There's a lovely cafe in Roundhay that's run almost entirely by adults living with disabilities like Down's syndrome, autism and loss of hearing.
Called Cafe Leep, it's an extension of Leep 1 - a self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities that launched about ten years ago.
The cafe itself opened in 2015 and was very busy pre-covid. Ingredients are sourced locally where possible, and there's a daily specials menu that uses up donated supermarket food from FareShare that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Here people can learn the skills they need to progress into the world of paid work, like preparing and cooking food, food safety hygiene, applying for jobs, interview techniques and professional etiquette.
The cafe serves a full breakfast and lunch menu, with morning favourites like the full English, bacon sandwich and toasted teacakes all good and present as you'd expect.
There's a good selection of veggie options on offer, with daily specials, omelettes, baked potatoes, cold and warm sandwiches, toasties, burgers and salads all making appearance at lunch.
And of course there's a good supply of coffee, tea and cake to get stuck into all day long.
Staff range from 19 to 62, and all undertake a level 1 or 2 NVQ programme in food safety whilst training at Cafe Leep. Four or five also go for professional barista training at Caffe Society in Sherburn In Elmet.
When it initially opened, the plan was to just sell coffee and cake but after manager Angie Marshall came on board with significant catering expertise she decided to introduce a bigger menu.
Now as well as serving customers in the day, Cafe Leep also runs several cooking classes a week and provides catering for functions and events. There's also the hope of expanding into the city centre and opening a second site, Cafe Leep 2.
The cafe is currently running a fundraiser to replace their coffee machine after the old one broke during lockdown. The new machine is crucial to helping with staff's coffee training.
It states: "Café Leep wants to change people’s perceptions of adults with learning disabilities and see their abilities and Not disabilities by helping our trainees gain qualifications and employment."
So far, they've raised £4,635 of the £5,000 target, If you'd like to donate to Cafe Leep’s GoFundMe campaign, visit the GoFundMe website.
Eats
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Georgina Pellant -
10th June 2021 
