School Diner, Leeds I remove a slice to unveil the shape of Pac-Man. Studded with gems of ruby red pepper, a smothering of blistered halloumi and slugs of muddy green pesto. My pizza sits on a paper plate it’s already outgrown and as each fragile slice is airlifted towards my mouth, rings of translucent grease …
Two cinnamon bagels, a nap and several podcasts later, I'd arrived in Rotterdam. I disembarked the train (quick Passport, money, phone check) walked out of the ticket barriers and realised...I hadn't really thought this far. I was actually in Rotterdam now. A city in Europe I'd never been to in my life and I was …
"Rotterdam? Isn't that a port?" This was the response I was met with, every time I said I was going there by myself for three days. I used, "its amazing architecture", as my go-to reply but soon realised this sounded weird when I wasn't exactly a budding architect - so I quickly added "art, food …
During lockdown, I read Bill Bryson's novel, The Body. As we went head first into a pandemic, I dedicated my evenings and weekends to this book. It was a stark revelation to be reminded of how in awe we should be of the muscles, bones and hormones that hold us together and look after us. …
When we embarked on our kitchen renovation, there was the desirable revelation that with no means of cooking, we would have no other choice but to feed off takeouts, everyday, for a week. The notion was exciting and thrilling. There was something that felt so indulgent but it was also totally ok, because we were …
The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic and it's now EVEN more important than ever to continue supporting small and local businesses. I want to shine a particular light on some of the amazing black-owned restaurants, cafes and street food outlets in Leeds, who are continuing to serve …
Continue reading Support local, black-owned businesses in Leeds
"This place doesn't have an address," were the words uttered as we got out the Uber. "Right, where are we going then?" It wasn't long before we stumbled upon the restaurant on Stainbeck Corner, despite not being able to find the postcode anywhere (it's now on their social media). It was a Friday night and …
Continue reading Hern, Leeds: ‘A chorus of small plates started flying out of the kitchen’.
I remember it well; my first Deliveroo. Back in June 2015. I couldn't believe the sorcery when my favourite meal, from my favourite restaurant (The Fish Club) arrived at my door, steaming hot and ready to eat from the comfort of my own sofa. True, I had ordered takeaway from The Fish Club before but …
Continue reading ‘Guilt manifests itself in a cold, soggy box of chips’
Lisbon is a city for exploring. Spend the day meandering around narrow, cobbled streets, climbing up stone steps and soaking up panoramic views from the ruins of a castle, or a rooftop bar with a porto tónico in hand. It's a city steeped in history with mesmerising architecture, plus, you're never less than ten metres away from …
Ah, British weather. It just loves to keep us on our toes. Some days, I'll leave for work wearing sunglasses and no coat, only to return home using my broken umbrella as a shield to battle my way through a three minute hail storm (whilst seriously regretting my lack of coat). Most mornings, I don't …
food with mood 