe, Olive & Thai.
The cafe has a seasonal menu, so there's always a new special to try, as well as a core menu of classic brunch favourites like homemade granola, eggs on sourdough, and pancakes.
They're also famed for their huge full breakfasts, which feature items like crispy pork belly, homemade beans, black pudding, and hash browns.
Announcing the news yesterday, Olive & Rye said: "It’s finally official !!!
"We’re expanding into the unit next door. We so excited for a bigger dining area and kitchen. That means we will have more inside and outside spots for brunch
"We will be closed on February 3rd & 4th for construction, but back up and running on the 5th."
Sophie Smith -
6th May 2022 
