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
Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy unveil new Leeds taproom
You know the venue, and you know the operators behind it, but things are looking a little different over on Sovereign Street.
Leeds' very own Kirkstall Brewery has teamed up with street food legends Little Bao Boy to totally reinvent the city centre taproom formerly known as North Taproom.
At the all-new The City Taproom, you'll find a way cosier space alongside their sun-soaked terrace, as they aim to reimagine a traditional city centre pub.
Across 16 tap lines there are loads of Kirkstall Brewery classics, like Kirkstall Pilsner, Virtuous and Judicious, plus a rotating selection of guest beers from top British breweries - and Guinness, of course.
The City Taproom will also feature two new cask lines: one serving Three Swords as a staple, and the other on rotation starting this month with Golden Hour.
There's a bigger kitchen for Little Bao Boy too, which means an even larger menu of bao and Asian street food, like loaded fries, noodles, and rice bowls.
Little Bao Boy was founded 10 years ago by James Ooi, specialising in home-made bao buns and traditional Asian street food with a contemporary western twist.
Kirkstall have injected the huge space with the traditional essence of a proper Kirkstall establishment, with that kind of cosy atmosphere you know them for at the brewery's other sites.
Little Bao Boy at City TaproomKirkstall Brewery pints and cocktails
This is yet another of the local brewery's openings in the city centre, joining their recent renovation of The Victoria & Commercial in partnership with Whitelocks, plus their stewardship of the historic Tetley brewery building.
James Ooi, founder of Little Bao Boy said: "We have been part of this venue since day one, through COVID, outside seating, and new owners, and we are so excited for this refurb.
"On the food side, expect more collaborations, faster service, and a better overall customer experience. We are extremely grateful Kirkstall saw the value in this refurb and can't wait to get back open."
Steve Holt, founder of Kirkstall Brewery, said: "We're delighted to unveil a new presentation for the Taproom on Sovereign Street.
"It has been named The City Taproom after a famous but long-gone Leeds pub known as ‘The City’, which was situated where the statue of the Dortmund Brewer now stands. Images of the original City pub are a feature in the new look City Taproom, which can best be described as a 're-imagination' of a traditional city-centre pub.
"The City Taproom celebrates Leeds and its rich pub and brewing heritage. We hope that it will become a popular addition to the amazing and diverse venues that make Leeds such a vibrant City for hospitality and entertainment."
It's all the bits you loved before, just a little bigger and a whole lot better.
The City Taproom opens at 3 Sovereign Street on Thursday 23 April.
Much-loved West Yorkshire cafe announces closure after heartbreaking health diagnosis
Daisy Jackson
A popular cafe and bake house in West Yorkshire has announced it will close at the end of the month, after its founder received a devastating diagnosis.
Lucy's Little Bake House in Halifax has shared the 'very difficult news' that it will be closing its doors in just a few weeks' time.
Founder Lucy Chapple told followers that she has sadly been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
She now plans to step away from the business so that she can 'focus all of my time and energy on treatment and being with my beautiful family'.
Lucy's Little Bake House has been flooded with messages of support ever since sharing the news this week.
Lucy wrote that she will 'always be deeply grateful for every order, every visit, and every kind word' received since launching the cafe.
She was first diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer a little over a year ago, and ever since has been sharing symptoms and warning signs to raise awareness, encouraging people not to ignore any signs that don't feel right.
Announcing the imminent closure of Lucy's Little Bake House, she wrote: "Hi everyone, After a lot of thought, I need to share some very difficult news. News which I never wanted to share.
"Lucy's Little Bake House will be closing its doors at the end of April. This is because I've recently been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel c-ancer
"I need to step away from the business and focus all of my time and energy on treatment and being with my beautiful family.
"Our last day will be Thursday 30th April. Before then we are open as usual so please come and see us. I would love to see you!
"Running this business and serving our Gorgeous customers for the past 7 years has meant the world to me. Your support, kindness, and loyalty over the years have helped make Lucy's Little Bake House so special, and I will always be deeply grateful for every order, every visit, and ever kind word.
"Thank you for supporting my small business and for being part of this incredible journey. With so much love and gratitude, Lucy XXX
"P.S. Please please share this post so I can reach as many customers as possible"
We've got a few weeks left before Lucy's Little Bake House closes for good, so head over to Dean Clough and show them some support.
Sophie Smith -
8th February 2022 
