Taking over the kitchen inside Number 8 in Meanwod, Dijon Boys is the new foodie pop-up that landed themselves a permanent kitchen residency- all less than six months after their first pop-up event.
Bringing quality dishes to a relaxed setting is something that the Dijon Boys have been wanting to bring to the table for a long time, and with 18 years of combined experience between them, they know a thing or two about how to bring it to Leeds.
Having started less than six months ago with a pop-up dinner at Boot and Rally in Meanwood, the Dijon Boys have secured themselves a permanent kitchen residency just over the road from where it all began.
The kitchen takeover begins in September. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Jamie Layall, Cameron Sohel and Nicko Lachica, make up the team heading up Number 8's kitchen- and are all aged just 22 years old. The impressive achievement of taking on a permanent kitchen residency in such a short time appears to be through a series of successful pop-ups and before taking on their own venture, through mentorship and guidance from local restaurants.
Between the three Dijon Boys, they've worked in The Ivy in Leeds and Manchester, as well as The Woods, The Mustard Pot and Sukhothai. Business and Operations Manager Jamie gave the latter a humbling nod to: "huge thanks to Pat from Sukhothai Chapel Allerton – couldn’t have had a better first job to learn and understand service and how to run a restaurant".
On the menu, you can expect small sharing plates of food, all inspired by British classics. The menu is ever-evolving, and will highlight the best of seasonal produce but is set to feature plenty of charcuterie, sweet and savoury plates, as well as smaller bar snacks.
The new opening will specialise in small plates of British fusion. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Beginning as a pop-up only kitchen, the Dijon Boys have operated under the name Herencia, which means integrity and legacy, and gives a humbling nod to Head Chef Nicko's family restaurant in the Philippines, which operates under the same name.
Previous menus have seen the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed events with some seriously swoon-worthy dishes.
Diners will be able to pair the menu with cocktails, wines and beers from Number 8 Cocktails. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Think Wild venison steak with purple sprouting broccoli and chocolate mole sauce, tandoori monkfish with spiced hung yoghurt and carrot sauerkraut and oyster mushroom yakitori with cabbage and sesame salad wasabi gel, tempura spring onion and mushroom broth.
The Dijon Boys said that their relationship with the Meanwood restaurant blossomed after hosting a private event: "After hosting a private dining event at Number 8 Cocktails we established an excellent relationship with the owner, James Ince. From there we continued to discuss future events and it became evident that we both had similar intentions".
Dijon Boys Jamie, Cameron and Nicko. / Image: Dijon Boys
Adding, "James is such a nice guy and believes in our project and we are thrilled to be able to grow our business with him on board".
"We have always dreamed of having our own kitchen and a permanent location and we are very excited to be able to make this dream come true. We will now have a base to cook from and serve customers – there will always be a location where our customers can find us and try our food.
"We are still planning on doing pop ups moving forward but we are very grateful to James at Number 8 Cocktails for giving us this opportunity to be able to represent our style and what we can do".
Dijon Boys will serve from Number 8 Cocktails in Meanwood. / Image: Dijon Boys
Although the kitchen takeover will be running for good on Friday 23 September 2022 inside Number 8 Cocktails, you can grab a Sunday roast in advance of the official opening to give the new residency a taste test.
We’re talking herb and fennel stuffed pork loin with onion gravy, 12 hours braised short rib or beef with red wine jus and a butternut squash and olive stuffed cabbage leaves with veg gravy, plus a Yorkshire pud, roasties and seasonal veggies on the side. There’s starters, sides and desserts on offer too.
Sunday Roasts will be a big hit on the menu. / Image: Dijon Boys
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
Daisy Jackson
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
Sophie Smith -
15th August 2022 
