Stuzzi

Founded in 2014 by four English guys with an Italian obsession, Stuzzi delivers an authentic taste of Italy beyond the tourist traps. Jim Bob, Harvey, Tom and Brett met working at the Leeds institution Salvo’s in the late-2000s, where they fell in love with Italian cooking. A ‘Grand Tour’ of Italy followed with the team driving across the country meeting local producers, learning traditional cooking techniques and immersing themselves in Italy’s ‘stuzzicchini’ culture. On returning to Leeds, they hosted a series of sell out pop ups at venues including Belgrave Music Hall, before opening the doors to their first venue in Harrogate in 2014, followed by Merrion Street in Leeds in 2019. At Stuzzi, traditional recipes meet modern Italian cooking, creating a chaotic mix of treats from the world’s greatest food country. Carefully selected imported drinks, meats and cheeses sit alongside local produce sourced from Yorkshire’s farms, with all sweets and baked goods produced in house from imported Neapolitan flour and prepared using techniques passed to us by Italian friends and colleagues. Stuzzi’s obsession with all things Italian has evolved into the creation of their own line of products. Their Stuzzi Gin Per Negroni, which marries scillian orange, Italian bergamot and Yorkshire water, enables home bartenders to achieve the perfect serve. Other products including their N’duja ketchup, Napoli sauce, handmade pastas and crocante snacks are regular features at artisan markets across Yorkshire and are available via their webshop. Stuzzi has received critical acclaim within the independent food and drink industry, attracting visits from top chefs including Nadiya Hussain. The restaurant has also been repeatedly listed in The Good Food Guide and the Harden’s Guide, and has built up a loyal following across Yorkshire.