Make yourself some toasty treats whilst grabbing your Christmas shopping.
Naturally, Trinity shopping centre is likely to make an appearance on anyone's Christmas shopping stop. Between the huge kitchen space with pop up food trucks to the wealth of stores- including some gorgeous independent creative spaces- it's easy to spend hours hunting down the perfect gift.
The much-loved Après Ski-themed decorations are up and there's plenty of Christmas trees to remind you of the holidays as you stroll through the floors- but now you can also grab a sweet treat and learn how to decorate s'mores for yourself.
The shopping centre has announced that it will be launching its first-ever make-your-own s’mores pop-up alongside a number of 'Après Ski Weekender' events and decorations.
Trinity is in the Christmas spirit already. / Image: Supplied
It all kicks off this weekend from Saturday 26 November 2022 with DJs bringing festive hits to shoppers and a special giveaway- including handmade s'mores kits.
Then, those wanting to get messy with an interactive foodie experience should return the following weekend for a 'special s'mores experience' on Saturday 3 December and Sunday 4 December 2022.
Grab yourself a pot of mouthwatering s’mores with crumbled cookies and melted chocolate ganache, finished with pillowy marshmallow from Leeds-based business The Marshmallowist- all for free over the December weekend.
But that's not all, each pot of s’mores will be toasted to perfection with customisable flavours like vanilla, raspberry, champagne and gingerbread all hand-piped onto the s'mores, before adding sprinkles of toppings like Christmas pudding and honeycomb to ‘bacon crumble’ and roasted parsnip crisps.
Nick Jones, Assistant Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “Christmas is just around the corner and we’re celebrating in style at Trinity Leeds, with live DJ performances, special surprises and giveaways and free sweet treats to get everyone in the festive spirit.
“We’re excited to announce the launch of our unique custom s’mores pop-up, which is like nothing we have ever done before at the centre. With festive flavours such as pigs in blankets, roast parsnips and Christmas pudding with brandy soaked fruit, we’re sure the delicious pick-me-up will go down a treat with guests.”
There will also be a gift wrapping service available from Trinity Guest Services that will be running from Thursday 1 December until Christmas Eve. All donations will go towards the St Vincent's charity, who help to support vulnerable people and families across the city centre.
For more information on the Après Ski activities or how to get involved in any of the festivities at the shopping centre, visit the Trinity Leeds website.
Feature Image- Supplied
Leeds
Independent Nordic-inspired homeware shop closes Leeds store after six years
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Sophie Smith -
22nd November 2022 
