With Halloween on the horizon, Britain is looking at a pumpkin shortage due to a poor harvest impacted by the weather.
There's something about carving a pumpkin, popping a tea light in it and placing it proudly on your doorstep that really gets you in the spooky spirit.
Whether it's a toothy, triangle-eyed terror that you're hacking away at with a blunt knife or a detailed witch on a broom which you've carefully stencilled out, it's truly a right of passage when it gets to Halloween.
However, pumpkin lovers may be in for a serious scare as farmers across the UK fear there might be a pumpkin shortage in time for the autumn festivities.
Image: Unsplash
Bad weather has said to have ruined a whopping one third of the pumpkin harvest in Britain this year.
According to the experts, the hot weather has caused the orange fruit to ripen a lot earlier than usual, which has had a huge impact on it's quality.
Subsequently, the shortage may lead to higher prices on this year's harvest for those who want to get creative with a Jack-o-lantern.
Guy French, a pumpkin farmer in Basildon, told The Mirror, “We are selling at a higher price, but the main factor for that is our input costs. We always say to customers, if you think the price of filling up your car with diesel has doubled, think of what it does for a tractor."
“The quality of the pumpkin is good - the skin finish is good, they’re a really good orange. But the drought had a knock-on impact on yield. You just haven’t got the volume there."
It is said that a lot of farms have already sold out their crops due to a large number of pre-orders, possibly due to manufacturers pre-empting this shortage.
So keep your eye out for pumpkins early this year and if you can't find one, then you may have to settle for another spherical shaped fruit. Perhaps a watermelon might do the job?
Silver's Deli is opening up a sister shop, and this time it's about everything baked.
We all know and love Silver's Deli for their stacked subs and breakfast sandwiches that could cure any hangover no matter how severe.
They're so good, that they even bagged the coveted Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Award last year.
And rightly so, because everything Silver's do is absolutely class.
The progress so far. Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it seems there's just no stopping Silver's, as last month they announced that they'll be opening a sister shop named 'Silver's Bakehouse' serving up everything, yep you guessed it, baked.
What exactly has not yet been revealed, with owner Chris keeping details tightly under wraps.
But what we do know is that every single thing will be made fresh, with love, in-house, at their new brand spanking new location in Farsley.
They've been keeping adoring fans updated on their socials with renovation updates, and it's already looking absolutely top tier.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Silver's Deli said: "Well it’s happening. I said no more shops, but it’s kinda necessary, and I just love all things baked.
"There’s waaaaaaaaay too many details to share on this right now, but go give our sister shop @silvers_bakehouse a new follow and hold on tight. This is gonna be fun as fuck."
We're in no doubt that this venture is going to be absolutely brilliant, and you best believe we'll be first in line to try one of those brownies.
Silver's Bakehouse will be located on Town Street in Farsley and is opening next Friday 22 May - just in time for the late May bank holiday weekend. We'll see you there.
Read more: A Caribbean street food restaurant famed for its jerk chicken is opening in Leeds this week
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Leeds speakeasy crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world by industry experts
Clementine Hall
The beloved Domino Club is receiving its flowers, and rightly so.
Rapidly becoming one of the industry’s most respected accolade of excellence, The Pinnacle Guide is a worldwide ranking of the best bars across the globe.
Based on a thorough self-application process, rigorous assessment modules, followed by a series of spot check interviews and anonymous in-bar reviews, it's no easy feat to get a spot on this list.
Which is why it makes The Domino Club's achievement all that more impressive.
Known amongst locals and visitors alike as basically one of the coolest bars in town, the hidden speakeasy invites you through a barbershop in the Grand Arcade where downstairs you'll find a dimly lit jazz and cocktail bar oozing sex appeal.
Not only are the cocktails exceptional, but their live music listings is something to behold playing everything from jazz and funk to cabaret and disco every Wednesday - Sunday.
Announcing the news to Instagram, The Domino said: "Listed by The Pinnacle Guide. The Domino Club has been recognised on the global list of the world’s best bars.
"What began as a hidden basement bar in Leeds, built around live music, cocktails and atmosphere, is now being recognised alongside some of the finest bars in the world.
"A huge thank you to our team, musicians, suppliers and every single guest who has supported us over the years. This means a lot. Leeds belongs on the world cocktail map."
We absolutely could not agree more and if you haven't ventured behind the barbershop and discovered the magical Domino Club, then we very much recommend you do.
Clementine Hall -
1st September 2022 
