The Angel at Hetton, the celebrated gastropub that lays claim to being one of the country's first, has just been named the best in the country.
First made famous by the late chef Denis Watkins in the 1980s, its reputation is now on the rise again under the new ownership of Michael Wignall, who took over the 15th-century pub with his wife Johanna in partnership with James and Jo Wellock in 2018.
As one of the UK’s most respected and accomplished chefs, Wignall has so far won a Michelin star in every kitchen he has helmed since 1993. At The Angel, he is serving up much more than mere pub grub.
Image: The Angel at Hetton
Image: The Angel at Hetton
Image: The Angel at Hetton
The last two venues he has headed – The Latymer at Pennyhill Park in Surrey and Gidleigh Park in Devon – won and retained two stars under his stewardship. Now, he is bringing a high-end touch to the Yorkshire Dales boozer.
Coming in at number 12, as well as being named Gastropub of The Year for the second year running, it is one of just two Yorkshire pubs to feature in this year's Top 50 list.
Commenting on the win, the team said: "Absolutely fantastic to be placed Number 12 in the @nationalrestaurantawards Top 100 UK restaurants, along with Gastropub of the year. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, it means the world."
The Angel is joined on the list by The Black Swan at Olstead, which appears at number 32, Run by Great British Menu star Tommy Banks, Also an hour's drive from Leeds, it's described as being 'well worth the journey'.
Image: The Black Swan at Olstead
The Michelin-starred pub has a global reputation for excellence and was named Tripadvisor's Restaurant of the Year in 2017.
Opting for a tasting-menu-only approach, chef-patron Tommy Banks takes inspiration from ingredients grown in the pub's surrounding fields or foraged in and around Oldstead.
Dishes are seasonal and based on what is available locally, however, the menu is not completely dictated by the seasons - regularly using pickled and preserved ingredients in the more fallow months.
Banks’ menu of small plates changes regularly but visitors can expect premium ingredients such as scallops, aged beef and langoustine paired with stellar homegrown produce.
To see the full list of pubs named in this year's awards, click here.
Feature image - The Angel at Hetton
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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 -
14th June 2022 
