By Jill Stocks
West Leeds residents are very lucky to have a huge and varied choice of venues for drinks and dining.
And several of these venues are now being recognised in the list of finalists for this year’s Oliver Awards.
The awards cover 17 categories, recognising both venues and staff, and this year there are three new categories – employee of the year, best street food and the People’s Choice Award for best local restaurant, voted for by the public.
Nominated in the Newcomer of the Year category is Horsforth restaurant Hooleos.
The Mexican restaurant celebrated its first anniversary at the beginning of November. Julio Tumalan is the owner. He said: “We are over the moon as this is proof that all our hard work and commitment to authenticity has paid off and customers are able to recognise quality on our food and service with our flawless 5 star review rating on social media.
“A massive thank you to all of you.”
Nominated in the Best Pub category is Granville’s Beer and Gin House on Long Row, Horsforth. As well as serving a range of local beers and ales Granvilles also offers a choice of over 80 gins.
Karobar, Indian Cuisine based at Kirkstall Brewery pub The Three Swords on New Road Side, is nominated in three categories – Best Local Restaurant, the Sustainablity Award and Best Street Food.
Gayatri Bartakke is the floor manager and part of the management team at Karobar, which opened in September 2023. Gayatri said: “We are really excited and thrilled about it and really looking forward to it.
“It’s the first time we are nominated for any kind of award so it’s nice to be recognised and be one of the finalists”.
Town Street restaurant Forde is nominated in the Best Local Restaurant category and two of its employees are also recognised in their own right.
Head Chef Liam Callaghan is nominated in the Rising Star category and colleague and General Manager Wendy Howgate is nominated in the Employee of the Year category.
Liam has been at Forde for just over a year, having worked in hospitality for twelve years, and when they opened a second restaurant in Ilkley he took over as head chef in Horsforth.
Matt Healy from Forde won the Judges Choice award at the Oliver Awards last year so they’re hoping to repeat the celebrations this year.
Liam spoke fondly of colleague Wendy: “Wendy’s been here since the start and she’s the glue that holds Forde together. She’s very much the heart and soul of this restaurant.”
On being nominated, Liam added: “We’re super excited. To continue to be recognised especially with Horsforth getting the recognition it is getting. A really exciting time for Horsforth and also for us. We’ve just been doing what we do best; making good food. We’re really excited now that we’ve got our second restaurant in Ilkley to branch out a little bit. A super exciting time for Leeds hospitality but also the outskirts.”
As well as Forde and Karobar, the Town Street venue Bavette Bistro is also nominated in the Best Local Restaurant Award.
Bavette Bistro’s nomination comes as it celebrates its first birthday this week. Chef Sandy Jarvis and husband Clement Cousin met whilst working in a bistro in London and opened Bavette to share their passion for great food, combining Sandy’s Leeds roots and Clements “French flair”.
“We’re really excited. It’s our one-year birthday this week so it’s a really lovely way to celebrate being nominated”.
“We’re really excited to go. There are some really good restaurants nominated and some good friends of ours as well.”
Other finalists in the public vote Best Local Restaurant (Public Vote) are Farsley’s Cafe Deli Margaux and Grumpy’s Pizza, as well as Lalas Restaurant in Pudsey.
You can vote for the best Local Restaurant award on the Oliver Awards website where you can also see the full list of finalists from across the city.
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