A former foreign student was so taken with Leeds that when he returned to China he set up his own chain of 'English pizza' restaurants.
Whilst Li Zhu studied at Leeds Beckett University, he took a job at a local Domino's pizza to help fund him through his undergraduate and masters courses in business.
He fell in love with English food and culture, and after leaving his Domino's management job and returning to China he started to miss the city he'd called home for seven years.
Customers watch a pizza being prepared at a Leeds pizza restaurant in Changsha / Image: Li Zhu
So in 2011, two years after moving back, he set up his own tribute to the city: a Leeds-inspired pizza restaurant in his hometown, Changsha.
Ten years later, he has a chain of restaurants across China but insists the food is as authentically "British" as ever.
Specialities of the pizza restaurant include the Leeds sirloin steak and the Leeds fillet steak.
Called Leeds Pizza, the chain emulates the takeaway style of pizza popular in England and has reportedly amassed a lot of international fans.
Pizzas are prepared by staff at one of the Leeds pizza restaurant in Changsha / Image: Li Zhu
"I started missing the British delicacies and pizzas especially, and hoped for friends and family in my hometown to try these foods," said Li.
"It was named Leeds because I love Leeds, and it's where I learnt my skills."
"I'm so happy to bring the local cuisine and culture of Leeds to the people of my hometown and international friends.
"I want more people to know about Leeds and hope one day the locals of Leeds have a chance to come and visit Changsha - it's the Chinese fashion capital with beautiful scenery."
Eats
Popular New York-style pop-up pizza business to open first takeaway in Leeds
Announcing the news to Instagram, Edge's Pizza said: "Well there’s good reason for our silence over the last few months, (planning permission pending) we’ve got a home! Seven months of looking and we’ve learnt so much on this journey already, from investment that didn’t work out, to dodgy buildings not fit for purpose. We’ve got there in the end.
"All that to say, we pride ourselves on perfection and wouldn’t settle for anything less. We hope this will be worth the wait, and that you’ll support us on this next huge step. We are terrified to say the least, but we’re also so excited and immensely grateful to you our lovely customers for this opportunity."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This would be great news for Leeds, as their pizza is something unlike anything we have in the city at the moment.
Forget the floppy, Neapolitan-slices that you fold before shoving in your gob. These slices are satisfyingly thin, perfectly crispy and just downright delicious.
We would love to welcome Edges Pizza to the city and we'll keep you updated with the progress. You can bet we'll be the first to order.
Award-wining Leeds sandwich shop Silver’s Deli to open neighbourhood bakehouse
Clementine Hall
Silver's Deli is opening up a sister shop, and this time it's about everything baked.
We all know and love Silver's Deli for their stacked subs and breakfast sandwiches that could cure any hangover no matter how severe.
They're so good, that they even bagged the coveted Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Award last year.
And rightly so, because Silver's is absolutely class.
And it seems there's just no stopping Silver's, as they've just announced that they'll be opening a sister shop named Silver's Bakehouse serving up everything, yep you guessed it, baked.
It'll also be in Farsley where the original Silver's is, and they're labelling the new venture as 'your neighbourhood bake shop'.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Silver's Deli said: "Well it’s happening. I said no more shops, but it’s kinda necessary, and I just love all things baked.
"There’s waaaaaaaaay too many details to share on this right now, but go give our sister shop @silvers_bakehouse a new follow and hold on tight. This is gonna be fun as fuck."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Customers can expect a wider range of Silver's goodies that they're unable to whip up in the current space. From soft amaretti biscuits and their famous cookies to sausage rolls and brownies that the team have been working on for 12 months.
We're in no doubt that this venture is going to be absolutely brilliant, and you best believe we'll be first in line to try one of those brownies.
Silver's Bakehouse will be located on Town Street in Farsley and is expected to open this May.
Georgina Pellant -
20th May 2021 
