Can you impress Dame Mary Berry and the Queen with your showstopper?
Buckingham Palace announced plans to mark the Queen's Jubilee with 10 days of huge celebrations between January and July this morning, with one very special competition starting today.
The Platinum Pudding is a nationwide competition dedicated to finding a brand new pudding, dedicated to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
As of today, the Platinum Pudding Competition will begin its search for a winner. Entries will be judged by the likes of culinary legend and national treasure, Dame Mary Berry and it is thought that the winning pudding will be served up as part of the Jubilee celebrations, including inside Buckingham Palace.
The search for a Platinum Pudding has begun. / Image: Michael Garnett (Flickr)
Upon releasing the news of the search, the Royal's website launched a press release stating the terms of the competition:
"The Big Jubilee Lunch and Fortnum & Mason are inviting applications from UK residents aged 8 and over to create the perfect Platinum Pudding recipe.
"Five finalists will prepare their pudding for an expert judging panel including Dame Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and Buckingham Palace Head Chef Mark Flanagan. The winning recipe will be made available to the public and the pudding will be enjoyed at Big Jubilee Lunches during the Jubilee weekend, and by generations to come".
Dame Mary Berry will judge and find a Platinum Pudding worthy for the Queen. / Image: Eden Project Communities
The competition will follow in the footsteps of the British staple of coronation chicken, a dish created by Le Cordon Bleu to celebrate the Queen's coronation banquet in 1953.
Eden Project Communities also spoke out about the jubilee celebration, stating the lunch amongst other celebrations is just what the UK needs.
Britain is celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a Bake Off style challenge to find the perfect pudding. / Image: British Bake Off
"Nine million people came together last year for physically distanced events in their gardens, local parks, on their streets and even at events held online to bring people together, and 77% of attendees said it was just what was needed after more than a year of Covid".
For more information on how you could create the next national dish, find more information on the Eden Project Communities website.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding with two city centre openings.
Coffee lovers, you're going to love this one.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
One of their brand-new locations inside the Victoria Quarter will be opening next Monday 1 June.
Their new kiosk will be located outside Jo Malone London and marks the brand’s third site in Leeds.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To celebrate the launch, North Star will be giving away 50 free coffees a day from Tuesday 2 June until Friday 5 June - a total of 200 free drinks across the opening week. Customers will be able to claim any coffee from the menu, with one free drink per person available on a first come, first served basis, each day.
Their other new site is expected to be on Great George Street, and we'll keep you updated with any news on that one as and when we know more.
Speaking about the opening, Holly Kragiopoulos, Co-founder of North Star, said: “Opening a third site in the centre of Leeds feels incredibly special for us. Leeds has always been at the heart of North Star, so being able to bring our coffee into Victoria Quarter is a huge milestone.
"We wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the city and welcoming both loyal regulars and new customers with free coffee throughout our opening week.”
Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli
Clementine Hall
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
Sophie Smith -
10th January 2022 
