People
This week we went to Leeds and met Louise, our Relationships and Events Manager at Fazenda Leeds, over coffee to ask her a few questions so you could get to know her a little better...
I joined the team at Fazenda Leeds in August 2021. I had previously been working for a local Gin company in their events team and wanted to progress my sales and marketing experience further while still working in the hospitality industry.
I love the buzz of working in fast-paced environments and as a huge extrovert I get so much energy from people, there are not many businesses that work more with people and are as busy than in the bar and restaurant scene. I was lucky enough to receive an interview and met the amazing team I now work with today. I was blown away by the training plan, support and personal development that came with working for Fazenda.
In my final interview with Tomás I asked him what was important to Fazenda - his answer was simply, to make people feel special. It was clear from my first few conversations that people are so important to Fazenda and I was so excited to be a part of this passionate team.
You can be the most organised Events Manager in the world but inevitably things can go terribly wrong! My biggest challenge is not completely loosing my head when a beautifully choreographed event which has been meticulously timed minute by minute dissolves before my very eyes due to matters out of my control! Just this morning I was running round Leeds City centre trying to find a hot water dispenser as ours decided to self combust 30 minutes before an event. You may have seen me power walking through Granary Wharf with two catering dispensers swinging aloft (thanks to the Hilton Team for lending them!)
Somehow we always mange to avert a crisis with our guests being none the wiser.
It is very satisfying when you see all your hard work coming together at some of the fantastic events we have hosted. But the one thing I find the most satisfying is the small things we can do for our guests to make there experience unique and memorable.
I have recently finished Susie Dents' - Word Perfect. Her book has a word for every day of the year and is so light and joyful to read.
For example, Janus is the two faced/sided Roman god for beginnings, doorways and transitions. He was regarded as a door keeper and it is where we get the word 'janitour' from. We also use his name to describe a word which has opposed meanings. These are known as Janus words. A few examples are Clip (to attach or to cut off) Screen (a device to view something or to obscure something) Left (to leave or to remain) and Dust (to remove dust or dust as residue)
If you see me please tell me any you have thought of or learnt about!
I was very lucky to have a fantastic teacher in school. I had been immediately lumped into the 'bottom' set for English as I have dyslexia however he encouraged me to sit the higher paper and offered me so much encouragement (I walked away with and A... something I had thought would be impossible). It might be such an insignificant thing in his career but it mattered to me.
My partner switches off plug sockets and it takes me a couple attempts to realise why my coffee machine, phone or TV is not switching on... Infuriating.
Our signature Picanha or cap of rump is my favourite. I always thought fillet was the best cut of steak but since joining Fazenda I have had a better education on fat = flavour. Serve this with a glass of our Catena Paraje Altamira Malbec and I am a happy lady.
Our new Destacados giant flame-grilled prawns are one of my favourites off the new menu but I would be happy with anyone of them as they are all spectacular!
Make sure you say hi to Louise if you see her on your next visit to Fazenda Leeds, Fazendeiros. Thank you for reading!
Please read all reservation terms stated on this page. By making a reservation with us you agree to our terms.
Online Reservations
Tables of up to 10 guests can be booked straight from our website (9 for Fazenda Birmingham and Edinburgh).
For larger tables please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and our Reception Teams will be happy to help with your enquiry.
After making your reservation you'll receive a confirmation email. Should you not see this in your inbox after a few minutes please check your spam/junk folders. Do let us know if you have not received it and we'll be happy to help.
Dress Code
Our dress code is “elegant smart casual”. We do not require gentlemen to wear jacket and tie, however, we do not permit sportswear (gym wear) or beachwear.
Children
We welcome children of all ages and believe we provide a great atmosphere for families to enjoy the restaurant experience. In the evening if guests wish to make a reservation with children under the age of 8 please do so for no later than 6pm (reservation durations vary depending on the number of guests so please note the reservation cannot go beyond 8pm). When making a reservation please count children in the total number of guests and let us know if you need a high chair or space for a pram/pushchair.
Please note: We politely request that children are always supervised and remain seated at the table to allow our teams and other guests to move around the restaurant safely and maintain physical distance.
Lastly, please note that children under 16 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult to dine.
Cancellations & Deposits
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.
If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Halal Selection
Halal reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Allergens
The team at Fazenda take food safety very seriously and particularly so when it concerns allergens in food. On our website you can view allergen information on our Menu page. When visiting us you'll have access to it via our menus and also on our Market Table.
Smoking
In line with legislation passed in 2007 Fazenda is a no-smoking restaurant. We do not allow e-cigarettes inside either.
Pets & Guide Dogs
Animals are not accepted unless assisting guests with additional needs.
Photography
Guests are allowed to take photos and videos for personal use inside the private dining room, gardens and on the terrace. At the moment we are not able to accommodate any photography requests for professional or educational purposes until further notice.
**What are your opening days and times? **
To view each restaurant opening times please click on Locations and choose your local Fazenda.
Are you accepting walk-ins?
We are now accepting walk-ins once again.
How can I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation via our website or by contacting your local Fazenda by clicking on Locations.
Do I need to pay a deposit for my reservation?
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.
If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Can I have drinks at the bar?
Absolutely, and reservations are not needed in advance for our bar areas.
Are Christmas reservations available?
They are indeed, via our reservations page.