Q: Can you share a bit about your journey into food and where it all began?

A: My love for food started early, but I never worked in a professional kitchen. The idea for doh’hut came from a road trip down the West Coast of the USA where I was inspired by all the food trucks and street food. I just had to think of an idea which was ‘British’ and something a little different so I could stand out from the crowd. I began making donuts as a passion project and took it to the streets with a food truck. Winning the Northern heats of the British Street Food Awards in 2018 gave me the push and confidence to grow further. Later that same year we were crowned the UK champions in London and then went on to win ‘Best Dessert’ at the European Street Food Awards in Berlin! By 2020, we opened our first bricks-and-mortar site in Leeds, Doh’hut.

Q: Why donuts?

A: Donuts remind me of being a kid. I grew up in Hull, and seaside trips to Whitby always involved jam donuts. My donuts are inspired by that nostalgia, but I wanted to make them “a million miles better” than my student top pic, the ‘Morrison’s five pack’, but with everything handmade. It’s about creating a connection to those flavours and memories.

Q: What’s the secret behind your donuts?

A: Precision and quality. It takes three days to make a donut, from the dough to the fillings. Our flavours—vanilla, raspberry, chocolate ganache, and lemon—have stayed consistent for five years. It’s about perfecting the classics so customers know what they love and come back for it.

Q: How did ‘Things in Bread’ come about?

A: During lockdown, Doh’hut became super popular for our donuts. We dropped sandwiches to focus, but I always wanted a space to highlight great sandwiches. ‘Things in Bread,’ which opened in January 2023, is our answer to that—simple yet excellent meal-deal sandwiches done right.

Q: Tell us about BAKE. What makes it special?

A: BAKE, will be opening at Tower Works in January and we’re excited to bring the ethos of Northern bakeries to a new level. The focus is on classic treats—vanilla slices, sausage rolls, cornflake tarts—with a modern twist. The bakery revolves around four themes: slice, roll, bake, and twist. We’re all about making everything fresh on-site so you can see, smell, and experience the process - we’ll have an open kitchen, so you can see everything going on - absolutely nothing is hidden.

Q: What’s the inspiration behind BAKE?

A: Nostalgia is a big part of it. I want people to feel that connection to Northern bakery staples while enjoying a high-quality, unbeatable product. Beyond that, it’s about accessibility—being a community hub where fresh pastries and bread are baked daily, creating a welcoming, immersive space for everyone. Even though BAKE will have a northern pastry focus, we will be sharing the Doh’hut love — we’ll be bringing a selection of our fresh donuts over every day.

Q: If you were to describe BAKE in three words what would they be?

A: Immersive. Nostalgia. The best flakiest pastry you’ve ever tasted (sorry its not one word!)

Q: How does BAKE stand out in its new location?

A: Tower Works is a stunning Canalside spot, even in the rain. It’s close enough to town but accessible for a growing neighbourhood - plus we’re right next to Granary Wharf. BAKE will add something new to this beautiful part of Leeds that’s surrounded with heritage. Located by the incredible three Italian-inspired towers feels epic too. More and more is happening in this part of town - it was great to see the Tower Works Street Fest launch this summer with the team from Yorkshire Food Guide, so we’re really excited to be part of the area.

Q: What are your plans for evenings at BAKE?

A: We’re exploring all things dough! In the summer evenings we’ll be hosting some special supper clubs - serving canalside pasta nights with natural wine and a relaxed vibe. We’ll have a simple but brilliant set menu focusing on handmade vegetarian options, desserts, and salads. It’s an extension of what we’ve perfected at Doh’hut but with a fresh twist for BAKE.

Q: What values drive your business?

A: It’s about excellence, handmade craft, British ingredients and creating a great experience—for both customers and staff. We’re proud of our staff loyalty and the fun, supportive environment we foster. Our team is made up of great personalities, we only have one person who has come from an actual professional kitchen background. We teach everyone how to do everything, so we have all learnt from the same place. It’s great fun and there’s always good banter flying about. Passion is the key. We have great rapport with our customers and we’re a fan of a banging playlist. Music is the key to a good day!

Follow us at: @bake_leeds to hear all our updates

Location:
Lockside
Mustard Wharf
Wharf Approach
Leeds LS1 4EY