A popular restaurant in Chapel Allerton has announced its closure with immediate effect, leaving local fans of its Malaysian cooking feeling gutted.
Dapur Malaysia's owner Valerie shared the news via an Instagram post on the business's Instagram page last week, writing that things had been difficult ever since the restaurant first opened in 2019.
Between mandated closures as a result of the pandemic and the rising cost of living, she said that running the business had been 'tough' and, whilst always being 'up for a challenge', her struggle to hold things together at the Leeds eatery had taken 'a toll on family life'.
As a result, she said that, whilst it saddened her to close the restaurant, she is 'relieved that it is over'.
Fortunately, it's not all bad news. The restaurant, opened in memory of owner Valerie's mum, will continue on in other forms.
She will be reopening Dapur Malaysia, on a much smaller scale, in her hometown Huddersfield and continuing to offer local takeaways as well as nationwide deliveries of her award-winning ready meals.
Image: Dapur Malaysia
Valerie also revealed that she will return in May 2023 with a planned stint at Trinity Kitchen, so Leeds fans will also be able to get their hands on her cooking then.
The full statement read: "I am sorry to inform you that our Leeds restaurant is closed with immediate effect.
"Since we opened our restaurant in August 2019, we have faced some challenging circumstances. We have been forced to shut or trade under some form of restrictions for approximately half that time. Unfortunately, the price rises across the board this year have made it impossible to continue trading as a restaurant.
"I opened the restaurant in memory of my Mum and found it comforting recreating the food I grew up with. I loved sharing these with all our patrons, the pandemic however showed us where our strengths lay, our takeaway and our Great Taste award-winning ready meal range will be our focus moving forward.
Image: Dapur Malaysia
"We are reopening in Huddersfield (where we live) all be it on a much smaller scale in the next few weeks so you can still order ready meals range with nationwide delivery from www.dapurathom.com as well as outside catering.
"On a personal note, it saddens me to have to close the restaurant, but I am also relieved that it is over. I’ve always been up for a challenge, but it’s been tough for me and my husband to hold it all together this last year and it has taken a toll on our family life.
"I would like to thank all our staff past and present particularly Tomasz, Mark and Genti who have stayed with us from the beginning. Their loyalty, hard work, sense of humour and kindness has made it enjoyable to come into work. I will miss all of them and our chats and jokes.
"Lastly many thanks to the Chapel Allerton community who warmly welcomed us and all our customers who have supported us from the time we opened. It was an honour to be able to share the food I love with you. We will be back in Leeds in May at Trinity Kitchen where we hope to see you.
"With love, Valerie."
Comments have flooded in thick and fast as followers reacted to the news, with one person saying: "Hold your head high Valerie! Your beautiful food, the Dapur Malaysia brand & all it stands for, lives on! The new takeaway spot brings an exciting new addition to Huddersfield! 👏 Wishing you all the best xx"
Another person said: "So sad to see you guys go! We’ve loved having you as neighbours ❤️"
A third added: "Heartbroken, we love your food and the ethos behind your business. Good luck for everything in the future ❤️"
A fourth said: "So sorry to hear you were dealing with such behind-the-scenes issues! All the very best in Hudd x"
If you would like to support Dapur Malaysia, you can order their Dapur At Home ready meals online via their website here.
Feature image - Dapur Malaysia
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The Yorkshire artist who’s put together the official FIFA World Cup scarf collection
A Yorkshire-born and bred artist and his creative team have earned the huge honour of creating the official FIFA scarf collection for this year's World Cup.
Nothing short of massive for anyone from our part of the world.
The local legend in question is Tom Pitts, who was born in Sheffield and is now based just beyond Leeds, leading the campaign right from the helm.
Hand Drawn Pixels is a graphic design and digital studio based in Otley, and while you'll see plenty of folks wearing football shirts and even the odd scarf on the town's famous pub crawl, these lot are venturing on an entirely different kind of run this summer.
In fact, the work has very much already started, with Tom and co. collaborating directly with FIFA and US manufacturers, Global Scarves, to create the World Cup collection.
With this year's tournament obviously taking place across America, Mexico and Canada, they've joined up with a big LLC, but they describe themselves as "a true English custom scarf company with American parents."
In their words, "We knit scarves for clients all over the world", with a presence both near Leeds and over in Seattle, Washington.
The fixtures themselves kick off next month (England's first game coming against Croatia on 17 June), and so Hand Drawn Pixels have been hard at work meeting the briefs for each of the nations taking part.
Here's a quick breakdown of how the opportunity came about, their vision for the project, and how everything starts for them as a whole process.
You can see more of their work HERE, but as the brand name would suggest, it's pretty simple to begin with: nothing more than a pencil.
It's worth noting that the 2026 World Cup also featured the largest number of teams in the competition's history: 48 qualified national squads, to be exact. So, technically, they've had even more designing to do than they theoretically would have in any of the previous years, too.
Tom confessed that winning this bid is obviously a big deal on its own and that seeing his creations being worn in person by supporters at the stadiums will be a "surreal" experience.
Speaking exclusively with The Hoot, he said: "It’s been an amazing creative challenge for us to truly reflect the individuality and diversity of the nations competing in this prestigious tournament on such an iconic product as the football scarf."
He went on to add that "the whole project has been a huge learning experience, gaining deeper cultural insight into every nation involved."
We can't wait to cast eyes upon a sea of colour and finely crafted fabric in unique but somehow universally familiar patterns, all designed right here in 'God's Own Country'.
Award-winning Sardinian restaurant Domo announces Leeds opening date
Clementine Hall
Domo will officially open the doors to its Leeds venue this summer.
Get ready for Domo Leeds, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
Domo has confirmed it will officially open the doors to its first Leeds venue on Friday June 5, so we really don't have long to wait.
Located at the iconic Tower Works development, Domo Leeds will offer a vibrant new canal-side destination, perfect for the summer months.
Alongside the main restaurant menu, there’ll be a dedicated bar food menu designed around relaxed dining and carefully crafted small plates designed to pair with the drinks offering creating a more informal way for guests to experience Sardinian flavours.
Domo co-founder, Sarah Elliott-Busceddu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to finally open the doors and welcome people into Domo Leeds. From day one, our vision has been to create a space where everyone feels welcome and somewhere that brings people together in the true spirit of Sardinian hospitality.
“Whether it’s an evening out with friends, a relaxed catch-up over drinks after work, or a big family celebration, we’ve designed Domo to feel warm, inclusive and full of life. We can’t wait for people in Leeds to experience not just the food and drinks, but the atmosphere and sense of community that sits at the heart of everything we do.”
Georgina Pellant -
25th October 2022 
