The North Leeds Food Festival is back for another year- and it's bringing a whole host of foodie favourites and up-and-coming independent to Roundhay Park for an entire weekend.
Spread across two day, the annual North Leeds Food Festival will run from Saturday 14 May - Sunday 15 May 2022 with artisan produce aplenty.
Named Market Street, stalls from independent craft and produce vendors will line the park with small batch goods, including Mallow Gourmet Marshmallows, Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce and flavours from around the world.
Returning this year with highly-anticipated the Live Cookery Theatre, Leeds Cookery School will be rustling up some easy-to-make foodie specials for all ages to try whilst live chef demonstrations will allow you and your company to learn how to make speciality dishes from your own home.
If that's not enough, there will be deckchairs aplenty to lounge on, independent bar service from North Brew Co Ale House, with speciality cider, gin and wine bars- including some fresh coconut cocktail offerings.
Live music will keep the audience entertained from beginning to sunset and a host of family-friendly performers will ensure that all ages are left in awe or hysterics at their unique talents.
Think acclaimed hypnotists, magicians and top-rated comedians with family-friendly jokes each taking turns to line up around Roundhay Park whilst you unwind with a picnic of food collected from independent stallholders: it's going to be a lot of fun.
Image: North Leeds Food Festival
Collaborating with local artists to create graphic or hand-drawn interpretations of the event itself is just one of the ways that the North Leeds Food Festival puts community at the heart of its cause. Roundhay Park's North Leeds Food Festival also works with local charities and non-profits to share their earnings with causes for good in the community.
The festival has already raised over £45,000 for mental health charities like Mind, a national non-profit that supports people of all ages with mental illnesses.
Quoted as a "reyt good afternoon", this foodie haven is certainly worth a trip to the leafy suburb of Roundhay.
Tickets cost £7.95 for adults and £4.50 for under 16s by the day, with under 5s free of charge. If you're looking to spend a full weekend here, tickets cost just £12.95 per person.
For more information, including how to book your tickets for the food fest from Saturday 14 May - Sunday 15 May 2022 visit the North Leeds Food Festival website.
Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean as Jerk Junction is gearing up to open in Leeds.
The street food favourite has made waves in the foodie scene over in Manchester and Liverpool, so it's only right that its making its way into Trinity Kitchen.
Jerk Junction specialises in authentic Caribbean flavours, from dumplings and jerk chicken to curried goat and rice and peas, it's all flame-grilled and packed with island spices.
It is expected to open this spring.
Image: The Manc Group
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Jerk Junction to Trinity Kitchen and we’re sure it will prove very popular. Bringing an authentic Caribbean flavour to Leeds, it’s the perfect new addition and complements our already stellar line-up of street food vendors.”
Jake Shaffi, founder at Jerk Junction, said: “Jerk Junction is all about real Caribbean food and culture. Everything we do is rooted in Jamaican tradition, from bold spices and authentic cooking to dishes that bring people together.
“For us, food is family. From our kitchen to every person who comes to our counter, we want people to feel the warmth, the energy and the spirit of the islands. We can’t wait to bring those authentic flavours and good vibes to Trinity Kitchen.”
The announcement follows news that the UK’s largest independent boutique bowling brand Lane7, and footwear retailers schuh and Footasylum, would be opening at Trinity Leeds later this year, whilst the LEGO Store will be relocating to a larger space within the shopping centre.
Posting to their social media, The Maven said: "When news broke The Maven could close its doors at the end of March, the reaction across the city was immediate. The response from customers, bartenders, and hospitality operators showed just how much this bar means to Leeds.
"For nearly 15 years, The Maven has been one of the city’s most loved cocktail destinations and a true institution within the local bar scene.
"When we told you about its potential closure we were flooded with support and interest from across the hospitality community. In the days that followed, several Leeds-based operators stepped forward with genuine offers to buy the venue and keep the bar alive.
"At a time when our industry is too often filled with stories of closures, today brings a little hope - a story about a community stepping up to protect something it values.
"The reports that The Maven would close at the end of March are now firmly in the past: The Maven Lives.
"Thanks to the passion of the Leeds hospitality community and the loyalty of its guests, the bar will continue to be part of the city’s nightlife story. More details about the next chapter for The Maven will be shared soon."
Sophie Smith -
26th April 2022 
