Given the host of events designed to empower and celebrate all women and girls around the city, it's going to be a truly special week to be a woman in Leeds.
Here are some of our favourite events going on in Leeds this week...
Duke Studios is kicking off their six-day International Women's Week celebrations with an opportunity to switch up your wardrobe in an environmentally-friendly and inclusive setting. The event is pay-as-you-feel and guaranteed to bring some joy to your Monday.
"For our all gender inclusive clothes swap facilitated by feminist activist Bonnie Milnes. Bring down your unwanted clothes and leave with a new preloved wardrobe".
Celebrating social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, East 59th is hosting a buffet breakfast with live panel Q&A from some of the most influential women in Leeds. In collaboration with Smart Works, hear from magazine owner, Laura Bartlett, who has recently been spotted on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch; as well as the likes of Stephanie Hirst, a BBC and Hits Radio host; Jodie Hill, the Managing Partner and Founder of Thrive Law and Siobhan Murphy, who is best known as a Finalist on BBC’s Interior Design Masters and now as a Presenter of Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch.
Brunch will take place from 8 - 10am with a 90 minute panel discussion in the middle of the event. £5 of all ticket sales will be donated to our chosen charity, with £1 added onto East 59th diners bills throughout the month too.
Tuesday 8 March 2022, 8 - 10am. Find out more here.
The popular brewery pub is hosting a quiz to celebrate International Women's Day this year. Expect an evening full of gorgeous pints cocktails & wines, tunes by our fave female artists (think TLC, Blondie, Spice Girls, you know the drill) followed by an International Womens Day Quiz from 7pm.
The quiz is £3 donation entry per person and the proceeds will go to Leeds Womens Aid, a local charity that provide services to women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse in Leeds. Their services include emergency accommodation, practical and therapeutic support, community services & sanctuary support for those with complex needs.
Speaking about the event, North Brew Taps said: "We're proud of the wonderful women that fill our team here and fill this industry and want to use this day as a chance to celebrate, empower and uplift eachother while raising some money to support vulnerable women who need our support Leeds Womens Aid. This event is inclusive to ALL, let's celebrate the gals."
Tuesday 8 March 2022 from 7pm. Find out more here.
Truman Books- Draw-along wit Kate Pankhurst
Image: Truman Books
Author and illustrator Kate Pankhurt, creator of the series 'Fantastically Great Women' is joining Truman Books in Farsley for a draw-along and celebration of her new book 'Fantastically Great Women Artists and Their Stories'.
During the event, Kate will be drawing some of her best-selling book characters and guiding children to draw along at the same time- this is bound to be a memorable experience for all generations though.
Tuesday 8 March 2022, 3.30 - 4.30pm. Find out more here.
Get the girls down for this one. The collaboration project between Babenation and local singer, Beth Ibbotson is an all-singing, all-dancing night of bingo and sing along, surrounded by likeminded individuals.
Cost-wise, you're looking at a fiver per bingo card and you can buy as many as you’d like- all proceeds go to the worthy cause of Womenkind Worldwide though.
Tuesday 8 March 2022 from 8pm. Find out more here.
Duke Studio is celebrating International Women's Week with a six-day calendar of exciting events. On Wednesday, feeling empowered (and maybe a bit of a sore head) from the celebrations on International Women's Day, Duke is inviting Leeds city goers to join their Drag Life Drawing class.
The event says: "Life drawing with a twist- a two hour session for beginners and the experiences, bring your own materials. oin our Community Assistant Jas as they lead you through a life drawing you’ve never experienced, modelled by our resident Midnight Dancers Donna The Domme and China. Bring your own materials and let's draw some drags in our spacious and colourfully lit event space". Tickets will cost £7 on the door.
Wednesday 9 March 2022 from 7pm. Find out more here.
This event is all about developing your writing skills with supportive company. Empower and create at HEART on this in-person course, where you’ll learn how to push through doubt, reduce fear of the blank page, become disciplined in your practice and enjoy writing so much more as a result.
Hundreds of women and non-binary writers have graduated from Write like a Grrrl, and so if you're looking for a reason to get to the pen and paper once more, this is sure to be a great kickstarter to reignite the joy of writing.
Thursday 10 February - Thursday 17 March 2022. Find out more here.
Feature Image- Headingley HEART
Feature
The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
The Leeds Chilli Shop selling sauces so hot they come with a warning
Clementine Hall
If you think you can handle your spice, then there’s one shop in Leeds that will put that to the test.
Tucked away on Merrion Street, Chilli Shop has been a staple of the Leeds high street for over a decade.
First opening back in 2014, Chilli Shop was founded by Frank Jay and has built a reputation as one of the city’s most wonderfully niche (and hottest) destinations.
It's basically a shrine to all things hot, a proper haven of everything spicy to get your tastebuds tingilng.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking everything from chilli hot sauces and jams to chocolate, cheese, dried chillies and even novelty gifts perfect for the chilli lover in your life.
But what they're most famous for is a shelf fully dedicated to the Youtube hit Hot Ones, a show where celebrities are pushed to the limit and served hot wings coated in a variety of hot sauces from mild to blow-your-head-off hot.
So if you've ever watched that show and wanted to have a go yourself, this shop stocks all the sauces so you can be the star of your own Hot Ones episode.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Best of all, you can try before you buy. Free, heat-rated tasters are available, meaning you can work your way up from “that’s got a bit of a kick” to “I can no longer feel my face”.
We can't promise there's any milk or ice cream on hand though, so get tasting at your own risk.
So whether you’re looking for a new sauce, a spicy gift for your mate or simply want to discover exactly how much pain your tastebuds can withstand, the Chilli Shop is one Leeds independent that deserves a visit.
Sophie Smith -
7th March 2022 
