To celebrate National Pizza Day, the launch of Rudy's third pizzeria opening in Leeds and just because we thought - who wouldn't want pizza for a year? - we've got one heck of a giveaway lined up for you.
The lucky winner will receive Famiglia Card - a special 'black card' that means you will have access to a whole lot of pizza throughout the year.
The Famiglia Card can be used twice a week for an entire year at any of Leeds three venues - so you can make your way around Leeds every week and have some of the best scran in town without forking out a penny.
How to enter this mammoth giveaway
It really couldn't be more straight forward.
To be in with a chance of winning a year's worth of Rudy's pizza, all you need to do is head to our Instagram, give us a follow (@thehootleeds) and Rudy's (@wearerudyspizza), and comment someone that you'd take for pizza, or that might want to enter too.
There's bonus points for sharing onto your story, and every comment will count as one entry- so make sure to tag as many friends as you can to increase your chances.
The giveaway winner will be announced by The Hoot Leeds and Rudy's ONLY. Please do not follow any other accounts claiming to be a part of this or respond to any messages apart from @thehootleeds and @wearerudypizza.
T&Cs apply - and can be found on the Rudy's website here.
Rudy's Pizzeria brings a slice of Italy to the north - and we love them for it
Born in 2015 in Ancoats, Manchester, the foodie favourite has since expanded across the north to bring Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese to Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and even the capital.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Having opened a second site last year in Chapel Allerton, Rudy’s is continuing to bring Leeds a true Italian feast, with fresh pizzas made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
As for drinks, you’ll find a classic Italian-dominated wine list, popular aperitivos like Aperol Spritz and Campari soda, and a selection of different beers and softs.
How does the Famiglia Card work?
Essentially, a black card is a sign of being a ‘top fan’ of a food or drinks vendor that gives you unlimited free food. Nandos ‘High Five’ black card, as seen from the likes of Stormzy and Ed Sheeran started the trend and the concept has since become a national phenomenon.
Now the concept of a special card has been around for a while now, but the Rudy's version is as rare as they come - so any recipient will be sure to treasure this.
The idea is that you simply walk into any of Leeds' Rudy's restaurants and show the staff your Famiglia Card and get your pizza on the house.
That's it - as simple as can be.
The Famiglia Card is a big deal in the pizza world. / Image: Rudy's
Where can I find my nearest Rudy's?
There's three in total in Leeds. One in the city centre, just moments from the train station on New Station Street - so it's perfect for meeting friends, a work lunch break or winding down from a long day before heading on your commute home.
The second is in Chapel Allerton. Having opened in the suburb last summer, the pizzeria took over the former Casa Mia site on Stainbeck Road and has been tempting locals and newcomers out of the city centre with light and crisp pizzas, unlike anything else you'll find in the local area.
The new site will see a new foodie hotspot appear on Otley Road in Headingley in March, and there will be ample opportunity to taste test the authentic Neapolitan classics once open.
Farmer Copleys, which is behind the popular Tulip Festival attraction, has spoken out after the tragic death of a dog who visited last weekend.
The family-run farm has decided to ban dogs (with the exception of service dogs) from its site, after a visitor reported that her beloved springer spaniel Bobby had died just hours after attending the Tulip Festival.
It's believed that Bobby had eaten a tulip bulb or flower, which can be deadly to dogs.
Farmer Copleys has now shared a statement about the incident, writing that the team are 'deeply saddened' by the animal's death.
They stressed that while the exact cause of his death remains unknown, they 'do not wish to take any further risks' and will no longer be permitting dogs at the Tulip Festival.
"The safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and their pets is something we take extremely seriously," Farmer Copleys wrote in a statement shared today.
Customers who are no longer able to attend since the change are welcome to get in touch with the farm directly to discuss a refund.
And assistance dogs are still welcome, but owners will need to sign a disclaimer before taking them into the Tulip Festival.
Farmer Copleys tulip festival is one of the most popular events in Yorkshire every springDogs will no longer be allowed at the Tulip Festival
Farmer Copleys wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the recent incident involving a visitor’s dog following a visit to our Tulip Festival, and our thoughts remain with the owner at this difficult time.
"We must stress while the exact cause of this incident remains unknown, many flowers and plants in outdoor environments can pose risks to dogs if ingested, particularly the bulb, and we do not wish to take any further risk.
"The safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and their pets is something we take extremely seriously. As a precautionary measure, we have made the difficult decision to no longer permit dogs at our Tulip Festival for the remainder of the season.
"In addition, this has further reinforced our decision to close the pick your own area for the remainder of the festival.
"We understand this may be disappointing for some visitors. Any customers who have booked and are now unable to attend due to this change are welcome to contact us regarding a refund at info@farmercopleys.co.uk.
"We are undertaking a full investigation and make a decision on 2027’s season in due course."
Posh bakery chain Gail’s is finally coming to Yorkshire
Daisy Jackson
Gail's has finally set its sights on Yorkshire for the first time, with a new bakery set to open this year.
It's one of the UK's most famous bakeries, launching in London in the early 1990s to supply restaurants, before opening its first retail site and cafe in Hampstead in 2005.
Gail's founders set out on a mission to bake bread as it used to be baked: by hand, using quality ingredients and time-worn artisanal methods.
While Gail's has expanded aggressively into the north, opening around a dozen bakeries in Greater Manchester and its surrounds, it hasn't made the journey across to Yorkshire just yet.
All that looks set to change, with job ads now listed for roles within a brand-new Yorkshire branch of Gail's.
Based on the job advert, Gail's is heading straight to the spa town of Harrogate - which is a fairly predictable move.
It looks like Gail's is heading for HarrogateGail's will make its Yorkshire debut
It had previously been reported that Gail's would be going to Knaresborough, but the job posting appears to hint that Harrogate will be the first Yorkshire location.
When it does open, you'll find loaf choices including classic white and brown sourdough, Gail’s ‘wasteless’ loaves (made using a specially-created recipe designed to incorporate unsold bread crumbs), alongside seeded varieties, baguettes and batons.
Must-tries include Gail’s famous cinnamon buns, still-warm cheese and ham croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and – given the weather we’re having this week – iced coffees, all day long preferably please.
But given the number of fantastic local bakeries all over Yorkshire, the question is, does anyone want Gail's?
The Hoot -
9th February 2023 
