North Leeds Food Festival has revealed it will be returning to the city this summer, filling Roundhay Park with a host of food stalls featuring some of the best eats in West Yorkshire.
Whilst full details of the 2021 food lineup are yet to be fully revealed, based on 2019's roster - which welcomed top Yorkshire chefs from venues like The Foundry, Harewood Food & Drink Project, Rudding Park, Theravadu - this is not an event to be missed.
Some information about traders has been teased out online, with pictures of delicious gooey brownies, cakes, cheesecakes, flapjacks, sweets, cinnamon buns beginning to surface.
There have also been mentions of special sweet traders serving freshly made crepes, traditional Mexican churros and authentic Hong Kong desserts like bubble waffles with ice cream.
An authentic Hong Kong dessert, bubble waffles with ice cream / Image: North Leeds Food Festival
This year, the festival will be held across two weekends in August (7-8th) and September (11-12th). There'll be hot street food stalls for you to grab a tasty bite, and retail stalls to pick up hard-to-get local ingredients to use in your cooking at home.
There'll be live chef demos, hosted in association with Zest Charity & Leeds Cookery School, and plenty of independent bars serving up some of the freshest beers, wines, and cocktails Leeds has to offer.
Attendees in Roundhay Park sitting around enjoying the food festival / Image: North Leeds Food Festival
On top of all this, there'll be a traditional fun fair and inflatables for the little ones to play on, live entertainment and music from jazz and soul artist Malaika.
Artwork from Leeds Art University students will be displayed throughout the festival, and there'll also be a dedicated 'wellness' section with wellbeing stalls, independent cosmetic brands and yoga talks.
Further entertainment across the weekend will come from magicians Matthew J and Magic Matt, plus a free kids quiz and 'fact hunt'.
A bartender pours a glass of prosecco behind the bar at the food festival / Image: North Leeds Food Festival http://Attendees in Roundhay Park sitting around enjoying the food festival
Day tickets are priced at £4.98 for adults, and those bought for 2020's event are still valid for this year's North Leeds Food Festival. Tickets for under 16s are just £1.50 and under 5s go free.
To grab yours and find out more, visit the website here.
Eats
‘This recognition belongs to you’ – Leeds restaurant added to the Michelin Guide just months after opening
A newcomer to the Leeds foodie scene has been added to the coveted Michelin Guide.
You may remember back in April when a Leeds icon was reborn under a different name.
The Smithfield took over the site that was home to The Reliance for more than two decades, and it's safe to say it exceeded expectations.
The team transformed the site to its former glory, taking the site's exterior back to its memorable dark red. But the efforts to recapture the essence of the iconic old venue go way beyond that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Smithfield, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, offers simple dining with seasonal food and natural wines.
It's the sort of place where you can rock up for a plate and a glass people watching through the huge window on North Street, or really get stuck into a sharing pie and chips with friends on a Saturday afternoon.
Either way we love it, and it seems we're not the only ones as The Smithfield has been added to the Michelin Guide just five months after opening.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Announcing the great news to Instagram, The Smithfield said: "We’re very pleased and grateful to have been included in the Michelin Guide.
"To get this kind of recognition so early in our journey is a real honour, and one we certainly don’t take for granted.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Thank you to our wonderful guests for your continued support. Also, huge thanks to our brilliant team. The Smithfield is what it is because of your hard work, enthusiasm, energy and diligence. This recognition belongs to you.
"We’re just getting started, and our focus remains the same: creating a welcoming space for our community, serving food and drink we’re proud of, championing great British and local produce, and contributing our small part towards Leeds’ brilliant hospitality scene. The Smithfield."
Iconic Betty’s Tea Room wins gold at 2026 Great British Food Awards
Clementine Hall
Betty's Tea Room has been named among the nation's best by experts.
If you live in Yorkshire, then you will know about Betty's Tea Room.
Its a real institution at this point, known for their exceptional service, exquisite food, beautiful window displays and the iconic cake trolley.
We all know their products are top tier, but they've just had even more recognition at the 2026 Great British Awards.
Announced in London, Betty's won gold for their Yorkshire Shortbread Biscuits which were judged by Cherish Finden, internationally renowned pastry chef.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Judging in the Sweet Biscuits category was led by Cherish Finden, best known as a judge on Bake Off: The Professionals.
She said: "A well-made traditional shortbread with a lovely buttery flavour, balanced sweetness and a subtle touch of salt that enhances the overall taste. The delicate, crumbly texture makes it particularly pleasant to eat.
"Overall, it is a very enjoyable and satisfying shortbread. I could eat the whole packet with a cup of tea."
Gavin Johnson, head of bakery operations at Bettys Craft Bakery, said: "We are incredibly proud that our Yorkshire Shortbread has been awarded a Gold Medal at The Great British Food Awards 2026.
"This recognition reflects the enduring values of Bettys, the finest ingredients, best quality, traditional craftsmanship and a deep connection to our Yorkshire roots.
"Most importantly, the award belongs to the talented bakery team, whose skill, passion and care go into making our Yorkshire shortbread every day.
"Their commitment to excellence helps ensure that our products reflect the heritage, quality and attention to detail that customers have associated with Bettys for generations."
Georgina Pellant -
2nd July 2021 
