Leeds’ great hospitality scene is being celebrated with the launch of a show for Digital Food Week, from 10 – 16 May.
It’s a joint venture between Chapter 81 and Welcome to Leeds, with the opportunity for Leeds food and drink businesses to tell their stories and help remind people of the delights they have to offer everyone once more. Digital Food Week will no doubt stir up memories and restore the excitement for good food, good company and relaxed times.
Johnny I’Anson, Larry Budd and Beth Parsons, together with Holy Mountain Kitchen’s, Harry Johns, will be part of the live TV show, with a range of other events taking place throughout the week.
Speaking about Digital Food Week, founder of Chapter 81, Simon Fogal:
“We’re passionate about Leeds and its amazing food and drink scene. There are so many businesses large and small out there that have taken a huge hit over the past year and we want to shine a light on them and get the people of Leeds excited about going out in the City and helping to kick start their local economy once more.
We’ll be looking at all elements of the hospitality sector – food and drink, but also advice for anyone wanting to start a hospitality business. With so many businesses taking part in various different ways, the week is set to be one of the biggest collaboration festivals ever.”
Topics to be discussed during the week will include how the hospitality sector can recover, the Leeds indie food and drink scene, mental health and advice from the Nationwide Caterers Association about starting up in street food.
Martin Dickson from LeedsBID (which is behind Welcome to Leeds):
“This is such an exciting time for Leeds. In collaboration with Chapter 81, we have created some great video content, welcoming people back to Leeds and reminding them of the amazing things to see, do and taste around the City, and this is an extension of that which goes a little deeper.
We’ll delve into the hospitality sector as a whole and speak to people who are equally as passionate about Leeds as we are. We are really keen for as many people to tune in as possible and encourage them to come back to the City they know and love, experiencing what each venue has to offer. It’s a chance for people to support the businesses they are already familiar with, whilst also showcasing new ones they can support. With around 45 participants already lined up to speak to our hosts throughout the week, It’s going to be a truly unique project and we can’t wait for people to get chatting!”
A segment called the ‘Big Picture’ will feature chats with the people behind some of the City’s best loved indies as well as supporters of the scene. Expect to hear from Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive at LeedsBID; Becci Erbillur-Gray, City Centre Project Manager at Leeds City Council; and founder of Escapism Bar Group, Phil Harrison, amongst others, as the team behind Leeds Digital Food Week goes about opening up the conversation around food and drink being a culture.
Other guests on the show will be Liz Cottam, Rob Hallas and Ben Davy, and there’ll be a selection of beers to take part in tasting chats with some of Leeds’ best known breweries, such as Northern Monk, North Brew Co and Anthology. There will also be some fun show-and-tells from Doh Hut, Big Guys Thicc Sauce, Laynes Espresso, Swine That Dines and Spice and Green
Host Beth Parsons will visit Sarto, Rola Wala, Ox Club, Manjit’s Kitchen and Harvey Nichols, learning to cook with some of Leeds’ best chefs. Meanwhile, host Harry Johns will be highlighting what’s on offer in the City’s excellent suburbs and will chat to street food traders, delving into hospitality on a broader scale..
Other guests include Leeds Beer Tours and Domino Club, and venues across the City will be featuring food and drink specials to coincide with Leeds Digital Food Week so people can get a fully immersive experience of what Leeds’ hospitality sector has to offer.
Music:Leeds has recommended some of Leeds new musical talent to end each show. They are all free to attend and free to join in. Just register your interest on the website and book your chosen slot.
Where to Watch? Every event will be free to watch and available on Welcome to Leeds YouTube channel http://bit.ly/wtlyoutube or across social media including Leeds Indie Food, Welcome to Leeds and Chapter 81.
