A Polish bakery in the West of Leeds had a record day for sales on Thursday, as hundreds of its doughnuts flew off the shelves in the name of 'Fat Thursday'.
Karpaty Polish bakery in Armley saw local residents flock to its doors as they stocked up on sugary treats like rose petal and plum jam-filled doughnuts ahead of Lent.
Fat Thursday or, as it is known in Poland, Tłusty Czwartek, is a day when people typically treat themselves to their favourite pastries and other sweet treats ahead of the religious period of abstention.
Karpaty
The bakery is hugely popular with local residents, as was shown yesterday when it sold over 1,000 of its doughnuts in just four hours.
Sandra Draszanowska, 22, who works at the bakery told the Yorkshire Evening Postyesterday that the bakery had been open since 7am and they had had queues spilling out of the doors and down the street all morning.
Image: Karpaty
She told the paper that she couldn't believe how busy the shop had been and that it was her first shift working on Fat Thursday, adding "Both Polish and English customers have been in, everyone loves it".
As well as their rose petal and plum jam doughnuts, another popular treat enjoyed at Karpaty on Fat Thursday were angel wings or Polish Chrusciki.
A key element of the Fat Thursday tradition, these treats are also a popular sweet enjoyed all over Poland all year long.
Crusty angel wings (Faworki) at Karpaty bakery. / Image: Karpaty
Made from wheat flour, eggs, margarine, sugar, salt, sour cream, alcohol, vinegar, these traditional sweet crisp pastries are made from dough that has been shaped into thin twisted ribbons, deep-fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
People travelled from far and wide to get their treats, with one customer saying he had come all the way from Bramley to pick up doughnuts for his family.
Called Stan, he said he had lived in the UK for 13 years but still loved to celebrate Fat Thursday.
Speaking to the YEP, he said: "All the family love different flavours."
"I always come to Karpaty as their doughnuts are absolutely huge.
"I live in Bramley but make the trip.
"It is definitely worth it."
News
Plans for Leeds Kirkgate Market ‘container village’, STACK, take huge step forward
A planning application has been submitted for a ‘container village’ attraction at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
It was submitted today, Friday 27 March, by STACK Leisure - a company that already runs popular food, drink and entertainment hubs in Lincoln, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The proposed STACK Leeds venue would be a two-storey structure made up of repurposed shipping containers, located in Leeds Kirkgate Market’s outdoor trading area.
It would feature six bars, eight street food outlets, a coffee shop, a large stage for live entertainment and giant digital screens.
The development is expected to increase footfall and broaden the customer base across the market and would also benefit the wider city centre and its existing hospitality businesses.
Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK Leisure, said: “We know from our previous experience that once STACK opens it brings huge economic benefits to the wider area.
“It will turn a spotlight on the Leeds Kirkgate Market area and bring in greatly increased footfall, not just to STACK Leeds but to both the indoor and outdoor market. One of the many reasons we are successful is because we offer something for everyone – we are family friendly, pet friendly and our entertainment programme is designed to have widespread appeal.
“It is important for us to become part of the local community and celebrate it, while supporting independent businesses at the same time. We firmly believe that STACK Leeds will be a huge asset to the city and we look forward to moving on with the scheme.”
Kikgate Market’s outdoor trading area currently has room for a total of 185 stalls, with around 85 of those being filled.
Should STACK Leeds secure planning approval, the number of pitches would be reduced and the freed-up space used as the location for the scheme.
Leeds Festival announces second wave of artists including Skepta b2b set
Thomas Melia
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
25th February 2022 
