After the success of its Rum Festival in 2021, Leeds' Corn Exchange is debuting Leeds Whisky Fest, a one-day festival that champions all things boozy.
A vibrant selection of global and homegrown brands is set to take over Leeds Corn Exchange on Saturday 9 April, bringing an impressive line-up of whiskies from all over the world to our doorstep.
Leeds Whisky Fest will welcome guests for an afternoon or evening of tasting, learning and entertainment. Inside, there will be makers and creators from renowned distilleries, including Woodford Reserve, Starward, Nikka, Slane, Port Askaig, Single Malts of Scotland, Highland Nectar, Elements of Islay and more.
In total, there will be over 100 whiskies available on show, but you'll only need the one entry ticket for all-access to unlimited samples, talks, masterclasses and tastings, as well as an exclusive Leeds Whisky Fest branded tasting glass and guide to take home with you after your visit.
A selection of the masterclasses on offer will be from The Flavour of Bourbon. With over 200 delectable flavours of their chosen Bourbon on offer and a variety of food samples to compare flavour notes with: this will be a one-of-a-kind experience for wannabe and actual connoisseurs of spirits with respective interest.
A selection of food from Mans Market. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
There's some of Leeds' best foodie options on offer to keep stomach's lined and well-fed throughout the experience. Sunday Times-recommended Mans Market will be providing an incredible selection of authentic Chinese dishes and Oeey Gooey will be whipping up some exclusive bourbon brownies in collaboration with event sponsors Woodford Reserve.
Leeds-own Latitude Wine and Spirit Merchant will be operating a bottle shop on the day for anyone wanting to find some old favourites or new bottles to take home.
Lee Jones, from organisers Rolling Social Events says: “It feels amazing to be able to plan our 2022 line up of events and we’re always wanted to put on a whisky festival, so we’re dead excited to add Leeds Whisky Festival into the calendar.”
The events are always designed around drinking better quality, and we’re very lucky to be working with some incredible brands throughout the course of the year, including many sustainable and environmentally friendly distilleries.”
Punters that reckon this Whisky Festival will make the perfect addition to their weekend plans can choose to head down to either the afternoon session (12-4pm) or the evening session (5-9pm) of Leeds Whisky Fest, with tickets available for £40 at eventbrite.co.uk.
Feature Image- Luwadlin Bosman, Unsplash
Eats
National food critic crowns Leeds restaurant as one of his top three in Britain
Renowned food critic Jay Rayner is singing his praises about a certain Leeds restaurant.
And it's probably a restaurant you've walked past time and time again, but have never thought to pop in.
Named Sous Le Nez, this independent French-inspired bistro and wine bar is tucked away in the basement of Quebec House on Quebec Street, right in the heart of the city centre.
Translating roughly as "under the nose", it's particularly fitting as its food and wine is now being hailed as some of the best in Britain by Jay Rayner himself.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Feeding the people of Leeds since 1991, has some of the best food in the city been under our nose this whole time?
Appearing on the Routes LNER podcast hosted by Jenni Falconer, Rayner was asked about his favourite three restaurants in Britain to which Sous Le Nez got a very special mention.
Jay Rayner said: “Sous Le Nez, an old stager in Leeds that has been there a very long time.
“Great wine list. Nothing on the menu will surprise you but it is done very very well.”
Elsewhere on the podcast, he gives a very quick shoutout Domo in Sheffield (also now in Leeds) for their special Lobster on toast.
It's safe to say that Jay loves a bit of Leeds, back in January he gave The Highland Laddie a glowing review hailing it 'the pub that refuses to die' and in 2024 he labeled Zucco in Meanwood 'the perfect Italian'.
High, high praise indeed. You can listen to the podcast here and you can find out more about the fabulous Sous Le Nez here.
Popular Yorkshire burger chain to move into old Five Guys site in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
From one burger chain to the next...
The big Five Guys site on Duncan Street by The Corn Exchange has been empty for quite some time now, after the chain moved into a new premises on the top floor of Trinity Shopping Centre.
But now, a new burger joint is taking its place.
Urban Fresh Burger was born back in 2017 over in Doncaster and has since built a cult following across Yorkshire, opening a total of five sites.
Their selling point is offering a 'healthier' style of burger using fresh and local ingredients, all of which are fully customisable and made to order.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But don't just take our word for it, here's how Urban Fresh Burger describe themselves: "A healthier choice with flawless flavour, our signature smashed burgers and hand-cut fresh fries keep customers coming back.
"Our secret sauce? Choosing only the freshest, best quality ingredients from local suppliers. It’s a commitment we’ve held true to since day one, and one we’ll never compromise on."
So, what can you expect to see on the menu? Of course - burgers. We're talking beef burgers, chicken burgers and veggie burgers that come with free unlimited toppings so you can stack yours to your heart's desire.
Choose from a huge list such as lettuce, jalapenos, tomato, coleslaw, onion, grilled mushrooms - the list really does go.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find chicken tenders, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks and milkshakes.
Pretty much, they're bringing everything you're craving on your next cheat day to Duncan Street, and we're sure it's going to go down a storm. We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we find out.
Find out more about what to expect from Urban Fresh Burger here.
Sophie Smith -
4th March 2022 
