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.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
7th January 2022 
