The West Park Hotel's charity dinner has been one of the Yorkshire foodie scene's most anticipated events. The dinner featured Yorkshire's top chefs preparing courses of fine-dining cuisine for those lucky enough to grab a ticket to the event.
Raising a grand total of £9425 for national charity, Hospitality Action, the Harrogate hotel played host to the event that has supported hospitality workers suffering in the face of adversity.
Kicking off proceedings was Head Chef at two rosette Shibden Mill Inn, Will Webster, who began the evening by whetting guest’s appetites with his delicious starter made from pea, crab, buttermilk and apple marigold.
The main course came from Provenance Inn’s very own Group Executive Chef, Jason Wardill who served guests the mouthwatering options of Treacle Cured Fillet of Beef with Short Rib Croquettes or a delicious vegetarian option of Spiced Roast Cauliflower with a Chickpea Tagine.
This was then followed by a pre-dessert of Orchard Fruits and Yorkshire Honey from Steph Moon, a local produce hero that has many accolades to her name.
Rounding off the evening with a dessert from MasterChef finalist and award-winning Chef Patron of Vice and Virtue, Jono Hawthorne, with his signature dish from his time on Masterchef, Mushroom Tiramisu.
The night also supported the charity Hospitality Action with an auction. Prizes includes an overnight stay at The Carpenters Arms in Felixkirk, with a private tour of the Gardens at Mount St John where the hotel grows all of its own produce.
The evening was a fantastic success and a great way to celebrate the Provenance Inn group's achievements. Recently the group was awarded three additional rosettes across three sites, bringing the total to five rosettes across the group and the group have also just been announced as one of three finalists in the best food offering for the Publican 2022 awards.
Jason Wardill, of Provenance Inns and the vision behind the whole event reminds us that the event was essential to helping those who need it the most in a struggling industry: “There has never been a more important time to support such an amazing charity and we are over the moon to have raised £9425.
"The charity, who support those in the hospitality industry, have given £1.4 million to those in need in 2020 alone. We’d like to thank those that came and supported the event, and also to our fantastic Provenance partners who donated produce for the menu and experiences for the auction”.
From mental health problems to physical injuries, the charity Hospitality Action provides financial, physical, and psychological support to those in the hospitality sector, helping them get back to work as quickly as possible. All of the money raised will help the charity to help as many hospitality workers across the UK as possible.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
25th January 2022 
