A new Leeds TV-style show focused on local foodies launches today.
Brought to the city by Chapter 81 and Welcome to Leeds, It's being created as a part of Leeds' Digital Food Week - running from Monday 10th May-Sunday 16th May.
With the Prime Minister expected to confirm the new easing of restrictions for Step 3 of the roadmap in a press conference this evening, the timing couldn't be better for the platform launch - which will be putting the focus firmly on some of Leeds' hospitality greats.
Chef and owner of Holy Mountain Kitchen Harry Johns is set to make an appearance as a channel host, chatting to local street food traders and heading out into the suburbs to highlight some of the best finds outside of the city centre.
Meanwhile, local broadcast journalist Beth Parson will head out into town - learning to cook with some of Leeds’ best chefs as she visits the likes of Sarto, Rola Wala, Ox Club, Manjit’s Kitchen and Harvey Nichols.
Digital Food Week
A range of other events will be taking place throughout the week, including lunchtime chats chats ranging from Leeds’ incredible coffee, beer and cocktail culture to the subject of mental health and the recovery of the sector as a whole.
Some of Leeds’ best-known breweries will be taking part, with Northern Monk, North Brew Co and Anthology set to host guided tasting sessions.
There will also be some fun show-and-tells from city favourites Doh Hut, Big Guys Thicc Sauce, Laynes Espresso, Swine That Dines and Spice and Green.
Journalists Johnny I’Anso and Larry Budd are also involved in the project. They'll be telling stories from the Leeds’ food and drink scene to get people excited about going out again, leading up to the planned reopening of indoor hospitality on 17th May.
Each show will end with some of Leeds’ newest musical talent recommended by Music: Leeds.
Speaking about Digital Food Week, founder of Chapter 81, Simon Fogal, said:
“There are so many businesses large and small out there that have taken a huge hit over the past year and we want to shine a light on them and get the people of Leeds excited about going out in the city and helping to kick start their local economy once more.
"We’ll be looking at all elements of the hospitality sector - food and drink, but also advice for anyone wanting to start a hospitality business. With so many businesses taking part in various different ways, the week is set to be one of the biggest collaboration festivals ever.”
Further guests confirmed to appear include chefs Liz Cottam, Rob Hallas and Ben Davy, indie favourites Leeds Beer Tours and Domino Club, the Nationwide Caterers Association, Andrew Cooper (Chief Executive at LeedsBID), Becci Erbillur-Gray (City Centre Project Manager at Leeds City Council), and Escapism Bar Group founder Phil Harrison.
Where to Watch?
People wishing to get involved can register their interest on the website and book a slot.
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Georgina Pellant -
10th May 2021 
