Manjit Kaur of Manjit's Kitchen was named for making "a mark on the city’s Punjabi food scene" and supporting women into the workplace.
CODE's 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality 2022 has brought together a list of 100 inspiring women from across the UK, from national lobbyists and chairwomen to behind-the-scenes talent changing the face of their community, this is a seriously coveted list to have be included in.
The judges panel, made up of food, diversity and identity writer Melissa Thompson; Evening Standard's chief restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa; co-founder of Hawksmoor, Will Beckett; previous panelist Claire Koffman and Good Food Guide contributor since the 90s, Elizabeth Carter, chose a range of hospitality representatives, one of which was right here in Leeds.
Chef and owner of Manjit's Kitchen, Manjit Kaur has been named in CODE Hospitality's top 100 women in hospitality, particularly noting Manjit's support in her local community and helping to give other women a leg up and into work themselves.
Image: Manjit's Kitchen
What the judges had to say about Manjit: "As chef owner of Manjit’s Kitchen in Leeds, Kaur has made a mark on the city’s Punjabi food scene. She is also a support for women in her community – one that often expects women to stay at home – enter work."
Owner of two restaurants in Leeds Market and Kirkstall, Manjit's Kitchen is described in CODE's interview as "Openhearted, resilient and rooted in the community".
If you've had the opportunity to taste test some of Manjit's dishes, you'll know exactly why it's far more than her personality that's made this happen.
Image: Manjit's Kitchen
The menu at Manjit's Kitchen is considered in options and rich in flavour. There's Mango Lassi to soothe the lunchtime crowd and inventive options like pakora and chilli paneer wraps amongst classic favourites like onion bhajis, Thali bowls and Vada Pau, The Mumbai Sandwich.
Think Spiced mashed potato ball in a gram flour batter, green chutney, tamarind, dry garlic chutney on a beetroot bun, as just one example of the fusions of flavour the kitchen offers busy city commuters or those looking for a hot midday treat from the markets.
Pakora wrap. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is meat-free and with the exception of husband Michael, an entirely female team. In an interview with CODE about celebrating ten years in business and pandemic-related worries, Manjit explained that this was no accident.
"My staff have husbands that don’t allow them to go to work – their main role is to stay at home, look after the kids and cook. So it’s nice to bring these ladies out and their husbands feel safe knowing they’re working for me, an Asian lady.
Inside the Kirkstall restaurant. / Image: Manjit's Kitchen
"Some of them didn’t have the confidence to speak English and now they’re running the place. It’s beautiful to see and it makes me so proud."
It's easy to see from this that here in Leeds we're fortunate enough to have far more than some incredible culinary skills, we have kind-hearted chefs aplenty, and Manjit is just one example of the difference fantastic women are making in hospitality.
Congratulations Manjit.
Feature Image- Manjit's Kitchen
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.”
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 -
15th July 2022 
