To celebrate National Pizza Day, the launch of Rudy's third pizzeria opening in Leeds and just because we thought - who wouldn't want pizza for a year? - we've got one heck of a giveaway lined up for you.
The lucky winner will receive Famiglia Card - a special 'black card' that means you will have access to a whole lot of pizza throughout the year.
The Famiglia Card can be used twice a week for an entire year at any of Leeds three venues - so you can make your way around Leeds every week and have some of the best scran in town without forking out a penny.
How to enter this mammoth giveaway
It really couldn't be more straight forward.
To be in with a chance of winning a year's worth of Rudy's pizza, all you need to do is head to our Instagram, give us a follow (@thehootleeds) and Rudy's (@wearerudyspizza), and comment someone that you'd take for pizza, or that might want to enter too.
There's bonus points for sharing onto your story, and every comment will count as one entry- so make sure to tag as many friends as you can to increase your chances.
The giveaway winner will be announced by The Hoot Leeds and Rudy's ONLY. Please do not follow any other accounts claiming to be a part of this or respond to any messages apart from @thehootleeds and @wearerudypizza.
T&Cs apply - and can be found on the Rudy's website here.
Rudy's Pizzeria brings a slice of Italy to the north - and we love them for it
Born in 2015 in Ancoats, Manchester, the foodie favourite has since expanded across the north to bring Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese to Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and even the capital.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Having opened a second site last year in Chapel Allerton, Rudy’s is continuing to bring Leeds a true Italian feast, with fresh pizzas made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
As for drinks, you’ll find a classic Italian-dominated wine list, popular aperitivos like Aperol Spritz and Campari soda, and a selection of different beers and softs.
How does the Famiglia Card work?
Essentially, a black card is a sign of being a ‘top fan’ of a food or drinks vendor that gives you unlimited free food. Nandos ‘High Five’ black card, as seen from the likes of Stormzy and Ed Sheeran started the trend and the concept has since become a national phenomenon.
Now the concept of a special card has been around for a while now, but the Rudy's version is as rare as they come - so any recipient will be sure to treasure this.
The idea is that you simply walk into any of Leeds' Rudy's restaurants and show the staff your Famiglia Card and get your pizza on the house.
That's it - as simple as can be.
The Famiglia Card is a big deal in the pizza world. / Image: Rudy's
Where can I find my nearest Rudy's?
There's three in total in Leeds. One in the city centre, just moments from the train station on New Station Street - so it's perfect for meeting friends, a work lunch break or winding down from a long day before heading on your commute home.
The second is in Chapel Allerton. Having opened in the suburb last summer, the pizzeria took over the former Casa Mia site on Stainbeck Road and has been tempting locals and newcomers out of the city centre with light and crisp pizzas, unlike anything else you'll find in the local area.
The new site will see a new foodie hotspot appear on Otley Road in Headingley in March, and there will be ample opportunity to taste test the authentic Neapolitan classics once open.
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.
The Hoot -
9th February 2023 
