Chocolate lovers, unite - because the first-ever festival dedicated entirely to chocolate is coming to Yorkshire next month.
Yes, we can't quite believe that there's never been one in Yorkshire before either - but there we have it. Good things clearly come to those who wait.
Bringing together over 50 different chocolatiers and other chocolate-flavoured makers for the day, the festival will be held inside Sheffield's Kelham Island Museum on Sunday, 24 October.
Here, you'll be able to get your hands on a whole load of chocolatey samples and goodies - such as chocolate-themed gifts, brownies, doughnuts, hot chocolate and chocolate-flavoured rum and beers to name just a few.
It's not all going to be edible, either. For those who want to save their waistline with some stalls, rest assured there will be some stalls selling other chocolate-themed products that won't ruin your diet.
The festival - which is technically the first to take place in South Yorkshire - is being put together by charity Roundabout; a youth homelessness organisation that supports young people aged 16 to 25 in Sheffield Rotherham and Doncaster.
Roundabout’s Event Fundraiser, Emily Bush told The Star: "We are super excited to launch Yorkshire’s first-ever chocolate festival."
“There is going to be something for everyone, from brownies and doughnuts to hot chocolate and rum.
“You’ll find numerous treats to indulge in and other non-edible chocolate-themed gifts that will save your waistline too.”
She also said they are still on the hunt for local traders to take part and bring their delicious, chocolatey goodness to the event to make it the very best Yorkshire chocolate festival it can be.
“It’s very important now, though, that we reach out to those businesses that are going to make this event truly tasty," she added.
“If you are in the business of chocolate production or anything else to do with chocolate or sweet treats, it’s time to book a space and make this an indulgent day to remember,."
If you would like to get involved in the festival, get in touch directly with Emily here.
Feature image - Yorkshire Chocolate Festival
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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.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd September 2021 
