Gogglebox is back for another season and its first episode featured a cameo from a locally famous cake that has got the whole city talking this morning.
Stars Ellie and Izzi had a new living room to show off on the first episode of the show's new season and were also filmed tucking into some of Headingley's most expensive (and famous) cake.
When the new season's first episode began, the pair were pictured with quite a large selection of cakes and other sweet treats in front of them - all seemingly wrapped in the same Get Baked packaging.
Image: Channel 4
Called 'Bruce' the £9 a slice, 12-layer chocolate cake has garnered quite the reputation in Leeds since the city's viral Get Baked brand was revived earlier this year.
Its name references the young lad in Matilda who is force-fed a similar confection in front of the whole school as punishment for having been caught eating the Trunchbull's own personal stash earlier that day.
Headingley bakery Get Baked has made quite a lot of noise in the city lately, none more so than with this gargantuan cake: which combines twelve thin layers of chocolate sponge with slathers of thick, chocolate icing.
Image: Get Baked
Weighing in at 800g for just a slice, it is heavier than a full chocolate fudge cake from a supermarket - which typically weighs in at around 700g.
Justifying the '£9 a slice' price on their social media, the team said:
"Please remember, if you think £10 is extortionate for a slice of cake, just don’t buy it.
"All of our pies represent sensational value for money at £5 a slice, as do our brownies at £3.50 and cookies at £2.50 respectively.
"The plan here, is that by 2024, Bruce comes in two halves, and it’s £70 per half.
Image: Get Baked
"Done and done."
Whilst some might roll their eyes at the idea of paying nearly £10 for a slice of cake, as the Get Baked team admits themselves that this is not any old slice. It's a Bruce slice.
Spotting the cake on the show last night, they wrote on Facebook: "Yes, that was Bruce on Gogglebox.
"Big, sexy, famous b*****d."
We expect there will be some extra-long queues at the bakery this week. Find them here.
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Georgina Pellant -
20th September 2021 
