Meet the brand championing Leeds independents with hot sauce collabs.
If there's one thing we love more than witnessing Leeds independent stores thrive, it's when they help each other to get there.
This year, we've seen collaborations of all kinds as brands get together to boost each others following with tasty treats- some bizarre, but on the whole, some of the most delicious dishes this year have come from this type of comradery.
Thiccc Sauce is just one example of this, having spent 2021 collaborating with the likes of much-loved Headingley cafe, Fika North and city centre charcuterie hotspot, Friends of Ham to create irresistible sauces that sum up each brand's specialism in a single drop of sauce.
If you're like us and relish in an opportunity to support your local and champion the independents we have around us, chances are that you've already had a taste of a Thiccc Sauce collaboration without even realising.
From Neon Cactus, Little Bao Boy and the Savvy Baker to Honest Burgers, Mozzafella and more, Thiccc Sauce really have covered all the greats- and they've only been open just over a year.
Our recent introduction to Thiccc Sauce, entitled 'The Thiccc Sauce championing the indie food scene in Leeds', got us thinking about our favourite collabs this year, and although it was a difficult choice to make, here are some of our favourites from this year:
Thiccc Sauce X Friends of Ham is known as the 'Vote For Pedro' sauce. A decedent dark sauce crammed with sugared plums, Pedro Ximenez sherry, black garlic, smoked chipotle, red jalapeño, Bermondsey Sobrassada Oil, Spanish red grape, Vermont maple syrup, Sherry balsamic vinegar, locally smoked garlic, onion, vine tomato and spices with medium to high heat.
Fika North- Lagöm
Thiccc Sauce X Fika North is all about championing local and international flavours with their Lagöm Lingonberry Hot Sauce. Lagöm meaning “just the right amount, in balance” in Swedish, is a collaboration with local legends Fika North containing freshly squeezed Lingonberries, Lingonberry Jam, habanero chilli, bell red pepper, tomato, red wine vinegar, maple syrup and spices.
North Brew Co- Rye Candy
The Thicc Sauce chefs used their previous maple bourbon bbq sauce recipe with molasses, black treacle, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper then upped the maple content & added a copious amounts of Rye Bourbon & Strong Stout to create Rye Candy, a complex sweet boozy bbq sauce perfect on a dirty burger or some bbq meat.
Third Eye Signs- Seoul Food
Chances are you favourite indies have had their branding designed by Third Eye, making this collaboration, an exciting combination of flavours from no particular eatery. The Seoul Food is made from gochujang paste, soy paste, rice vinegar, scotch bonnets, red jalapeño, ketchup, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, onion, soy sauce, maple syrup, sugar, ginger, spices and honey- and sound delicious.
Dukes Halifax- Dystopia
This collab was between Dukes bar in Halifax and Yorkshire designer Drew Millward. Described as a gentle spice of green jalapeño mashed with a whirlwind of herbs spices and fruit, this hot sauces comes flavoured with pineapple, tomatillo, jalapeño, mint, coriander, lime and agave- what's not to love about that combination?
At present, the Leeds-based sauce company have a few collaboration favourites left before they pack up and enjoy their Christmas sauce-order-free, but as the demand for the sauces is so high: you'll have to head to their website to see what's available at present.
Bottle Chop in Headingley is a stockist of the local collaborations and original sauces and limited edition drops are announced sporadically on Instagram- so keep an eye out for any and all updated from Thiccc Sauce, you don't want to miss out.
Feature Image- Big Guys Thiccc Sauce
News
10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026
Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Salon Madre and Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.
Trinity Kitchen 2.0
Image: Supplied
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Burgerism
Meanwood
Image: The Manc Eats
You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.
Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Dough Club
Burley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.
Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.
MADE Matcha
Lower Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Lane 7
Albion Street
Image: The Hoot leeds
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
News
Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer
Clementine Hall
Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.
And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.
The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
The festival’s first performer has been announced as Strictly Come Dancing Icon & RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, who will be taking to the main stage.
Image: Supplied
And it doesn't stop there, Leeds Pride will feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.
Images: Supplied
“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.
“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."
More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.
Sophie Smith -
29th December 2021 
