Home bird Liz Cottam has a new nest in Kirkgate Market
Wise old foodies in Leeds know that Masterchef contestant and owner of the acclaimed fine dining spot HOME, Liz Cottam, is someone you definitely want cooking your dinner.
Expect up-to-date versions of traditional dishes like a signature fish pie baked in a crab shell, a daily-changing whole roast game bird, and a rabbit suet pudding
Confidentials recently reported that Liz had several irons in the fire within the historical Kirkgate Market. The first of these ambitious projects is opening this Friday, November 1st.
Gastropub The Owl - located at the top of Fish & Game Row - is a first for the market and will celebrate the best of local produce in keeping with its setting amid a plethora of butchers, fishmongers and other long-standing market traders.
With a talon-ted chef at the helm, Fish and game will be the stars of the menu. Expect up-to-date versions of traditional dishes like a signature 'Mr Crab' fish pie composed of crab, salmon and cod topped with creamy mash and baked in a crab shell; a daily-changing whole roast game bird served with spuds, veg and gravy; and a rabbit suet pudding.
Liz will also be involving local traders as much as possible. For example, she has been speaking to a couple of the butchers about making sausages to her own recipe which can then be used in the pub’s dishes.
The taproom will also showcase Leeds brewery Northern Monk, who have even developed a special brew with Liz: Wisdom is a hazy pale ale with notes of lemon verbena.
The market is a staunchly protected space, and it’s not usually open after dark. But in an unprecedented turn of events, on Friday and Saturday nights, guests at The Owl who have booked online - pre-booking is essential, even just for drinks - will be met individually at the market’s doors and escorted through the deserted halls of the market to enjoy this exclusive venue by night. What a hoot.
Liz said, “We are so excited to reveal the opening date. The Owl will be a haven of peace from the busy streets and the hustle of Kirkgate Market.
"I’ve always been drawn to owning a pub in the Market, and I really want this place, and the Market, to thrive once again. I have already made some great friends with traders like Malcolm Michaels, Owt, Tarbett’s and many others, and I hope that more businesses will follow us into this great space.”
