There's a lovely cafe in Roundhay that's run almost entirely by adults living with disabilities like Down's syndrome, autism and loss of hearing.
Called Cafe Leep, it's an extension of Leep 1 - a self-advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities that launched about ten years ago.
The cafe itself opened in 2015 and was very busy pre-covid. Ingredients are sourced locally where possible, and there's a daily specials menu that uses up donated supermarket food from FareShare that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Here people can learn the skills they need to progress into the world of paid work, like preparing and cooking food, food safety hygiene, applying for jobs, interview techniques and professional etiquette.
The cafe serves a full breakfast and lunch menu, with morning favourites like the full English, bacon sandwich and toasted teacakes all good and present as you'd expect.
There's a good selection of veggie options on offer, with daily specials, omelettes, baked potatoes, cold and warm sandwiches, toasties, burgers and salads all making appearance at lunch.
And of course there's a good supply of coffee, tea and cake to get stuck into all day long.
Staff range from 19 to 62, and all undertake a level 1 or 2 NVQ programme in food safety whilst training at Cafe Leep. Four or five also go for professional barista training at Caffe Society in Sherburn In Elmet.
When it initially opened, the plan was to just sell coffee and cake but after manager Angie Marshall came on board with significant catering expertise she decided to introduce a bigger menu.
Now as well as serving customers in the day, Cafe Leep also runs several cooking classes a week and provides catering for functions and events. There's also the hope of expanding into the city centre and opening a second site, Cafe Leep 2.
The cafe is currently running a fundraiser to replace their coffee machine after the old one broke during lockdown. The new machine is crucial to helping with staff's coffee training.
It states: "Café Leep wants to change people’s perceptions of adults with learning disabilities and see their abilities and Not disabilities by helping our trainees gain qualifications and employment."
So far, they've raised £4,635 of the £5,000 target, If you'd like to donate to Cafe Leep’s GoFundMe campaign, visit the GoFundMe website.
Eats
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Georgina Pellant -
10th June 2021 
