Share the love this February and support your locals in the process.
There's plenty to love about Valentine's Day: regardless of your relationship status. Whether you're celebrating with friends, partners or showing yourself some love this month, you can bet there's plenty of food-based gifts that are perfect for the occassion.
This year, replace the age old box of chocolates with a unique Valentine's Day gift that supports local businesses too. This way, you're sharing the love with small businesses too.
The Savvy Baker- Valentines Brownie
Image: The Savvy Baker
The Valentines Brownie from the Savvy Baker is essentially a giant slab of chocolatey goodness, but all four come with a heartfelt message, including hilarious quotes like ‘cute butt’ and ‘I heart your d*ck’, and the wholesome ‘my fave human’ and ‘happy bestie day’.
Each brownie is priced at £15, a bargain given you can usually get four brownies from £11.00.
What's more romantic than sharing a dessert together? Not a sharer- jus neither. Luckily with this Valentine's Day selection from Oh So Bakes, there's a date night box that offers lots of individual sweet treats. Each delicious box includes 15 Triple Chocolate Brownie Pieces, 15 Kinder Cookie Pieces, white hazelnut dipping sauce, nutella dipping sauce, cookies and cream dipping box, as well as strawberries, Ferrero Rocher, foiled heart chocolates and marshmallows.
Each box costs £25, a 50% deposit must be given to sure the booking.
Packed full of delicious treats, this date night essential is probably one of the sweetest hampers we've seen and it's perfect for a night in on Valentines. Each set comes with half a bottle of wine or Prosecco per person, homemade fresh focaccia bread, olive oil, olives, a selection of meat & cheeses & antipasti, a large bag of crisps, a sweet treat platter and chocolate covered strawberries.
The Date Night hamper costs £50 and should be booked 24 hours hours in advance of collection.
The Gift Box Leeds- Valentine's Collection Cookies
Image: The Gift Box Leeds
If you want to say something heartfelt but don't quite have the words: you can find them pre-written on a giant cookie. These are seriously some of the most beautiful cookies we've ever seen and they come as a pair in a cute Valentine's Day box: all for a tenner too. You can collect from store from Friday 11th February or order online for national delivery.
Each box comes as a set of two cookies and are priced at £10 each.
As well as a selection of regular and gluten free Valentine's Day themed cupcakes, the chef behind Baking Creations is whipping up batches of giant heart brownie and blondie dessert topped with buttercream and a sweet 'Happy Valentine's Day' message on top. Priced at a tenner, this ones a sweet reminder to your loved one that comes without the pricetag.
All orders are available for collection on Sunday 13 February and cost £10 each.
If you're looking for some seriously beautiful gifts for Galentines or Valentines, the talented baker behind Amber's Baked Goods will have you covered. Expect gift boxes filled high the decadently-decorated cupcakes, dipping boxes with Love Heart sweets, homemade brownies and blondies, as well as a choice of Kinder, Bueno, Nutella or caramel dipping sauces.
Each box contains 12 sticks of blondies and brownies and 2 dips and will cost £16 each.
The sweet treats at Cinnammmm come with a date night activity: the DYO (that's decorate your own) boxes are perfect if you're looking for something to do this Valentine's Day- and it leaves you with a tasty dessert for afterwards too. If you'd rather receive a pre-made box, there's Plus Berry Kisses flavours available, as well as a range of heart-shaped cinnammmm's too.
Boxes cost depend on the variation chosen. Make sure to order online before postage on Wednesday 9 February for UK and Friday 11 February for local delivery.
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Beloved Leeds coffee brand announce opening date for ANOTHER city centre site
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Sophie Smith -
3rd February 2022 
