Hereford's Leaven Pizza named best independent in the UK

Leaven Pizza, in Broad Street, picked up the coveted title at the Pasta and Italian Food Association (PAPA) Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London this week.

Leaven is a part of A Rule of Tum Hospitality, which also owns the Bookshop, The Burger Shop, The Yard, and Maneki Ramen.

The group of hit food spots in the city was founded by Dorian, Rupert and Edwin Kirk, a family from Hereford, in 2013.

A Rule of Tum opened the Burger Shop in Hereford 10 years ago, marking the beginning of its journey.

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The first venture started in 2013 with a series of suppers and Sunday Lunches at Dunkerton’s Farm in Pembridge, Herefordshire, with the money raised from these events allowing the brothers to kick-start the business.

Maneki was the most recent of the restaurants to launch, opening its doors in May.

The city centre restaurant has had a streak of success this past year. At the 2024 Italian Awards, Leaven was highly commended in the Best Pizzeria category for the second consecutive year, along with being a finalist in the Best Newcomer, Best Pizza, best, and Best Family-friendly restaurant categories.

 The hit pizza paradise serves a range of sourdough pizzas, ranging from a simple but classic Margherita to a gorgonzola and pickled pear pizza.