By Jill Stocks
It was a successful night for Horsforth at the Oliver Awards on Monday with a popular local chef and a popular local venue rewarded for their fantastic work.
Town Street venue Hooleos took home the award for Best Customer Service and Bavette chef and co-owner Sandy Jarvis won Chef of the Year.
Six venues in Horsforth were nominated for the awards and came together on Monday evening to enjoy the ceremony and celebrations held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
Owner of Hooleos Julio Tumalan spoke of his pride of winning the Best Customer Service award.
“I’m thrilled and truly honoured being selected winner for Best Customer Service at the Leeds Oliver Awards 2026, thanks to all the people that voted for us and have supported us since we opened two years ago.
“It’s been an incredible journey full of challenges after losing a previous business and being in massive debt, starting from scratch from what it was intended to be just another budget coffee-sandwich shop into what Hooleos Mexican Café Bar is now.
“One one hand I’m so grateful to all my staff, who are ambassadors of what the Mexican warm service is all about, caring for every single customer that walks through our doors. I’m also thankful to all the amazing community that is Horsforth and Leeds and all our loyal customers and friends, that without their vote of support, this award wouldn’t have been possible to achieve.
“The other finalists in our category are also exceptional restaurants in Leeds making a difference in the city and understandably it was extremely hard to choose a winner.”
Hooleos was nominated in four categories at the awards and their success in the customer service category is a reflection of what an important part of the Horsforth community they have become since opening just over two years ago.
“It is the community who actually make all this happen by supporting businesses in these tough times for the industry, so it’s our duty to collaborate and work with them offering the best.”
Julio also spoke fondly of the other hospitality venues in Horsforth.
“I want to acknowledge the work and contribution of other Horsforth based businesses for their nominations on their own categories helping us lift the name of the area, showing that Horsforth has too much to give in terms of quality and variety to the whole of Leeds hospitality industry, we are not just selling food and drinks to customers, we create art and deliver unique experiences on our own specialities, Hoc Loco, Bavette, Forde, Beyond the Red Door and The Three Swords, I’m proud of them.”
Just a couple of doors down is popular restaurant Bavette, owned by Clement Cousins and his husband Sandy Jarvis.
Taking away the Chef of the Year award at the ceremony Sandy also spoke of his love of the community and hospitality venues in Horsforth.
“I’m over the moon with winning the award, very grateful to receive it. It’s also fantastic to see so many Horsforth independents there on the night and amongst the winners. It’s a special place and so wonderful to see it thriving.”
You can see a full list of the winners across all the categories at the Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards here.
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