The food vans at Trinity Kitchen have changed hands once more- and this time they've had a facelift.
The major rebrand has brought the likes of a VW Camper Van to the food court, along with the return of the repurposed horse trailer and re-vamped food vans.
Serving up some of the most-loved street food in Leeds, Kabao, Yorkshire Cheese Grill, Spud Bros, The Little Pasta Company and Good Boy Burger have each taken over a single food truck.
Operating for the next nine weeks, the best culinary treats are available from brand-new vans: there's a VW Camper, Citroen H van and a horse trailer that have all been repurposed for Trinity Kitchen.
Spuds & Bros
Image: The Hoot Leeds
First up on the third floor of Trinity is Spuds & Bros Poutine, which really does need no introduction if you're a regular eater in the city centre. Their poutine is a firm favourite from The Hoot Leeds and we're so excited to see their team return to Trinity Kitchen.
Serving up a concoction of cheesy, chippy, gravy filled bowls of winter warmer food, Spuds & Bros have poutine to serve the masses. Inspired by the taste of Canadian poutine, we recommend the halloumi serving, but any of their flavours are lip-smacking good.
We tried the Cluck Norris version and can't get enough of the mouth-watering combo: it's traditional poutine packed with creamy cheese curds and potatoes before being topped with chicken, bacon, halloumi, crispy onions, chives and baconaise.
Spicy N'Duja Pasta from The Little Pasta Company. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
We were tempted by The Little Pasta Company's pastel green food van and irresistible carb-filled menu. The N'duja ragu with burrata is a particular delight that deserves a special mention. Expect perfectly cooked pasta piled high on a base of thick, tomatoey sauce with spicy n'duja, topped with a full-sized burrata and parmesan.
There's also a white truffle butter pasta on the menu as well as your classic tomato, garlic and basil sauce option. If pasta isn't your carb of choice but you still want an authentic Italian dish to fuel your afternoon, The Little Pasty Company also offers an antipasti dish with a selection of cooked meats, burrata and spicy olives.
The Yorkshire Cheese Grill
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Then there's the Yorkshire Cheese Grill. Think fine toasted sandwiches with real Yorkshire cheese inside with incredible names like 'Fill Thi Boots': a sarnie made of Fountain's Gold and Yorkshire Red cheeses, as well as red onion chutney and mustard between two slices of Yorkshire bloomer- and bacon as an option extra.
If you’re looking for something a little different that champions Yorkshire produce, the Chuffin’ Eck is our recommendation. This fine combination of flavours brings the best of Yorkshire out in its cheese choices and combines it with traditional curry staples and spices. Think Fountains Gold and Yorkshire Double Blend with mango chutney, fresh red chili, spring onion, coriander, garlic and cumin all grilled between two thick slices of naan bread.
Elsewhere on the menu, there's halloumi sarnies and some serious cheesy chips. Served out of one of the newer vintage vans, this sunshine yellow truck really does have the perfect meal for any Yorkshire cheese lover.
If you visited Chow Down during the festive period, you might recognise the Good Boy Burger van taking over Trinity Kitchen. In their true laid-back style, they boasted: "For the next 6 weeks you can catch us flippin’ the beefy boys, droppin’ the dank nugz, serving them 100% Good Goods down over at Trinity Kitchen in Leeds. All proceeds go to the Good Boy Burger Foundation For The Betterment Of Better Burgers."
On their menu, you can find (you guessed it) plenty of burgers. Made from short rib smash patties, you can bet these meaty meals will be melt-in-your-mouth and utterly irresistible with their secret Good Boy burger sauce. Vegans needn't pass up this burger van: their Cauli Schnitzel is a crispy cauliflower schnitzel patty with melted vegan cheese, streaky meatless bacon and garlic aioli- perfect for those looking for a meat alternative on a plant-based diet.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We've sampled the halloumi nuggets sprinkled with sesame seeds, as well as the original Good Boy cheeseburger. Curious to see what difference using short rib would make to the patty, we were pleasantly surprised at how juicy this whopper of a burger is- we'll definitely be adding another patty or two next time.
As far as we're aware this is Kabao's first big venture into the Leeds foodie scene and we're so excited that they've been given this gig. Expect gyozas with crisp bottoms and steamed to the top- just like they should be, and a whole range of bao buns. Crispy Fried Chicken Breast Bao with sriracha mayo, lettuce and spring onions is going to be our order, but there's at least five other options to choose from.
For more information, pop your head round the Trinity Kitchen up on the top floor of Trinity shopping centre, or check out their socials.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Popular New York-style pizza pop-up confirms opening date for first takeaway in Leeds
New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason it seems.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June in a vacant railway arch at Fourth Court on Bridge Road in Leeds' Holbeck area.
It won't be your average pizza shop though, you'll have to preorder for now but trust us - it's worth it.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Edges said: "WE FINALLY HAVE an opening date, Thursday 18th June! All pizzas are pre-ordered like we have always done, and are slightly limited for now (still looking for helping hands!!!). The pre-orders will open the day before at 12pm via our Storekit link.
"We’ll be then opening Wednesday to Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 3-9pm. If there are still remaining slots left on the day, you can order up to an hour before the collection time. We have limited seating, for those who travel and would like to eat in. There is plenty of car parking space, to pick up your pizza, too.
"We can’t wait to see you all soon & more importantly, we can’t wait to start making some good food for you again."
We can't wait to get our hands on a coveted Edges pizza slice again, so you best believe we'll be there at the opening with bells on.
The 80-year-old Wakefield butchers that won Jane McDonald’s heart
Declan Kelly
When Wakefield's queen of the cruise ships recommends a pork pie in Yorkshire, you listen.
TV presenter, singer and national treasure Jane McDonald has never hidden her love for her hometown. While her career has taken her around the world, from luxury ocean liners to sold-out theatre tours, Wakefield has always remained close to her heart. And among the many things she proudly champions from her hometown, one local institution receives more praise than most: Allums Butchers.
In fact, Jane has often joked that one of the reasons she still lives in Yorkshire is because of their famous pork pies. Most recently, Jane was once again singing their praises during her album launch at HMV when we interviewed her. She has also recently spoken fondly about the butcher's legendary pies on Alan Carr's podcast.
Hearing her enthusiasm sparked our curiosity, so we decided to make the trip to Wakefield and discover for ourselves what makes these pork pies so special.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Brook Street, Allums Butchers is more than just a place to pick up your Sunday roast. It's a business woven into the fabric of Wakefield's history, with a story stretching back more than 80 years.
The journey began in 1945 when Albert Allum started trading from Wakefield Market.
At a time when local communities depended on independent traders, Albert Allum built a reputation for quality produce, expert craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Those values helped establish a loyal customer base and laid the foundations for a business that would stand the test of time.
More than eight decades later, the same principles continue to guide the company.
Today, Allums remains proudly family-owned and is run by third-generation butcher Jonathan Allum. While much has changed since Albert's early days on the market stall, the commitment to quality remains exactly the same. The business has grown into one of Yorkshire's most respected independent butchers, yet it continues to place traditional butchery, carefully sourced produce and customer service at the heart of everything it does.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Speaking to us about his relationship with Jane McDonald, Jonathan shared memories that stretch back decades. The pair first met as teenagers when Jane would visit the market alongside her mother. Like many local families, they regularly stopped by the Allum stall and, more often than not, left with one of the butcher's famous pork pies.
Jonathan remembers chatting with Jane as she collected her order.
"I'd often say, 'See you next week,'" he recalled. "And every so often she'd reply, 'No, you won't - I’m off cruising.'"
Jane has gone on to become one of Britain's most recognisable entertainers, known by millions for her television programmes and her successful career at sea and most recently her iconic Mighty Hoopla performance . Yet despite the fame, she never forgot her Wakefield roots. To this day, she remains one of Allums' most loyal supporters and regularly speaks about the business with genuine affection.
Allums' pork pies have become something of a Yorkshire institution in their own right. Handmade using a traditional recipe that has been refined over generations, each pie is crafted using seasoned pork, rich savoury jelly and a perfectly baked hot-water crust pastry. There are no modern gimmicks, just a commitment to making a classic product exceptionally well.
Naturally, we couldn't leave without trying the pork pies ourselves.
Sometimes the best food stories aren't about reinvention or chasing the latest trend. They're about preserving traditions, maintaining standards and doing one thing exceptionally well for generations.
More than 80 years after Albert Allum first opened for business in Wakefield Market, Allums Butchers continues to embody exactly that philosophy. And after finally experiencing their famous pork pies for ourselves, we can confidently say that Jane McDonald might just be right.
Sophie Smith -
8th February 2022 
