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This Leeds Deli is running the most Instagrammable mum’s club- and it’s on an important mission
"We know only too well that being at home with a baby or toddler isn’t always fun and games (trust us we learnt this the hard way) - thanks to lockdown 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0."
Two lockdown mums have created the most aesthetic mum's club around, but it's all for a great cause: to bring new parents like-minded company.
If you're a new mum, expectant mum or long-time mum or dad: however you identify as a parent, there's support and newfound friends waiting for you- all you need to do is head to one of the most beautiful mum's clubs we've ever come across.
The Leeds Deli Mum Club isn't just there for the 'gram, though photo ops are aplenty, the group is on a mission to bring parents together and offer a morning in the company of others. Those that know exactly what its like trying to navigate life through parenthood in between lockdowns, family politics and everything else that the world is throwing at us right now.
The group is the perfect occasion to sample goods from The Leeds Deli. / Image: The Leeds Deli
"We know only too well that being at home with a baby or toddler isn’t always fun and games (trust us we learnt this the hard way) - thanks to lockdown 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0." says Tory, Co-Founder of the group.
It's a very important and worthwhile objective after the solitude of parenting in a pandemic and we're so excited to see something like this pop up in Leeds.
At each meeting, we're told no questions are off limits and all babies are kept entertained with soft play toys. There's even a mini deli for your little ones to play in whilst you grab a snack from the real version.
Hosted by Tory & George from The Leeds Deli & Fox & Moon., both local lockdown mums, the pair have been on a quest to create a community of local mums.
"The Leeds Deli Mum Club is definitely the closest we’ve been to ‘clubbing’ in a LONG time. There is in fact no clubbing going on" says Tori, from The Leeds Deli and Co-Founder of The Leeds Deli Mum Club.
"We're not regular mums, we're cool mums!!' or that is at least what we tell ourselves!"
"On a serious note, this event is all about socialising with like minded people and getting a chance to chat all about the highs and lows of parenting (and everything in between) without judgement."
Founders Tory and George. / Image: The Leeds Deli
The world has changed dramatically in the last twelve months, and with it, so has the way that we socialise, so clubs like this have become more important than ever.
"It's a way of meeting new people, making new friends and enjoying adult conversation with our little ones in tow – it’s not often you get to do both at the same time."
Soft play activities are supplied by a local company called Tiny Trio Play. / Image: The Leeds Deli
"Yes, there are moments of parenting that make us smile and melt our hearts but it can also be a little lonely and dare I say it... boring; and that’s exactly why we launched our Mum Club."
The Leeds Deli Mum Club is open to everyone: Tory told us that "expectant mums, new mums, bambinos in arms, toddler mums and also baby free and obviously dads are more than welcome to join the monthly event as well"- just make sure you get yourself a ticket well in advance as the club is growing ever-popular.
The most Instagrammable mum's club around brings parents on all sorts of journeys together. / Image: The Leeds Deli
The club works with a local soft play hire company called Tiny Trio Play, so there’s always plenty going on to keep the little ones entertained, but for grown ups there's "a bucket load of caffeine", including tea, coffee, Diet Coke and even morning Mimosas available.
Tickets cost £18.50 for each event, but this includes drinks and snacks for both grown ups and little ones, as well as "a chance to laugh, moan, make new friends, meet old friends & generally get out the house".
"May your coffee be strong and baby naps long". / Image: The Leeds Deli
As you can imagine, the luxury club is a highly sought after occasion for mums around Leeds, so the next event in February is already sold out. Luckily, there's still plenty of dates throughout the spring and summer months for mums on all journeys to attend.
The next available The Leeds Deli Mum Club will be held on Monday 13 March and will be held over three different time slots: 9am -11am, 11.30am - 1.30pm, 2pm - 4pm.
Themed around 'Mums, we dig you' - this session is inspired by owner Tory’s little boy Freddie and his obsession with diggers, so expect all things construction themed.
Feature Image- The Leeds Deli
Eats
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
The independent Leeds cafe speaking up after massive coffee chain opens opposite
Daisy Jackson
An independent bakery and coffee shop in Leeds has spoken out after a huge chain opened its doors opposite her cafe.
Savannah Roqaa, owner of The Savvy Baker, has said that she's on a mission to overtake the sales of Blank Street, the massive matcha chain that opened just metres away within weeks of her new site.
She said that while her brand is best-known for its baked goods, they also specialise in high-quality matcha - something Sav says wasn't in good supply in Leeds at the time she opened.
And now she's publicly spoken out about her mission to tempt people away from the big chain and into her independent business.
In a video shared online, Sav has been inviting customers leaving Blank Street to swap their matcha for one of hers, free of charge.
She then remakes the white chocolate matcha herself, but using quality Callebaut white chocolate, melting real chocolate into the drink.
The customer in the video says: "You can tell, it's way sweeter and like actually white chocolate tasting. And the matcha is greener, which is better."
Sav from The Savvy Baker has spoken of her mission to overtake Blank StreetMatcha from The Savvy Baker in Leeds
Sav said: "So when we signed the lease on literally the biggest risk ever, which is this huge shop in Leeds city centre, we had absolutely no idea that Blank Street were opening their biggest store in the entire world across the road.
"They are a global brand that is obviously very very popular, and we just wanted to try and at least match their sales."
She said that she's heard Blank Street sells 5,000 drinks every single week and is hoping to increase sales at The Savvy Baker enough to match.
Sav said: "Last week we sold 890 drinks. We've converted one, so that is 4,109 more people to convert...
"But we have a lot more tricks up our sleeve, so follow along to see if we can do it. And we would massively appreciate any support that you can give us."
Sophie Smith -
8th March 2023 
