Food & Drink

Beloved Leeds coffee brand announce opening date for ANOTHER city centre site

There's just no stopping them.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 23rd July 2026

One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.

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.

And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!

Images: The Hoot Leeds

You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.

At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.

And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.

“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”

“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.

“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”

Read more: Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Food & Drink

Leeds United’s Anton Stach has launched his very own burger at a local indie – and it’s all for a good cause

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

If it's good enough for Anton Stach, then it's good enough for us.

Well, it really is the signing that nobody saw coming...and it’s happening right opposite the station.

Meat:Stack, the Newcastle-born, award-winning burger joint on Bishopgate Street in Leeds, is giving the people what they want - a burger with Anton Stach’s name on it.

Introducing ‘The Moustachi Burger', officially launching Tuesday 18 August where Anton Stach himself will be down at Meat:Stack to meet United fans, sign autographs and, of course, tuck into his very own creation. 

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Even better, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Elhadj Diouf Foundation (EDF), a charity chosen by Stach that supports children through education.

Not only that, but it's a great opportunity to support Meat:Stack that has been suffering from the ongoing road works for months on end now.

So really, you've got no excuse to come down and tuck into the special which will be available through the opening weeks of the season.

Anton Stach, Leeds United and Germany midfielder, added: “Leeds has felt like home from very early on, and a lot of that is the people and the places around the ground, the businesses fans go to before and after a game. Meat:Stack is one of them, and they’ve had a hard time with the building work on their doorstep. The Moustachi Burger is a lovely nod to my YouTube channel too.

"This is a team on the rise in a city on the comeback, and support has to go both ways. I wanted to back a business Leeds fans care about and raising money for a foundation my family has given so much to at the same time means everything. I’ll be there on the 18th, bring your appetite.”

Read more: Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Food & Drink

The National Pizza Awards are looking for one lucky person to join the 2026 judging panel

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Job adverts don’t come much better than this, as the National Pizza Awards is searching for one lucky person to join the judging panel at this year’s grand final.

The National Pizza Awards invite chefs from across the hospitality industry each year to submit their signature recipes in a bid to claim the coveted title of National Pizza of the Year title, providing a platform for the UK’s ultimate pizza professionals to showcase their recipes on a national scale.

Hosted by Dine Out magazine finalists face off in a live cooking showdown in front of a hand-picked panel of industry judges.

On top of a signature round, competitors take part in a technical challenge that sees them construct the best dish from a selection of ingredients, with the winner being named National Pizza Chef of the Year.

Images: The Manc Group

And this year, you could play a part in picking the winners.

That’s right – the National Pizza Awards has launched a nationwide search for a new judge, and the only catch (if you can even call it a catch) is that the judge will need to sample 16 of the UK’s best pizzas in a single day as chefs battle it out for the title.

It’s a tough gig, but someone’s got to do it, and if you want to be that someone, entries are now open for you to enter.

Pizzas are judged on how the they’re made, the flavour profile, how they’re cooked, the aesthetic and presentation, and the texture, quality, and consistency, as well as the choice of ingredients.

To be in with a chance, you’ll simply just need tag your favourite pizza place in the Instagram competition post, and then if that place enters the awards and makes it through to the final cook-off, you’ll be entered into a draw to become that all-important guest judge this November.

Think your local pizzeria has what it takes? Back them, get tagging, and you could find yourself helping crown the UK’s pizza champion.

Enter on Instagram here.

Read more: Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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