Manjit Kaur of Manjit's Kitchen was named for making "a mark on the city’s Punjabi food scene" and supporting women into the workplace.
CODE's 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality 2022 has brought together a list of 100 inspiring women from across the UK, from national lobbyists and chairwomen to behind-the-scenes talent changing the face of their community, this is a seriously coveted list to have be included in.
The judges panel, made up of food, diversity and identity writer Melissa Thompson; Evening Standard's chief restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa; co-founder of Hawksmoor, Will Beckett; previous panelist Claire Koffman and Good Food Guide contributor since the 90s, Elizabeth Carter, chose a range of hospitality representatives, one of which was right here in Leeds.
Chef and owner of Manjit's Kitchen, Manjit Kaur has been named in CODE Hospitality's top 100 women in hospitality, particularly noting Manjit's support in her local community and helping to give other women a leg up and into work themselves.
Image: Manjit's Kitchen
What the judges had to say about Manjit: "As chef owner of Manjit’s Kitchen in Leeds, Kaur has made a mark on the city’s Punjabi food scene. She is also a support for women in her community – one that often expects women to stay at home – enter work."
Owner of two restaurants in Leeds Market and Kirkstall, Manjit's Kitchen is described in CODE's interview as "Openhearted, resilient and rooted in the community".
If you've had the opportunity to taste test some of Manjit's dishes, you'll know exactly why it's far more than her personality that's made this happen.
Image: Manjit's Kitchen
The menu at Manjit's Kitchen is considered in options and rich in flavour. There's Mango Lassi to soothe the lunchtime crowd and inventive options like pakora and chilli paneer wraps amongst classic favourites like onion bhajis, Thali bowls and Vada Pau, The Mumbai Sandwich.
Think Spiced mashed potato ball in a gram flour batter, green chutney, tamarind, dry garlic chutney on a beetroot bun, as just one example of the fusions of flavour the kitchen offers busy city commuters or those looking for a hot midday treat from the markets.
Pakora wrap. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is meat-free and with the exception of husband Michael, an entirely female team. In an interview with CODE about celebrating ten years in business and pandemic-related worries, Manjit explained that this was no accident.
"My staff have husbands that don’t allow them to go to work – their main role is to stay at home, look after the kids and cook. So it’s nice to bring these ladies out and their husbands feel safe knowing they’re working for me, an Asian lady.
Inside the Kirkstall restaurant. / Image: Manjit's Kitchen
"Some of them didn’t have the confidence to speak English and now they’re running the place. It’s beautiful to see and it makes me so proud."
It's easy to see from this that here in Leeds we're fortunate enough to have far more than some incredible culinary skills, we have kind-hearted chefs aplenty, and Manjit is just one example of the difference fantastic women are making in hospitality.
Congratulations Manjit.
Feature Image- Manjit's Kitchen
Eats
The charming French bistro that’s been a Leeds favourite for over 30 years
Tucked away from the bustling streets of the city centre you’ll find a Leeds institution that has been serving diners since 1991.
You've probably walked past Sous Le Nez hundreds of times and not popped in.
But if we can convince you to do anything, it's to head down those unassuming stairs on Quebec Street and ask for a table.
Set in a cavernous basement, the space is full of nooks and crannies, and in a flash, you’ll be whisked away to the South of France with stellar service and white tablecloths to match.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their food is classic French cuisine done to an excellent standard.
We're talking indulgent French onion soup, rich pan-seared duck breast, juicy rump steak with silky peppercorn sauce and moule-frites served in a sauce good enough for drinking.
And if the food isn't enough to get you excited, then wait until you hear about the wine list.
Featuring over 300 wines, you'll find a tipple to suit every taste and every flavour on the menu.
As well as its a la carte menu, they offers it's menu du soir which is available until 6:45pm on weekdays and on a Saturday lunch time.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It includes three courses including half a bottle of excellent wine per person. I mean, you really can't get better value then that, can you?
More recently, renowned food critic Jay Rayner praised Sous Le Nez for its fabulous food and we couldn't agree more. And if it's good enough for Jay, then it's certainly good enough for us.
This is the sort of spot that is full of regulars no matter the time of day, whether they’re stopping by for a quick lunch or indulging in their evening menu - it’s no surprise they’ve been a firm Leeds favourite for over 30 years.
You can find out more about Sous Le Nez and book your table here.
One of Leeds’ most loved sushi restaurants has just opened a second location in the city
Clementine Hall
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
Sophie Smith -
15th July 2022 
