The dream job absolutely does exist… and this is it.
Calling all spud enthusiasts and self-confessed crisp connoisseurs, this one’s for you.
Aldi is looking for a special someone to become its official crisp taster, and will send the lucky winner a bunch of bags to try for free.
In what is a brand-new role for the company, the one lucky person chosen for the role will get sent a selection of Aldi’s most popular crisps to sample at home, and all without having to part with a single penny for them.
Aldi’s Specially Selected Mature Cheddar & Red Onion Hand Cooked, the Snackrite Perfections Thai Sweet Chilli, and Saucy Nibbley Nobblies are just a handful of the potato snacks they’ll be sent.
Image: Aldi UK
Not only that, but the new ‘Crisp Taster’ will also get an exclusive first try of products that are yet to hit Aldi’s shelves.
Then, once the lucky recruit has taste-tested each of the crisps sent out to them, all they’ll have to do in return is review each product and rating the crisps on their taste, crunch, texture, and appearance to help guide the supermarket’s Buying Team on potential future flavours.
“What our shoppers think is so important to us,” explained Julie Ashfield, who is the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, as the role of a lifetime opened its applications this week.
Image: Unsplash
“It’s crucial we listen to their honest feedback, so we can ensure our products continue to deliver on taste, while also offering unbeatable value. Sales of snacks such as crisps and nuts skyrocketed by 40% during the World Cup in 2022, so we expect our crisps to be in high demand this summer with Euros 2024.
“What better timing to find out what our most passionate snack fans have to say?”
Fancy it then? To apply, you’ll just need to be aged 16 or over, a legal UK resident, and create a short application video, that’s no more than a minute long, explaining why you should be Aldi’s first ever ‘Crisp Taster’.
Applications are now open, with a closing deadline of 16 June.
You’ll need to share your application video via the email address aldicrisptaster@clarioncomms.co.uk, and you can find out more information on the official ‘Crisp Taster’ webpage here.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th June 2024 
