From a Mexican market to bread-shaping and tea-tasting…our pick of the latest batch
FANCY an immersive forest dining foray, a Twin Peaks experience in cherry pie lipsmackin’ Meanwood, or a candlelit Victorian banquet in the city’s oldest pub? Leeds Indie Food is still packing in extra events as tickets go on general sale today.
And, of course, there’s still the opportunity to snap up a £11 Festival Passport, giving you priority access (plus great discounts) to the citywide festival’s 80+ events (10-28 May).
Here’s our pick of the latest happenings…
May 10: Chida Cantina in Cross Belgrave Street presents Viva la Vegan – a celebration of all things plant based, including an El Marchador Mexican street food feast comprising of nibbles, antojitos, tacos and a dessert, along with three Olmeca Altos refreshments.
May 11: Rafi’s Spicebox host North Star Coffee Shop for an immersive Indian Cooking Demo (7pm-9.30pm), exploring the incredible aromatics of spices paired with speciality single estate tea. There will be generous tasters available of all the dishes cooked plus a tantalising array of teas. Rafi’s won ‘Best Independent Retailer’ in the 2017 Observer Food Monthly awards.
May 18: Cosy, boho Tandem in Meanwood will be transformed into a surreal Twin Peaks Experience. Inspiration for the food and decor will come from the infamous David Lynch TV series and will include cocktails by North Bar’s Alfred, a themed five-course small plates menu, live DJ set and bar.
May 18: From 4.30pm at Cafe 164, Bread For Your Head in Munro House will host a bread-shaping demo, looking at the mindful and therapeutic links between mental health and baking. Funds raised from ticket sales will be donated to Leeds’ Mind charity.
May 18 and 19: Two nights of Find The Forest events, where Beth Webber, aka Forest Found, is creating another unique outdoor dining experience around a tree-lined table at Skelton Grange Environmental Centre for an immersive forest feast. Showcasing seasonal offerings from the Harewood Estate, chef Josh Whitehead will create bold flavours inspired by nature.
May 27: Classic English heritage dishes from the pub’s nineteenth century heyday are the star attraction at Whitelock’s Candlelit Victorian Banquet, along with that astonishing interior - £35 a head.
Funded by Leeds Business Improvement District (Leeds BID) and Leeds City Council, LIF is the key showcase of Leeds’ ever-growing indie food community. What's more, £1 from every Festival Passport sold is donated to Action Against Hunger; a charity that works with restaurants nationally to fight child malnutrition in over 49 countries.
The 2018 programme of events will be spread across three festival strands: Eat, Drink and Do. Sustainability will be a strong focus, with several indies committing to mission statements like working towards zero waste policies and helping Leeds apply for the sustainable city badge. As leaders of change, they want Leeds to inspire other communities to come together and work collectively to tackle environmental problems on a citywide scale.
Leeds Indie Food will take place May 10-28. For a full list of #LIF18 events so far visit the website. For updates check @leedsindiefood
