The Cheesy Living Co. is quickly becoming Leeds go-to supplier for all things cheese and charcuterie.
After taking a passion project full-time during the second Covid lockdown, owners Jake and Soph haven't looked back since the launch of The Cheesy Living Co. in 2020.
Supplying renowned chef Matt Healy's Horsforth restaurant Forde with farmer's cured meats and ingredients, but still managing to attend just about every small business and foodie market across the city, The Cheesy Living Co. is one of the most humbled new businesses around.
The selection spans far further than just cheese or typical charcuterie meats. / Image: The Cheesy Living Co.
Aware of the popularity of their products, but taking things slow and making conscious business decisions, co-owner Jake spent years in hospitality before taking the plunge to launch his own business- and the time spent learning the intricacies of the industry shows.
With the help Soph, the other half of the business, the pair is ensuring that The Cheesy Living Co. is slowly making its way around the Leeds foodie scene- despite not having a physical, permanent store (though that's about to change soon).
SALT Craft + Cocktails has just launched a new bottomless brunch with unlimited cocktails and a cheese and charcuterie board in a collaborative project and the indie company is even supplying the latest hospitality nights, including 'The Comeback' Industry Boxing Night at the Corn Exchange found the charcuterie specialists serving their pork pies and small plate products to industry professionals battling it out for charity.
SALT Craft + Cocktails offers a bottomless brunch with a The Cheesy Living Co. charcuterie board. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The idea is that by the time their first store does open (which isn't too far away), you'll know exactly what The Cheesy Living Co. stands for; the quality of the products and the cheese company will find that sweet spot between slipping into the market and coming in with a bang.
Their clientele speaks volumes for the quality- and from next month you'll no longer have to wait for the next farmer's market or pop-up event to get your hands on The Cheesy Living Co. stock: you'll be able to pick it up with your weekly shop or on your daily commute in Leeds city centre.
Owner Jake outside new The Cheesy Living Co. store in the Corn Exchange. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Corn Exchange is set to host the debut Cheesy Living Co. store and although there's no confirmed opening date just yet, we're expecting the store to open within the coming weeks.
Transforming a former hairdresser's spot in the Corn Exchange is no easy challenge (especially when the walls come in a bright pink hue), and given that the owners Soph and Jake are trying to balance the renovations alongside supplying the city with their products, they're careful to take their time with the project and ensure that they only open once they feel ready to do so.
The eat-in cheese and charcuterie store is hoping to open in the coming weeks. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
At present, the company plans to offer a small seating area inside their store with a few seats spilling into the Corn Exchange's wooden floor. Located just behind Bruschetta, there's ample space for foodies to grab a bite or choose their desired meats, cheeses and other picky bits to take away.
To keep up to date with The Cheesy Living Co.'s progress and find out more about their opening, visit their Instagram page.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Sophie Smith -
6th May 2022 
