Now that we've hit mid-November, it really is starting to feel like Christmas.
The Christmas-themed lights are illuminating the skies above Briggate; Chow Down has opened its Winter Village and we're watching festive tipis pop up around the city centre as if they're Christmas trees.
Naturally, the best way to come together for juletide spirits is to stuff our faces with pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, turkey specials- and really, anything with cranberry sauce on it.
But rather than heading over to the same old place for the same old festive specials, Leeds Food Tours is bringing together the best of the city's independents and championing the local food and drink offering with a special Christmas food tour.
Taking place across Sunday 4 December 2022, those taking part in this year's Christmas food tour will be treated to six different venues, and there's even mulled wine to keep you toasty at your first stop.
For those that have previously been on one of Leeds Food Tours before, founder Ellen Miller has ensured that each of the Christmas stops will be at completely different- so it's a great chance to check out some new spots without repeating yourself.
In total the tour lasts four hours and involves stopping at six different locations across Leeds city centre, spanning a total walking length of 1.4 miles.
One of the most exciting components of the Leeds Food Tours is that its inclusive to different dietary needs. There's vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available, so there's no worry of having to go hungry at all on this tour.
If you can't make it to the Christmas special, Ellen runs regular foodie tours across the city, and can be either guided or self-guided depending on your preference- and either will make the ideal Christmas gift for anyone with a taste for exciting foodie options, and wants to support a local business this Christmas.
A feast for all the senses, Leeds Food Tours is a flexible guide around the city all based around food. The tours can take place any day of the week.
Those taking part in a self-guided tour simply need to follow the map and hand in special Leeds Food Tour tokens at each stop and welcome a range of dishes in return.
There's a choice of bao buns, tacos, falafels and gyozas on offer- and that's just the beginning.
Tickets to each food tour cost £65 per person, and include six stops across the city.
To find out more about Leeds Food Tours, including how to get involved in the Christmas special or bag one as a present, visit the Leeds Food Tours website.
Feature Image- Leeds Food Tours
News
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.
Sophie Smith -
21st November 2022 
