Epicurious? Then head to Leeds for the 19-day celebration of the north’s thriving indie food and drink scene, Leeds Indie Food 2018 (AKA #LIF18). Serving up a smorgasbord of specials, from Scotch eggs to IPAs, and tempting your tastebuds with pop-ups at every turn, there’s plenty to eat, drink and do at the fourth Leeds Indie Food showcase. Get stuck in on Friday 11 May with an immersive evening of Indian cooking paired with single estate teas, courtesy Observer Food Monthly Award-winners Rafi’s Spicebox X North Star Coffee plus pud from Noisette Bakehouse. Kicking off the first weekend, there’s a three-day festival-within-a-festival School Diner at Chapel Allerton Primary School – think street food trucks, performances, and fun and games for all the family, including your four-legged friend (Fri 11 – Sun 13 May, times vary, free entry) Every Friday and Saturday night of Leeds Indie Food, The Reliance gastro pub will be building its specials board (and suggested wine pairings) from a classic recipe collection (vegetarian to start, fish and seafood, and, on the final weekend, meat) – the The Reliance Cooks The Books series begins on Friday 11 May. As well as a PAYF supermarket open throughout May, the Real Junk Food Emporium will be putting on three fine dining evenings – on Tuesday 15, Tuesday 22 and Monday 28 May – when Andy Castle (Ox Club), Helen Russell Brown (HRB Bakes) and Caleb Elliott (Rainbow Junktion) will be working their culinary magic using fresh produce otherwise headed for the bin. With five courses just £25, and BYOB, it promises to be the tastiest cheap date ever – and all proceeds will be reinvested back into community projects. Also benefitting from #LIF18 is charity Action Against Hunger, with funds being raised via the Festival Passport privilege scheme and also at Leeds’ first-ever Too Many Critics event, taking place at Mark Owens’ and Liz Cottam’s HOME restaurant on Monday 14 May.
Thu 10 – Wed 30 May, various venues, Leeds, times and prices vary, leedsindiefood.co.uk
- Words:
- Sarah-Clare Conlon
- Published on:
- Sat 19 May 2018
