The annual 10-day food and drink festival kicks off on 19 May
May is the most delicious time of year. It’s the month we associate with seasonal produce really hitting its stride after the quieter winter months, but it’s also Leeds Indie Food time, and that means more collaborations, events, talks, and one-offs than you can shake an enormous greedy belly at.
The time has come to start back, telling our story and raising the profile of some of the smaller indies as well as the bigger boys
Among the many, many events this year, we’ve got a supper club with Starward Whisky at the Tetley, a Plantation Rum brunch at Grindhouse, and the return of the Leeds Indie Market. But for fans of the multi-course experience, 2022 is a massive LIF year. Sarto is putting on a five-course menu with drinks pairings from Latitude, Ox Club and Kirkstall Brewery are joining forces for a tasting menu and, as a special one-off, Friends of Ham is presenting "Parts Unknown: A hammage to Anthony Bourdain," a five-course tasting menu with drinks pairings. The event is inspired by the great man’s trips to Spain and Italy, with each course being based on a clip from Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
Elsewhere, Stuzzi is hosting a Zero Miles Dinner, Bramble will be popping up at the Tetley for a Plant-Based Oriental Feast, and Little Bao Boy will be at North Bar’s City venue for a Laksa night.
LIF Founder, Simon Fogal said, “Like all hospitality businesses we pivoted constantly as we went from our annual festival in May to signposting people to indies, creating supportive merch, hampers, magazines and more.
"We listened to businesses and helped initiate Chow Down at Temple Arches. The time has come to start back, telling our story and raising the profile of some of the smaller indies as well as the bigger boys, really trying to put Leeds on this map. We want to celebrate indie culture too, having a thriving indie food scene helps a city tell a story, so we want to strengthen this part.”
The new LIF website does just that, with events, interviews, and thought pieces forming a hub for independent businesses that anyone can contribute to by getting in touch. LIF will also be working this year to promote mental health in the industry and healthier eating, as well as an upcoming restaurant week (details TBA).
Tickets for the main LIF events are already on sale via the website.
Header image: Jo Ritchie
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