Eats

The Leeds restaurant sauce tipped to be the next Reggae Reggae

What began as a side hustle in 2018 quickly ramped up during lockdown, becoming a full-blown £100k business and selling over 10,000 bottles a month.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 14th June 2021

Kirstall road restaurant Viva Cuba is branching out nationwide - launching a range of sauces and other cooking ingredients with some big national supermarket chains.

It's already famous with locals for its Spanish-inspired Cuban tapas menu, now its sauces are taking on big name brands like Peri Peri and Reggae Reggae on supermarket shelves across the country.

Owner and head chef Seb McGowan has gone nationwide with his Mojo Red and Green sauces, which are made using a special, closely-guarded recipe belonging to his mother-in-law.

What began as a side hustle in 2018 quickly ramped up during lockdown, becoming a full-blown £100k business and selling over 10,000 bottles a month.

“While we’ve been forced to close the restaurant because of the pandemic, the positive has been that we’ve been able to drive the Mojo brand forward,” said Seb.

Already stocked at Morrisons and Ocado, they've now been picked up by Co-Op too - meaning next time you pop in for a shop you'll spy the familiar packaging sitting on the shelves.

On top of the sauces, the pair have developed a whole new range of mayos, sauces, rubs and complementary foods due to be released in coming months under the Mojo brand.

"The ultimate goal is to become the next big sauce success story, like Peri Peri or Reggae Reggae,” said James.

The Mojo Red and Mojo Green sauces have sat on restaurant tables for nearly 20 years - but now fans can pick them up in their local supermarket, too.

Mojo Red is a sweet and smoky sauce, whilst Mojo Green draws more on garlic and the flavours of fresh herbs.

The award-winning low sugar, low salt, low carb, low fat, vegetarian and vegan-friendly products have gained a cult following in the sauces and condiments aisle, offering a high quality, low-cost alternative to traditional sauces like ketchup and mayo.

Eats

Popular New York-style pizza pop-up confirms opening date for first takeaway in Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.

Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences 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 it seems.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June in a vacant railway arch at Fourth Court on Bridge Road in Leeds' Holbeck area.

It won't be your average pizza shop though, you'll have to preorder for now but trust us - it's worth it.

Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Edges said: "WE FINALLY HAVE an opening date, Thursday 18th June! All pizzas are pre-ordered like we have always done, and are slightly limited for now (still looking for helping hands!!!). The pre-orders will open the day before at 12pm via our Storekit link.

"We’ll be then opening Wednesday to Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 3-9pm. If there are still remaining slots left on the day, you can order up to an hour before the collection time. We have limited seating, for those who travel and would like to eat in. There is plenty of car parking space, to pick up your pizza, too.

"We can’t wait to see you all soon & more importantly, we can’t wait to start making some good food for you again."

We can't wait to get our hands on a coveted Edges pizza slice again, so you best believe we'll be there at the opening with bells on.

Read more: The family-run neighbourhood Leeds restaurant that’s about more than just pizza – it’s about community

Featured image - Edges Pizza

Eats

The 80-year-old Wakefield butchers that won Jane McDonald’s heart

Declan Kelly Declan Kelly

When Wakefield's queen of the cruise ships recommends a pork pie in Yorkshire, you listen.

TV presenter, singer and national treasure Jane McDonald has never hidden her love for her hometown. While her career has taken her around the world, from luxury ocean liners to sold-out theatre tours, Wakefield has always remained close to her heart. And among the many things she proudly champions from her hometown, one local institution receives more praise than most: Allums Butchers.

In fact, Jane has often joked that one of the reasons she still lives in Yorkshire is because of their famous pork pies. Most recently, Jane was once again singing their praises during her album launch at HMV when we interviewed her. She has also recently spoken fondly about the butcher's legendary pies on Alan Carr's podcast. 

Hearing her enthusiasm sparked our curiosity, so we decided to make the trip to Wakefield and discover for ourselves what makes these pork pies so special.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Located on Brook Street, Allums Butchers is more than just a place to pick up your Sunday roast. It's a business woven into the fabric of Wakefield's history, with a story stretching back more than 80 years.

The journey began in 1945 when Albert Allum started trading from Wakefield Market.

At a time when local communities depended on independent traders, Albert Allum built a reputation for quality produce, expert craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Those values helped establish a loyal customer base and laid the foundations for a business that would stand the test of time.

More than eight decades later, the same principles continue to guide the company.

Today, Allums remains proudly family-owned and is run by third-generation butcher Jonathan Allum. While much has changed since Albert's early days on the market stall, the commitment to quality remains exactly the same. The business has grown into one of Yorkshire's most respected independent butchers, yet it continues to place traditional butchery, carefully sourced produce and customer service at the heart of everything it does.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Speaking to us about his relationship with Jane McDonald, Jonathan shared memories that stretch back decades. The pair first met as teenagers when Jane would visit the market alongside her mother. Like many local families, they regularly stopped by the Allum stall and, more often than not, left with one of the butcher's famous pork pies.

Jonathan remembers chatting with Jane as she collected her order.

"I'd often say, 'See you next week,'" he recalled. "And every so often she'd reply, 'No, you won't - I’m off cruising.'"

Jane has gone on to become one of Britain's most recognisable entertainers, known by millions for her television programmes and her successful career at sea and most recently her iconic Mighty Hoopla performance . Yet despite the fame, she never forgot her Wakefield roots. To this day, she remains one of Allums' most loyal supporters and regularly speaks about the business with genuine affection.

Allums' pork pies have become something of a Yorkshire institution in their own right. Handmade using a traditional recipe that has been refined over generations, each pie is crafted using seasoned pork, rich savoury jelly and a perfectly baked hot-water crust pastry. There are no modern gimmicks,  just a commitment to making a classic product exceptionally well.

Naturally, we couldn't leave without trying the pork pies ourselves.

Sometimes the best food stories aren't about reinvention or chasing the latest trend. They're about preserving traditions, maintaining standards and doing one thing exceptionally well for generations.

More than 80 years after Albert Allum first opened for business in Wakefield Market, Allums Butchers continues to embody exactly that philosophy. And after finally experiencing their famous pork pies for ourselves, we can confidently say that Jane McDonald might just be right.

Read more: Why shoppers are flocking to this much-loved independent kitchen shop in the heart of Ilkley

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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