Warburtons has unleashed its latest bakery innovation to the world, and a lot of people aren't convinced.
We all know that the crumpet is a truly iconic British snack, right? And Warburton's best-selling version of the crumpet is one of the most beloved there is – with a whopping 155 million baked and distributed across the UK each year.
But now, alongside the original crumpets and the Giant Crumpets launched back in 2015, Warburtons has decided to “expand and diversify” its crumpet offering even further with the new Crumpet Thins.
Crumpet Thins are, according to Warburtons, produced with the same high-quality ingredients as the original crumpets, so you still get that “delicious taste in every bite”, but with only 61 calories in each, they are said to perfect for those wanting “a lighter breakfast or snack option”.
🎉 BAKING NEWS 🎉 We’ve been working on a little somethin’ new for the breakfast table. Introducing…Crumpet Thins 🤩🧡 pic.twitter.com/nPWDbtT43f
Warburtons’ Chairman, Jonathan Warburton, says the company decided to create the new Crumpet Thins are they “found a need for lighter options which still delivered on great taste”.
“Consumers are always looking for new ways to enjoy our products,” he explained.
“Our existing Thins and Thin Bagel ranges have been booming since their launch… and we know crumpets are the top snack for many people across the UK, whether that’s for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up, so it was a no brainer for us to have some fun with our signature recipe and bring the nation Crumpet Thins.”
The new crumpet invention is now in store at Morrisons, and is soon to arrive on the shelves at other supermarket chains across the UK – including Tesco, Asda, Co-op, and Iceland – on different dates throughout this month.
The company says it hopes people are as excited for what it’s calling a “modern take on a British cult classic” as it is.
But it seems not everyone is convinced.
A post about the new Crumpet Thins shared on Instagram by the massively-popular food blogger and reviewer, New Foods UK, a couple of days ago has now amassed over 4,000 likes and hundreds of comments from foodie fans sharing their mixed reactions to the new creation – with some going as far as to calling them a “game-changer”, while others branded them “criminal”.
“Why would you make a delicious crumpet thin? If there’s a crumpet to be had, I want MORE CRUMPET,” one passionate crumpet fan commented.
“I can’t think of any reason why I would want to eat a thinner crumpet,” another said.
A third questioned: “Why make them thinner? To save on ingredients but still charge the consumer the same or more? Crumpets are fine the way the are”, while a fourth added: “Why oh why? The whole point in a crumpet is that is thick and tasty.”
“Who’s asking for LESS crumpet? That’s criminal,” one fan comically questioned, while another claimed: “No one asked for thinner crumpets.”
Many on social media also pointed to the fact that the new Crumpet Thins resemble pikelets – which are regionally-known thinner and more pancake-like griddle breads.
“Are these not just pikelets rebranded?,” one person questioned.
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
Clementine Hall
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
Emily Sergeant -
11th April 2023 
