Putting Leeds on the gastronomic map is a shared ambition for those involved in this year's Leeds Loves Food event.
Speaking at today's launch, one of those involved in the preparations of the food lover's summer festival, John Dammone of Salvo's said it was time the city got the recognition it deserved.
"There always a perception that there's nothing worth doing outside of the M25 – I want to change that and for people to think of Leeds as a gastronomic centre. If you just consider the number of Michelin stars that people working here have spawned as they progress – it's phenomenal."
Dammone says the city sets itself apart in food terms because of the breadth of different cuisines on offer.
That variety and range of cuisines illustrated in style by the blogging journey of 20 cuisines in just one day which was carried out via Leeds Grub late last year.
Accessible
Harvey Nichol's executive chef Richard Allen hope the festival will enable more people to explore what's on offer by making good food more accessible.
"We will try to encourage people to get an understanding of why we do it."
Although the programme for the July event has yet to be drawn up, Allen revealed that a version of a traditional afternoon tea would be part of the proceedings.
In conjunction with Anthony's Restaurant, Harvey Nichols is looking at venues for an event which will be about the sociability of food: "It's about enjoying food together,not abut high brow prices" added Allen.
There will probably be about 100 places for the tea party where diners can expect to find attention has been paid to working with local producers on the smallest details such jams and preserves from the tiny Yorkshire Rosebud supplier based near Thirsk.
During the launch event at City Inn, organisers also revealed that Headingley, Chapel Allerton and Leeds Urban Village will be included in the festivities for the first time.
Leeds Loves Food will run from 1-4 July. We will bring you more details about the programme nearer the time.
