Whenever we ask where the people of Leeds are heading on their lunch break - you can bet that Kirkgate Market is a strong contender.
With almost 200 different stalls and a huge array of street food vendors on offer here, it's far more than a piece of Leeds heritage, but a welcoming place for the whole city to call home whenever they need.
Fat Annie's has been part of the furniture at Kirkgate Market since 2016, slinging out hot dogs and burgers, as well as an ever-evolving menu full of shakes, loaded fries, meal deals and monthly specials.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The company originally sold meat but as owner James started to learn more about the industry 'the less he liked' and eventually took the plunge to go meat free and completely vegan in 2022.
Despite the change, Fat Annie's remains one of the most popular hot dog joints in the city with meat eaters and plant based foodies alike (and we can agree with the reviews that every meal is fresh and packed with flavour) - and has just hit its best year to date.
Now the opportunity for someone else to take over the reigns has arisen, as James plans to bow out for personal reasons.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the caption reads:
"Hi! It’s James the owner here, I’ve got some news that could potentially be an exciting opportunity for someone out there.
"After nearly 10 years running Fat Annie’s I’ve decided the time has come to step aside from the business, so I’m putting it up for sale. Getting married 2 years ago and balancing work in Leeds and family life in Manchester as well as having had a health scare earlier this year (which thankfully I’m now fully recovered from) I’ve decided I want to spend more time on the other side of the Pennines at home with my family in Manchester.
"Fat Annie’s is a thriving business, especially since our move to meat free nearly three years ago, recording our best ever year last year and this year on course for being even better. It would be great for some fresh energy and ideas to come into the business to take it to the next phase in its evolution.
"I’m selling the unit at Kirkgate Market with all equipment, website, branding, socials as well as the hot dog cart and a storage unit full of equipment ready for doing events, with some already booked in. With a great team, strong social media and an ever growing reputation amongst the vegan community im sure the future will be bright for Fat Annies in the right hands.
"If you or anyone you know is passionate about plant based food and would like to own this little slice of the street food history please get in touch on email at james@fatannies.co.uk.
"For now, nothing will be changing, I’ll still be around and out and about with the hot dog cart and we'll continue to offer some of the best plant based food around. As well as a busy summer at the market, events and weddings to cater for, plans for our autumn specials are already afoot and I’m committed to keep Fat Annie’s running and growing until the right person comes along to take it forward longer term. I’m in no rush to leave, in fact I know I’m going to be sad when the time does finally come to say bye, but for now I’ll keep on enjoying everyday with our great team and lovely customers.
"Thank you, as ever, to everyone that supports us, it really does mean so much to us as a small business. James x"
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!”
Sophie Smith -
4th August 2023 
