For the sixth year running, an eclectic mix of rum brands from near and far will once again take over Leeds’ this autumn.
Taking place on Saturday 17 September 2022, Leeds' Corn Exchange is set to host this exciting festival from Rolling Social Events, following the success of sister events, Leeds Whisky Festival and the upcoming Leeds Tequila Festival.
The one-day-festival will see 100 different rums on show, including popular names like Plantation, Takamaka, Nusa Caña, El Dorado and Skipper, as well as new up-and-coming boozy brands too.
The sixth September edition of Leeds Rum Festival is set to be its biggest yet, according to producers.
Rolling Social Events is cementing itself as an events company that prides itself not only on showcasing the best in spirits but putting a spotlight on fun and education. Accompanied by music and entertainment, as well as food, Leeds Rum Festival is a premier all-round experience for rum lovers.
Amongst the exciting rum brands on offer, Nusa Caña, an Indonisian rum "packed full of tropical flavour charged with the attitude and energy of today's Bali" will be sponsoring the occasion whilst returning sponsor Three Cents will be creating mixers inspired by bartenders for bartenders with a fusion of premium sodas to act as the ideal accompaniment for your rum throughout the day-long festival.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
The swt-up will also feature a Monin Rum bar, where you'll be able to shake up your usual rum concoctions with a range of tropical classic cocktails- each with a twist. Think Piña Coladas, spiced mango rum punches and watermelon daiquiris.
If rum isn't your usual tipple, there's ample opportunity to taste test a range of local craft beers on the day too.
Tickets to Leeds Rum Festival will cost £30 each and include access to all of the 100+ rum brands, as well as the opportunity to partake in several masterclasses, including talks from Satinago de Cuba, Nusa Caña and Speciality brands.
Lee Jones, Rolling Social Events says: “It feels like only yesterday that we were announcing the first Rum Festival and here we are gearing up for our sixth, back once again at Leeds Corn Exchange.
Image: Supplied (Chapter 81)
"We want to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever, meaning more rum, more music, more masterclasses and more great street food traders. As ever, the festival is designed around drinking better quality alongside fun and education , and we’re very lucky to be working with another stellar line-up of incredible brands. We look forward to seeing you in September!”
For more information about the sixth annual Leeds Rum Festival at Leeds' Corn Exchange, including how to book your tickets for the event, visit the Eventbrite website.
Feature Image- Supplied (Chapter 81)
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.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
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 -
4th July 2022 
