A new restaurant has opened in Leeds selling some seriously dirty burgers filled with the likes of Biscoff, bacon and cheese.
Called Coco's Kitchen, it's taken over the food offering at the Great Northern Hotel in Pudsey - and we'd say it's definitely worth the trek from the looks of the menu.
Founded by Cohen Panayiotis, a talented chef with a turbulent rise to success, his journey hasn't been easy up to this point - but it seems like things are now about to turn around.
Having started his cheffing journey just over three years ago, Cohen began working in a Soho hotel whilst homeless - living out of hostels and trying to save to progress in a new direction.
But at 32, he decided he couldn't hack that anymore and wanted to learn to cook so he wangled his way into a new role that both offered him accommodation and the chance to develop his cheffing skills.
The Great Northern Hotel in Pudsey. image: The Great Northern Hotel
"I ended up getting a job at a high end ski resort in France, I couldn't even whip cream at this point but the head chef took me under his wing," he tells us.
However, by the end of the season, he'd come on leaps and bounds: helping to create menus and sending his own creations out to customers after just a few months.
After the season was over, he started doing 5-course blind taster menus in Chesterfield and Doncaster where he was then approached by Studio Ramsey to take part in a TV show for entrepreneurs in the food and drink industry.
Unfortunately, though, halfway through filming the show got scrapped due to Covid - and at the same time, the kitchen he had taken over in York also closed for the same reason.
From there, he was on the verge of being kicked out of his house after his kitchen at the Printers Apprentice in York closed - claiming that the manager there ripped him off and put him in "loads of debt" - when he managed to land a job running a covid testing station.
From here, he "saved, saved, saved" and started doing chef pop-ups around Leeds. Now, he's finally back on his feet and is launching his new kitchen in Pudsey this weekend - serving up a mixture of dirty burgers and Caribbean classics done well, alongside some special Sunday roasts and afternoon teas.
On the menu, alongside the ultra-diirty Biscoff crunch bacon burger, which comes loaded with red Leicester, cheddar, crispy streaky bacon, smashed patties and more; you'll also find some classic Caribbean options like proper curried goat with tarragon carrots, shallots and rice and peas, and BBQ-smoked and 24-hour marinated jerk chicken legs.
Elsewhere, you'll find the veggie Triple Threat burger loaded with halloumi, grilled cheddar, pickled gherkins and red onion; the vegan, a chickpea and bean falafel burger with vegan cheese; and the brilliant-sounding Sebastian Sandwich made with tempura soft shell crab, kimchi, a house slaw and pink mayo.
Launching from today, Friday 3 September, you can find Coco's Kitchen at the Great Northern Hotel at 213 Richardshaw Ln, Stanningley, Pudsey LS28 6AA.
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Korn announce huge Leeds gig on first UK tour in a decade
Korn have announced a major Manchester gig as part of a new UK tour – their first in more than a decade.
The nu metal legends will be heading to the First Direct Bank Arena later this year, making a monumental return to British shores.
And they’ve announced very special guests will be joining them on the tour too – support will come from Architects, as well as Youth Code.
Korn burst onto the scene back in 1991 with their seminal self-titled debut album, and have gone on to release a whopping 14 studio albums.
The Californian group have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammy Awards, and headed out on countless world tours.
They’re often cited by newer bands as a major influence and have pushed the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres.
The Ringer has described Korn as ‘a genuine movement in a way bands cannot be now’.
As well as performing in Leeds, Korn will play at venues across the UK including in Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and London.
They’ll be joined by Architects, a British metalcore band who have continued to top the charts even after the tragic death of founding member, guitarist, and principal songwriter Tom Searle.
Korn will be at our very own First Direct Bank Arena on Monday 26 October, with pre-sale tickets available from Tuesday 17 March at 8am, before a general on-sale from Friday 20 March at 8am.
Run, don't walk - as we reckon these tickets will fly off the shelves.
A brand-new frozen yoghurt bar is set to open in Leeds this spring
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley very soon.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok girlies, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.m
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and although we don't have a confirmed opening date we've got a feeling they'll be 'scooping' very soon.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd September 2021 
