Can you impress Dame Mary Berry and the Queen with your showstopper?
Buckingham Palace announced plans to mark the Queen's Jubilee with 10 days of huge celebrations between January and July this morning, with one very special competition starting today.
The Platinum Pudding is a nationwide competition dedicated to finding a brand new pudding, dedicated to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
As of today, the Platinum Pudding Competition will begin its search for a winner. Entries will be judged by the likes of culinary legend and national treasure, Dame Mary Berry and it is thought that the winning pudding will be served up as part of the Jubilee celebrations, including inside Buckingham Palace.
The search for a Platinum Pudding has begun. / Image: Michael Garnett (Flickr)
Upon releasing the news of the search, the Royal's website launched a press release stating the terms of the competition:
"The Big Jubilee Lunch and Fortnum & Mason are inviting applications from UK residents aged 8 and over to create the perfect Platinum Pudding recipe.
"Five finalists will prepare their pudding for an expert judging panel including Dame Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and Buckingham Palace Head Chef Mark Flanagan. The winning recipe will be made available to the public and the pudding will be enjoyed at Big Jubilee Lunches during the Jubilee weekend, and by generations to come".
Dame Mary Berry will judge and find a Platinum Pudding worthy for the Queen. / Image: Eden Project Communities
The competition will follow in the footsteps of the British staple of coronation chicken, a dish created by Le Cordon Bleu to celebrate the Queen's coronation banquet in 1953.
Eden Project Communities also spoke out about the jubilee celebration, stating the lunch amongst other celebrations is just what the UK needs.
Britain is celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a Bake Off style challenge to find the perfect pudding. / Image: British Bake Off
"Nine million people came together last year for physically distanced events in their gardens, local parks, on their streets and even at events held online to bring people together, and 77% of attendees said it was just what was needed after more than a year of Covid".
For more information on how you could create the next national dish, find more information on the Eden Project Communities website.
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Leeds has been crowned the best city in the UK for foodies outside of London
Clementine Hall
It's fantastic news for our city as Leeds has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK for foodies.
It's news that we've been pretty certain of for some time, but it's still nice to be recognised isn't it?
It comes from a new study carried out by credit card brand Aqua who analysed 30 major UK cities across a range of dining and social media metrics, including cuisine variety, restaurant availability, meal affordability, Michelin recognition and TikTok hashtag volumes.
Coming in at number on was, of course, London.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
With 47 cuisines, 22.5 restaurants per 10,000 residents and 81 Michelin-starred establishments, the capital unsurprisingly continues to dominate the UK’s culinary scene.
But in at number two was our glorious city of Leeds, supported by the highest restaurant density in the study, with 38.5 establishments per 10,000 people, and strong affordability compared with cities in the south.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We will absolutely take that.
Other northern spots to feature on the list include Sheffield and Bradford in sixth and eighth place.
The top ten UK cities for foodies are:
London
Leeds
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Wolverhampton / Leicester
Sheffield
Birmingham / Glasgow
Bradford / Swansea
Preston
Milton Keynes
Here in Leeds we've got so many fabulous food spots, with new openings cropping up every month it's hard to keep track.
From the multi award-winning Bavette Bistro in Horsforth to the highly acclaimed indie Bundobust that started off in Leeds - you certainly won't find yourself hungry or at a loss for somewhere to eat here.
Sophie Smith -
10th January 2022 
