Legendary biscuit makers, McVitie's, have launched the first non-fruity flavour of Jaffa Cakes in the story which answers the question, what do you get when you cross an old school cola bottle sweet with the classic jaffa?
That's not the start of a joke, by the way... you literally just get cola bottle-flavoured Jaffa Cakes, and as bizarre (brilliant) as that creation may sound to you, McVitie's has actually made it a reality, with the new hybrid sweet treat now available on supermarket shelves across the UK.
We've had cherry-flavoured jaffa cakes, lemon and lime-flavoured ones; raspberry, blackcurrant, and even passionfruit-flavoured, as well as a number of different chocolate variations including the limited-edition White Chocolate Jaffa Cakes.
There was even a jaffa cake-doughnut crossover amusingly named, 'Jonuts', but now the popular snack brand has decided to venture away from what they know and landed on cola-flavoured Jaffa Cakes.
McVitite's officially released new cola bottle-flavour Jaffa Cakes (Credit: vallgall via Flickr/ZapSweets)
Safe to say this one has split opinion...
As reported by The Manc, Cola Bottle Jaffa Cakes are now available in both biscuit (or cake) and cake bar format, and they've already been spotted on the shelves at Asda.
McVitie's parent company, Pladis, said it decided on the new flavour as its next creation because there's a "huge appetite" among the next generation of snacking shoppers for "something genuinely new and different". Cola flavour has been around for yonks but never mind, we'll let them off.
Adam Woolf, Marketing Director for McVitie’s at Pladis UK&I, added: "As the original cake in the biscuit aisle, we know a thing or two about doing something different, so as well as catering to shopper demand, our latest launch is the perfect embodiment of the playful and out-of-the-ordinary essence that's Jaffa Cakes' heartland."
The new snack food creation has hit supermarket shelves across the UK (Credit: McVitie's & Pladis UK & IRE)
He said the new special creation is inspired by the "enduring popularity" of both jaffa cakes and cola bottle sweets and has been made for those who've "got the bottle to branch out" and give "bold new flavour combinations a try".
Not being funny but cola bottles are just as much a classic as Jaffa Cakes in our books, but we're still intending to buy up every box we see - though not everyone is in agreement.
The OG jaffa cakes are said to be a store-cupboard essential for more than seven million households nationwide, but if the immediate fan reactions are anything to go by, it's not looking like the new Cola Bottle Jaffa Cakes will be quite the same.
Posts on social media by several new snack food sharing and reviewing accounts - including a popular one by @another_snack_reviewer - have proved that fans are divided.
Some of the comments read: "I’ve been calling out for this flavour for years" and "Bit weird, but I feel like they need to be tried", right through to the total opposite of: "No, no, no. Just no. My beautiful Jaffa cakes cannot be ruined with this atrocity.'
Even a quick ask around The Manc Group offices produced a mixed response - with comments ranging from: "I'm on board", to "That sounds vile" and "Mixing cola and sponge just doesn’t sit right with me."
So, what's your take then?
Also, please can we bring back to 'Jaffanut'? They were next level.
A new Souvlaki Corner is set to open in south Leeds.
If you're a Leeds local who loves food, then you'll have most likely heard and dined at Souvlaki Corner.
It's an absolute gem of a restaurant and takeaway, situated in Wortley selling fabulous authentic Greek food at a great price.
And now they're opening a new site in the nearby town of Morley which is going to be even bigger and better. Get in.
The new site will feature a bigger space with more seating, offering both dine-in and takeaway options, as well as a brand-new bar.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now you're talking our language.
Souvlaki Corner told The Hoot: "We’re excited to confirm that Souvlaki Corner will be opening a new site in Morley, Leeds. Our targeted opening is in around four weeks, although we don’t have an exact opening date yet and will confirm this closer to the launch.
"One of the highlights of the new restaurant will be a traditional Greek spit where we will cook whole lamb in the proper Greek way. It will be cooked over charcoal to give the authentic Greek flavour that people would experience in Greece.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Our chefs are Greek, bringing authentic knowledge and experience from Greece. The interior design will also reflect the style of the Greek islands, so when people visit they will feel like they are stepping into a little part of Greece."
They continued: "Souvlaki Corner was created to bring authentic Greek street food to Leeds, focusing on freshly grilled souvlaki, gyros, and traditional flavours served quickly and affordably. Since launching our first location, the response from customers has been fantastic, and Morley felt like the natural next step as we continue to grow."
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
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.
Danny Jones -
14th June 2024 
