Local food producers, farmers, restaurateurs and chefs are being invited to take part in the annual Leeds food festival as dates are announced for Leeds Loves Food 2012. 

Organisers of the festival have confirmed that the Yorkshire Food and drink Show, held on the city’s Millennium Square, will return from 25- 27 May 2012. 

Managed in partnership with Marketing Leeds, Leeds City Council and the Yorkshire Post/Yorkshire Evening Post, the Yorkshire Food and Drink Show is the centrepiece of the innovative festival, and attracted 38,000 visitors in 2011. A theatre kitchen with cookery demonstrations and chef cook-offs will take centre stage at the show.

Alongside the hundreds of stalls at the show, the festival also brings together a jam packed calendar of events in major venues across the city. In 2011, the Victoria Quarter hosted its own food festival with demonstrations from outlets including Anthony’s patisserie, Opposite Café and Bagel Nash whilst The Light hosted cocktail making masterclasses and pizza making workshops. Leeds Kirkgate markets also hosted a farmer’s and crafts markets as well as offering special lunchtime treats.

Jean Dent, Director of Marketing Leeds said: “The Leeds Loves Food festival is an incredible event that demonstrates the variety and quality of produce available in Leeds. The festival is one of the highlights of the Leeds event calendar and provides an opportunity for our fabulous restaurants, cafes and stores to showcase their offer to a national and international audience, ensuring that the city tempts the tastebuds of many. 

“Leeds has become a foodies hotspot with many award-winning restaurants but catering, too, for all tastes and budgets.” 

Despite the festival’s popularity, the founding objective to keep access to Millennium Square free of charge remains intact.

The festival will follow on from the successful ‘Christkindlemarkt’, which brings to Millennium Square specialist German delicacies and an authentic bier-keller until 18th December. Taking place earlier than in 2012, the festival will also kick start a Summer of foodie offers and events throughout the city so that everyone in the city has something to get their teeth into!

Cath Follin, Head of City Centre Management and Markets said: “Leeds is constantly striving to be the best at all it does and the food scene is a vibrant one. The city has much to be proud of and Leeds Loves Food is our annual festival, sharing the city’s passion for culinary excellence with residents and visitors.”
 
For more information visit www.leedslovesfood.com.

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