As if winning 60 awards wasn't enough for the family-run bakery, the company can now say that they're officially listed with Harrods.
The luxury Knightsbridge department store recently added Yorkshire-based bakery, The Topping Pie Company to their list of stockists. In total it is thought that up to 25 handcrafted traditional and speciality pies will be added to the newly renovated delicatessen counter inside the Harrods food hall.
Out of these incredible products, a total of 11 are made with locally sourced ingredients, including British quality assured pork meat from Yorkshire.
Harrods Food Hall. / Image: Harrods
Some of the named stock at Harrods includes traditional pork pies in 120g, 200g and 450g sizes, as well as 120g 'dinky' pies and a whole range of specialty pork pies. This has previously included flavours like stilton, apple and pear, but as we enter the new year, flavours may change with the seasons.
The Topping Pie Company has been a butchers and bakers for over 50 years and stock everything from gala pie to quiches, gourmet sausage rolls and even tray pies and lasagnas:
"When Bill Topping opened his butcher’s shop in a little suburb of Doncaster, South Yorkshire in 1961 little did he know that it was the start of a multi award-winning company whose products would one day grace the deli counters at Selfridges, Harrods and Booths."
The business has remained in the family, swapping the Scawsby butchers shop was to the Doncaster Market Hall a decade after opening to meet customer demands and now the South Yorkshire company remains here today, as a family affair. Bill’s grandson Mark has now been managing the shop for more than 20 years and continuing the family tradition as an award-winning company.
Some of the bakery's other highlights include winning over 60 different awards, including the coveted and prestigious 3 star Gold Great Taste Awards and the Topping Pie Company has has its success honoured by a Princess Royal who visited and toured the bakery.
Image: The Topping Pie Company
Whilst Princesses and Harrods customers might love the pies in the capital, there's no need for us Yorkshire folk to go all the way to London to find out why these pies are so well loved.
The Topping Pie company deliver to Wakefield, Pontefract, Blythe, Epworth, Dore in Sheffield, Cudworth in Barnsley and Budworth, but as they're committed to ensuring that those who are "vulnerable and self-isolating can still enjoy a hearty dinner", they will deliver up to 30 miles around their Doncaster location. You can also grab one from Doncaster by hopping on the train, it's a short thirty minutes away.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
19th January 2022 
