Leeds biggest celebration of independent food and drink is back for another year.
Returning for 2022, Leeds Indie Food has announced this morning that they will be hosting a mini festival spanning across a whopping ten days.
Kicking things off on Thursday 19 May 2022, Leeds city centre will be showcasing the finest of Leeds independent culinary talent, with plenty of unique experience, one-off collaborations and exciting events to get involved in.
Expect big names like Ox Club and Kirkstall Brewery to come together to create an exclusive taster menu, filling tables with produce from God's Own Country as well as celebrating beers old and new to provide the perfect pairing.
Image: Chapter 81
Rolling Social Events is also teaming up with The Tetley and Starward Whisky and Plantation Rum with Bastard Bistro to offer the ultimate booze experience. Expect local supper clubs across the city to take pride and place on the calendar, whilst vegan yoga and brunch services will offer daytime food and drink with a difference.
The likes of handmade pasta specialists Sarto collab with renowned Latitude is also a must-visit experience that will offer a five-course pairing meal including wine, aperitifs and digestifs to compliment the service as part of Leeds Indie Food's festivities.
If that's not enough, Friends of Ham will be sharing an exclusive five-course taster menu paired with wines, beers and cocktails- each of which will be introduced and inspired by a clip from Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown, an award-winning video from the celebrated chef's food and travel show.
Image: Chapter 81
Stuzzi will be also transport diners through the senses with an evening of 'zero miles dining', a menu which highlights local independent suppliers, changing on a weekly basis to make space for farmers, foragers and more.
Little Bao Boys will also making an appearance over the Leeds Indie Food period with one of their well known Laksa evenings.
The mini food festival and culinary events are timed with the launch of the new Leeds Indie Food website: which will act as a promotional tool and an "inclusive hub for Leeds' independent businesses all year round".
Simon Fogal, Founder of Leeds Indie Food has commented on the launch:“What can be said about the last couple of years that hasn’t already been said? Like all hospitality businesses we pivoted constantly as we went from our annual festival in May to signposting people to indies, creating supportive merch, hampers, magazines and more.
"We listened to businesses and helped initiate Chow Down at Temple Arches. The time has come to start back, telling our story and raising the profile of some of the smaller indies as well as the bigger boys, really trying to put Leeds on this map.
"The mini-festival is here but we are planning so much more, we have set ourselves some big goals and are planning a lot of initiatives too. We want to celebrate indie culture too, having a thriving indie food scene helps a city tell a story, so we want to strengthen this part. To get involved (everyone is welcome) just contact us via our website.”
Image: Chapter 81
Tickets for Leeds Indie Food 2022 are on sale now on the newly launched website. For more information, including to book your seat at the table, visit the LIF website.
Feature Image- Chapter 81
News
Female-founded independent jewellery brand to open in Leeds’ Victoria Gate
Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.
Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.
Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.
Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.
Image: Supplied
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “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.”
Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “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."
We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.
Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries
Clementine Hall
Well...this is a new one.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Sophie Smith -
12th May 2022 
