Looking for a January treat to wash away the dreary skies and cold nights?
If you're looking for a pick-me-up comfort food that combines your favourite sweet and savoury treats, you're in luck.
Lockdown success story and Leeds favourite charcuterie business, The Cheesy Living Co. have been treating customers to sweet salami with flavours like cookies and cream, peanut and caramel and rocky road.
It goes better than you think. So much so that the cheesy caterers are selling out fast of these sweet tasting delights.
Take the rocky road for example, it's a 250f rolled up slab of contrasting flavours that just work. It's a handmade Belgian chocolate salami with honeycomb, toffee, fudge and marshmallow covered in an ultra smooth creamy milk chocolate- what's not to love about that?
If you're looking for something a little less meaty, The Cheesy Living Co. have variations like the Cookies and Cream Salami, which comes as a dark chocolate shell containing a white chocolate ganache with crushed cookie pieces, a perfect snack to enjoy with a glass of milk.
The Peanut and Caramel Salami, on the other hand, is 250g of sweet handmade chocolate salami with a milk chocolate peanut butter ganache, whole peanuts and Cornish sea salt centre and coated in a caramelised milk chocolate- so similar but with sharp flavours for fans of nuts and crisp and tangy sensations.
Image: The Cheesy Living Co.
The Cheesy Living Co. is full of surprising flavours like this and it's their attention to taste buds that has allowed the company to make a considerable stamp on the Leeds foodie scene, despite opening less than a year ago.
Keep an eye on their website as "the chocolate salamis will be making a return to our online store soon" and we're sure they'll fly off the (virtual) shelves as soon as they do.
Whether you met Jake and Soph at the Corn Exchange or whilst visiting the Savvy Baker, or this is the first time you've heard of the new company, The Cheesy Living Co. is the small independent bringing a whole world of sweet meats and cheeses to Leeds that you need to know about.
At present, you can find the sweet salami online (when restocked), but it is hoped that the company will be moving into a permanent property soon where their selections of cured meats and cheese will be available for collection in Leeds city centre.
The duo are hoping to secure their first proper site where they can work from on a permanent basis. The pair have “found a location that provides an exciting opportunity for us to take the next step with the business” and we can't wait to hear more about their new project- but for now we'll settle with ordering online or spotting them at the next independent pop-up in the city centre.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
7th January 2022 
