In their first official fundraising partnership, Rob and Doddie have launched 75 Gin from the Spirit of Harrogate.
The gin is named after both sporting numbers of the players: seven was Rob's number on the Headingley stadium pitch and Doddie played with the number five on his shirt.
All profits from the sale will go towards MND research, but Burrow and Weir are also keen to raise awareness and find ways to further MND research that leads to curing their condition.
The Sporting Wine Club have described the 75 Gin as a aromatic, citrusy and floral gin.
"A refreshing burst of zesty citrus makes way for delicate juniper undertones and a subtle floral finish. In terms of signature serve, we recommend pairing this with Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic and garnish with a lemon wheel."
Rob Burrow MBE commented, “This is a great new initiative and I’m delighted to be able to team up with my good friend Doddie. We never shared a pitch together sadly but he’s my team mate in the fight against MND. I think it would make a great Christmas gift and you will know you’re supporting a very worthy cause.”
Doodie Weir OBE commented, “I’m so delighted that Rob and I have been able to work together to produce this amazing gin. Like rugby, it’s all about commitment, dedication, focus and a great team pulling together towards one aim: a world without MND. I hope you enjoy our new 75 gin and toast a cure to MND.”
The Spirit of Harrogate has previously produced popular gins like Slingsby Gin, all in Rob's home county of Yorkshire.
The former Rhinos player shared his venture with Doddie Weir over the weekend and showing true team spirit even off the pitch, the likes of Paul Sculthorpe MBE and Barrie McDermott, amongst other players have been sharing support online.
The news of their partnership comes after former Rhinos player Kevin Sinfield completed a 101 mile run from Leicester to Leeds. The incredible run has raisedover £1.8 million for Leeds Hospitals Charity and the Motor Neurone Disease Association at present.
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."
Sophie Smith -
29th November 2021 
