The rhubarb festival is a Wakefield favouriteand it's back for 2022.
There was once a time when West Yorkshire once produced 90% of the world's winter forced rhubarb after we cleverly constructed dedicated forcing sheds.
Today, Yorkshire is still world renowned for its rhubarb, but we celebrate it slightly differently: with a festival.
The city of Wakefield have confirmed that their annual rhubarb festival will return for the 2022 and is set to include some of the most exciting rhubarb-related activities to date.
From Friday 25 February - Sunday 27 February, Wakefield will be painted pink in anticipation of a full city-wide festival. There will be a food and drink market with over 50 chalets, where members of the public can sample and purchase local and regional delights: lively street entertainment and music, and plenty of workshops to get involved in too.
A programme of chef demos will bring the best of their knowledge to the city too. From 10am - 3pm each day, guests likes food writer Sabrina Ghayour and Great British Bake Off 2021 vegan baker Freya Cox; Featherstone-born GBBO contestant Karen Wright will take to the stage whilst local restaurants like Iris and Fino who will showcase their most mouth-watering rhubarb inspired recipes.
If you're not as obsessed with rhubarb as the rest of us, you can find plenty of non-rhubarb treats too. There's everything from steamed puddings from Little Box Kitchen, gourmet marshmallows from Malvavisco, artisan brownies from The Gourmet Brownie Company and cheeseboards inspired by cheeses from all over the world to choose from.
Image: Wakefield Council
Even plant-based eaters don't have to miss out: vegan street food traders Simply Cheesecake, MoodyMare Patisserie and Really Indian will all be on hand to ensure you have enough rhubarb-based food to keep you going throughout the day.
At the drink's market, let the likes of Rhucello, Howey Nichols and Retro Shots tempt you with their selection of heavenly liqueurs or Then there's cider from Gwatkins, rum from Two Lasses Spirits and Beckford's Rum.
A much-loved independent restaurant in Leeds has announced it will be closing its doors.
Kuala Lumpur Cafe opened its doors in Headingley in 2019 by Bart and Hirman, who wanted to bring authentic Malaysian cooking to the city of Leeds.
Throughout the years, they'd built up a reputation for their beautiful curries and vibrant street food dishes, all of which were made using Hirman's family recipes.
So much so, that in 2024 they opened a kitchen inside White Cloth Hall in the city centre when the Grade II listed food hall first opened.
Their kitchen sadly closed a year later, but their Headingley restaurant remained open serving the students and locals with their famous beef rendang, nasi lemak and more.
Sadly, Kuala Lumpur Cafe have taken to social media to announce that they will be closing their doors for good as of this Saturday 17 October.
Their statement reads: "Thank you to all our customers and team that made Kuala Lumpur Cafe possible across the last few years. After a long consideration, we have decided that our last trading day will be Saturday 17 October.
"If you have a booking after this date, we'll be calling you over the next few days to try to move it to an earlier date before we close.
"It's been our pleasure to serve Malaysian food to the community. Best regards, KL Cafe."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, local businesses and customers flocked to the comments to express their sadness and show their support.
One comment reads: "Such a shame. This was genuinely the best Malay food I had outside of Malaysia. Will be missed greatly", whilst another thanks the cafe for "all the delicious food over the years".
If you want to visit Kuala Lumpur Cafe one last time, then you have until this Saturday to do so. Go and wish them a proper farewell.
A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.
They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.
Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.
New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.
And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.
Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.
So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.
Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.
Sophie Smith -
1st February 2022 
