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
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.
You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.
FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.
Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.
A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.
“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”
You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.
Sophie Smith -
12th May 2022 
