There's only three weeks to go before you can grab one of the long-awaited Festive Bakes.
Like the obligatory pair of socks in your stocking on Christmas morning and the office party that always ends in too much eggnog, the Festive Bake from Greggs is just one of those wintry treats that have to be enjoyed around the Christmas period.
This year, Greggs are launching two of their long-awaited bakes: the original Festive Bake and its vegan counterpart, made from Quorn.
The new vegan slice took inspiration from the original Festive Bake, but as a delicious meat-free alternative, there are a few changes to the recipe.
The Vegan Festive Bake is filled with savoury flavour Quorn mycoprotein pieces with sage and onion stuffing balls ad vegan bacon cumb, wonderfully finished with a mouth-watering sage and cranberry sauce and wrapped in puff pastry.
This year the famous Festive Bake from Greggs will be joined by a vegan version. / Image: Greggs
The original Festive Bake will return in all of its glory: creamy chicken pieces, bursting from sage and onion stuffing and sweetcure bacon. This tempting treat is smothered in sage sage and cranberry sauce and encased in a delicious crumb topped pastry.
The bakery favourite made its debut back in 2009, and just seems to become increasingly irresistible each year.
Greggs' latest seasonal menu truly embodies the taste of Christmas, but before you start hanging the tinsel and get the Christmas tree decorations from the attic, there are still three more weeks to go before the launch.
After all, we do need to get Halloween out of the way first.
Set your reminder for Thursday 4 November and get down to your local for a taste Christmas dinner and let the festive countdown commence.
Both bakes will cost from £1.60 and will be available subject to availability, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out. We can imagine this is going to be a hot sale.
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 -
15th October 2021 
