This year's Leeds Loves Food festival welcomes a range of events to celebrate Leeds' fantastic foodie offer across the festival period, 25th - 27th May 2012. Stay tuned as we reveal details of the jam-packed calendar over the next month.
May - July 2012: Leeds Kirkgate Market
'Global Food Markets'
Free events
In celebration of London 2012 Leeds City Council are working with Shelf Life, to create a series of exciting events to be held in the award winning Leeds Kirkgate Market. Over the next 3 months events will focus on the culinary traditions of the countries coming to Leeds this summer to prepare their teams for the Games:
China, Russia, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands with a launch event around the culinary delights of Southern Africa.
The events will involve community groups from the City who will be involved in cooking demo’s, food tastings and other cultural activities, relevant to their nation.
Southern Africa: Saturday 19th May - Tasty recipes and demos, Zulu dancers and an African choir.
Australia: Thursday 21st June: Real 'Aussie' pies.
Russia: Saturday 30th June: It's not all beetroot soup and boiled cabbage!
Canada: Thursday - 5th July: The lovely Alley with her Nanaimo bars and some savoury delicacies too.
Netherlands: Friday 6th July: Spekdikken, not a Dutch spotted Dick but a small savoury pancake.
China – Saturday 14th July: The Chinese community welcome you to cook with them.
May – Waterstones Leeds, Albion Strret
'Leeds favourite cookbook'
Free event
Waterstones Leeds, Yorkshire’s biggest bookshop, is proud to support Leeds Loves Food. To mark the occasion, they are on a mission to find the people of Leeds’ favourite cookbook of all time, with the winner to be announced on Saturday 26th May. To vote, pick up a voting slip from our Cookery section, or Tweet them @WaterstoneLeeds.
Why not check out their fabulous window display, celebrating all things food, as well as the great selection of cookbooks instore.
Wednesday 23rd - Sunday 27th May: Briggate, Leeds
'The Moroccan Market of Handicraft'
10:00am - 19:00pm, 11:00am - 17:00am on Sunday
Free event
The Moroccan Market of Handicraft comes to Briggate, Weds 23 May to Sun 27 May, open 10am to 7pm (Sunday 11am to 5pm). A new attraction for Leeds Loves Food this year, The Moroccan Market Of Handicraft brings the kasbah to your door and gives you the opportunity to experience Morocco directly. Wander among traditional Moroccan Berber tents, soaking up the atmosphere and choosing from a huge variety of artisan products, from pottery and ceramics including the fabulous traditional tagine, through handmade carpets and leather goods. You'll also be able to sample traditional Moroccan foods and herbs and spices. This promises to be a spectacular event and can't be missed.
Friday 25th May: Millennium Square, Leeds
'Leeds Loves Food Kitchen Theatre Opening'
11:15am
Free event
Brian will open the Leeds Loves Food Theatre Kitchen on Friday 25th May at the Yorkshire Food and Drink show, the festival’s centerpiece on Millennium Square and backed by the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post. He will take to the stage at 11.15am alongside school dinner ladies from the Catering Agency, who will be cooking and championing delicious and nutritious school meals. He will also be joined by ‘Team Leeds’ in a London 2012 inspired cooking demonstration with The Source at Leeds Kirkgate Markets at 12:00pm creating internationally flavored dishes. A full programme of live cooking demonstrations at the Leeds Loves Food Theatre Kitchen will be revealed soon.
Friday 25th May: Merrion Centre
'Brian Turner at the Merrion Centre'
1:30pm and 15:00pm
Free event
Brian will host live cooking demonstrations at 1:30pm and 3pm. Entry is free and Brian will be signing autographs and meeting visitors for photographs after the demonstrations.
Friday 25th May: Oulton Hall
'How to make the perfect Yorkshire Afternoon Tea'
15:00pm - 16:00pm
Free event
Join Oulton Hall's Chef to find out how they prepare one of their renowned, delicious Afternoon Teas. Enjoy an interactive demonstration including a unique tea tasting session. This is a free event however is limited to 30 spaces and pre booking is essential. Contact Joelle in Oulton Hall's events office on 0113-282-1000 or email Joelle.mountain@devere-hotels.com.
During the Leeds Loves Food Festival why not book Afternoon Tea on any day between 2pm – 6pm - £22 per person including a glass of fizz! Pre booking is essential – quote “Leeds Loves Food” when booking – 0113-282-1000.
Friday 25th May: Yorkshire Bank, Kirkgate Branch
Free event
On the 25th May, Yorkshire Bank will be sharing their banking hall in Kirkgate Branch with Small Business Customers that manufacture food to demonstrate their products to Yorkshire Bank customers.
More details to follow.
Friday 25th May: Leeds Corn Exchange
'An Evening with Brian Turner'
Ticketed Event
An Evening with Brian Turner will be a celebration of Yorkshire. The three course menu designed by Brian Turner and cooked by Anthony Flinn will be a collection of the finest Yorkshire produce and served under the wonderful domed roof of Leeds Corn Exchange. Tickets are £50 and available here.
Friday 25th - Saturday 26th May: Leeds Corn Exchange
'Cornucopia'
Friday: 12pm - 8pm, Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Free event
A two day celebration of local produce, in the beautiful setting of Leeds Corn Exchange
Demos, tastings and produce to buy, from delicious creamy fudge, through to hot chilli sauce.
Friday 25th – Sunday 27th May: Victoria Quarter
Victoria Quarter’s Food Festival
Free event
Victoria Quarter’s Festival of Food runs from 25th – 27th May and offers the opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest culinary products. The centre’s six food venues, including Harvey Nichols, Anthony’s Patisserie, YO! Sushi, Bagel Nash and Opposite Café will all be participating with tastings and stalls, giving a real flavour of the best of Yorkshire fayre.
Friday 25th – Sunday 27th May: St Johns Centre
'Pampered Chefs'
Friday and Saturday: 11am – 4pm, Sunday: 12pm – 3pm.
Free event.
Join the Pampered Chef in St Johns Centre across the festival weekend, who will be on hand with fabulous food demonstrations, tasty food samples and their range of cooking utensils, whilst showcasing their Pampered Chef nights.
Saturday 26th May: The Source at Leeds Kirkgate Market
'Brian Turner Book Signing'
9:30am onwards
Free event
Shoppers at Leeds Kirkgate Market will be treated to a book signing of Brian Turner's latest recipe book on Saturday 26th from 9:30am – 11:00am.
Following Brian Turner's Book Signing the Source is going 'Fishy'. From 11am to 3pm join the Fishmongers of Leeds Kirkgate Market for demos, tastings and some great fish recipes, plus shucking oysters, and dressing crab with Hayes seafood bar, filleting fish and a quick and tasty squid dish, demonstrated by resident 'chef' Nick Copland.
Saturday 26th May: Create
'Create Loves Food Quiz'
11am – 2pm
Ticketed event
Enjoy a morning full of foodie fun, working in teams answering questions with tasting included. Tickets cost £10.95 per person, with booking essential. Please contact Aimee Hall on 0113 2420628 or email aimee.hall@createfoundation.co.uk for more information.
Saturday 26th May: The Light
'The Light’s Courtyard Kitchen'
Free event
The Light will be celebrating delicious food whilst helping to raise money for Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. Food lovers can expect a day of live cookery demonstrations, food stalls, cupcake workshops courtesy of Posh and Swanky and even a few friendly faces from the farm!
Saturday 26th May: Oulton Hall
'How to make a lunchtime classic – Caesar Salad (with cheese tastings)'
14:00pm - 15:00pm
Free event
Join Oulton Hall's Chef and his team in their award winning Calverley Grill restaurant and learn more about delicious cheeses as well as the secret to a classic Caesar Salad – always on Oulton Hall's lunchtime menu! This is a free event limited to 30 spaces however pre-booking is essential. Contact Joelle in Oulton Hall's events office on 0113-282-1000 or email Joelle.mountain@devere-hotels.com.
Sunday 27th May: Oulton Hall
'How to make a traditional Sunday tea time treat'
18:00pm - 19:00pm
Free event
Oulton Hall's club house restaurant, the Claret Jug, is renowned for relaxed, informal dining using only the best local Yorkshire ingredients. Talented chefs will be demonstrating how to cook a delicious tea time meal with a twist on a Sunday Roast as an interactive demonstration.
This is a free event limited to 30 spaces however pre-booking is essential. Contact Joelle in our events office on 0113-282-1000 or email Joelle.mountain@devere-hotels.com.
