The Ilkley Food and Drink Festival will return to East Holmes Field for a celebration of international food, independent drink, live music, arts and charity.
After attracting a whopping 20,000 attendees to the quaint spa town of Ilkley over the past two years, organisers promise that this year's festival will be bigger and better than ever before.
Taking place from Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 June 2023, visitors can expect an impressive array of street food venders, bars, fine artisan markets, live cooking demos and a whole lot more.
Take a stroll through the idyllic green fields of East Holmes Field and be greeted with the smells and temptations of delicious food from all over the world.
Image: Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
After tucking into something yummy, why not put your feet up on one of the deck chairs whilst placing an order from one of the eight independent bars which will be quenching people's thirsts all weekend.
Fancy getting in on the action? The Ilkley Food and Drink Festival will be hosting a full Live Chef’s demo stage for the entire weekend. Working with Zest Charity & Leeds Cookery School, you can watch the region’s best chef’s rustle up a storm.
Image: Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
Each chef will be showcasing unique culinary expertise and focusing on a variety of different ingredients and cuisines from around the world.
Of course after being surrounded by such amazing food, you'll definitely want to take some goodies home with you and you can do so by browsing the fine artisan markets shacking up for the weekend. Showcasing some of the best independent producers from across the UK, tuck into a gooey brownie before sampling some cheese and taking your perfect match home with you.
Image: Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
And it doesn't stop there, across the weekend there will be live entertainment, music, children's entertainment and loads of activities to keep you occupied.
The festival's charity partner is Mind in Bradford who they have already raised over £65,000 for over the past two years. They'll be collecting donations through ticket sales as well as fun activities and competitions taking place over the weekend.
Early bird tickets are available now for just £6 each including booking fee, so if you're thinking of going then save yourself a few quid and book now via their website.
Renowned food critic Jay Rayner is singing his praises about a certain Leeds restaurant.
And it's probably a restaurant you've walked past time and time again, but have never thought to pop in.
Named Sous Le Nez, this independent French-inspired bistro and wine bar is tucked away in the basement of Quebec House on Quebec Street, right in the heart of the city centre.
Translating roughly as "under the nose", it's particularly fitting as its food and wine is now being hailed as some of the best in Britain by Jay Rayner himself.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Feeding the people of Leeds since 1991, has some of the best food in the city been under our nose this whole time?
Appearing on the Routes LNER podcast hosted by Jenni Falconer, Rayner was asked about his favourite three restaurants in Britain to which Sous Le Nez got a very special mention.
Jay Rayner said: “Sous Le Nez, an old stager in Leeds that has been there a very long time.
“Great wine list. Nothing on the menu will surprise you but it is done very very well.”
Elsewhere on the podcast, he gives a very quick shoutout Domo in Sheffield (also now in Leeds) for their special Lobster on toast.
It's safe to say that Jay loves a bit of Leeds, back in January he gave The Highland Laddie a glowing review hailing it 'the pub that refuses to die' and in 2024 he labeled Zucco in Meanwood 'the perfect Italian'.
High, high praise indeed. You can listen to the podcast here and you can find out more about the fabulous Sous Le Nez here.
Popular Yorkshire burger chain to move into old Five Guys site in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
From one burger chain to the next...
The big Five Guys site on Duncan Street by The Corn Exchange has been empty for quite some time now, after the chain moved into a new premises on the top floor of Trinity Shopping Centre.
But now, a new burger joint is taking its place.
Urban Fresh Burger was born back in 2017 over in Doncaster and has since built a cult following across Yorkshire, opening a total of five sites.
Their selling point is offering a 'healthier' style of burger using fresh and local ingredients, all of which are fully customisable and made to order.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But don't just take our word for it, here's how Urban Fresh Burger describe themselves: "A healthier choice with flawless flavour, our signature smashed burgers and hand-cut fresh fries keep customers coming back.
"Our secret sauce? Choosing only the freshest, best quality ingredients from local suppliers. It’s a commitment we’ve held true to since day one, and one we’ll never compromise on."
So, what can you expect to see on the menu? Of course - burgers. We're talking beef burgers, chicken burgers and veggie burgers that come with free unlimited toppings so you can stack yours to your heart's desire.
Choose from a huge list such as lettuce, jalapenos, tomato, coleslaw, onion, grilled mushrooms - the list really does go.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find chicken tenders, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks and milkshakes.
Pretty much, they're bringing everything you're craving on your next cheat day to Duncan Street, and we're sure it's going to go down a storm. We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we find out.
Find out more about what to expect from Urban Fresh Burger here.
Clementine Hall -
17th February 2023 
