Pizza restaurant crowned UK's best independent

Leaven Pizza first started out as a pop-up restaurant at The Yard in Hereford

A restaurant that opened its doors during the Covid-19 lockdown has been named the UK's best independent pizza restaurant.

Leaven Pizza in Hereford, co-owned by Edwin Kirk, was honoured at the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association (PAPA) Awards in London on Monday.

Mr Kirk told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester winning gave them "credit and kudos" despite only being open for four years.

"It makes everyone realize that actually someone's checked what you're doing and it is good, which means other people are more likely to come," he said.

"When we tell people that we're good it's very different to winning an award where other people think you're good."

Leaven Pizza began during Covid-19 lockdown, when the team had a weekend pop-up restaurant at the Yard in Hereford, where they would hand make their dough and bake it in a donated pizza oven.

"We just felt that Hereford needed a restaurant for great pizza. There was no independent pizza in Hereford at the time really."

Their sourdough pizza grew in popularity and the restaurant moved to its permanent home on Broad Street.

"Even though we've moved, we've kept the same quality and use the same ingredients and we have an amazing team."

The PAPA Awards celebrates small independent restaurants and nationwide chains that specialise in Italian cuisine and produce.

Undercover judges went to the restaurant to have a slice of Leaven's pizza and observe the atmosphere before making their decision to crown them the best.

"Judges will often do a secret shop, look at what your customers are saying to make sure that people think you're a good place," Mr Kirk explained.