If you're tired of festive hot drinks this winter, this Yorkshire cafe's amazing invention will make you fall back in love with hot chocolates all over again.
Winter calls for hot chocolates warming the air between gloved hands as you make clouds as you exhale, walking along the high street, waiting for the snow to fall.
There really isn't a wintry experience like it. The hot chocolate has become a British classic, but this year it's had an incredible makeover courtesy of a brilliant little cafe that's just under an hour away from Leeds.
Pom's Kitchen in Sheffield has reimagined the classic hot chocolate, adding on a cookie dough top that holds a layer of marshmallow encasing a vanilla flavoured hot drink.
Even better, the cookie dough is made from vegan products - so no matter what your dietary preferences, you can warm up and take a guilt-free bite of this delicious treat.
For those looking for a snack and a hot drink in one, this is going to be your new favourite - we promise.
The combination of sweet flavours, both hot and cold, will get you through any cold day in Yorkshire. We're thinking of ordering some for a winter walk, or even just the train home from Sheffield (any and all excuses are welcome).
The hot chocolates were introduced at the cafe earlier this year, but Pom's Kitchen has released varying flavours based on the seasons. During the lead up to Halloween, the company provided customers with a cookie monster version, complete with blue cookie dough and googly eyes.
The hot chocolates are a staple on Pom's Kitchen menu, but the Australian-inspired cafe specialises in all things colourful and sweet.
Think rainbow bagels, neon hot dogs and freakshakes with just about anything your sweet tooth could desire on top.
If you're lucky, you'll catch the likes of maple spiced stroopwafel lattes, topped with a whole gooey caramel stroopwafel on the menu, but the everchanging eclectic combination of hot and cold drinks means that you'll always find something new at Pom's Kitchen.
To add to their plentiful menu, the cafe also sell stocking filler presents like candles and chocolate as well as full-sized hampers filled with cute, personal gifts for the people you love, all based around their favourite food, drink or colours.
For more information or to grab a cookie dough hot chocolate for yourself, visit Pom's Kitchen on Sharrowvale Road, Sheffield.
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.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
15th December 2021 
