category News

Join We’re building something exciting—and we’re looking for brilliant people to join us.

Emba is a new kind of venue. A gastrobar at Mustard Wharf, right by Granary Wharf, where we’re just as serious about the quality and creativity of our drinks as we are about the food and the food, although is simple to look at, we’re an award winning team and we are not holding back. And most importantly, a place where people genuinely love what they do.

We’re on the lookout for ambitious, passionate team members across the board—kitchen, bar, and front of house—who want to be part of something from the very beginning.

We’re not just after killer skills (though of course, we really need and want that too). We’re after people who care. People who get just as excited about what’s going on the plate as what’s in the glass. At amba, everyone is part of the full experience. Whether you work in the kitchen, front of house, or behind the bar, you’ll be representing all of it—the food, the drinks, the vibe, the vision. Expect an immersive environment where is doesn’t matter what your specialism is, you’ll get to love, be enthused and understand every aspect of what we’re about.

This is a place for people who want to keep learning, push themselves, and grow with a tight knit, new team. People who bring great energy, love a challenge, and want to work alongside others at the top of their game.

If that sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to chat to you. – come be a happy pig, come jump in the mud. 

Email us at ask@emba bar

When I started dreaming up emba, I knew it had to be more than just a place to eat and drink. I wanted it to feel like a home-from-home for the people who believe in what we’re doing. That’s where our Founder Memberships come in.

These aren’t just rewards—they’re invitations. A way of drawing our earliest supporters into the heart of the emba story, offering them a seat at the table (literally) and perks that go far beyond your usual loyalty scheme.

We’ve built our Founder Memberships to do three things:

• Offer incredible value
• Keep you close
• Say thank you, properly

From beer and wine drinkers to full on food lovers and even businesses looking to connect in a more meaningful way, there’s a Founder tier that fits. And every single one brings you closer to what we’re building—something independent, warm, proudly Yorkshire, and full of flavour.

At Emba, our Founder Memberships aren’t just about perks. They’re about connection—bringing you into the fold from the very beginning, with benefits that keep on giving. Here’s a closer look at each tier and why they’re such incredible value.

These are estimated values, we’re still working non the exact content of our menus and events, but I’m pretty confidents they’re there or there about:

Local

Regulars

Rellies

Dragons

---

Founder Membership – Locals (£125)

Our neighbours, our supporters, our early believers.

Estimated total value: £160+, and that’s before you even factor in the ongoing 10% discount.

Visit the Crowdfunder Campaign page

The Locals membership is for those who see Emba becoming their go-to spot—whether it’s for a quick bite, a catch-up over drinks, or just soaking in the good vibes. This one’s for the early supporters who want to be part of something from the ground up.

It’s more than just a reward—it’s a real relationship. A connection to what we’re building and a thank-you for helping us get there.

Here’s what you get:

• 10% off all visits – A little off every time you join us. Food, drinks, or both—it all adds up.

• 50% off food voucher – Perfect for exploring our full menu with someone special or for gifting

• A birthday meal on us – Your annual treat on us, celebrate your birthday Emba-style with a chef’s 3 course meal or get £45 off your bill, not to mention the joy of being spoiled.

• Founder events access – Summer BBQs, festive parties, and gatherings just for our original backers with drinks and small bites.

• Your name on our Founders Art Wall – A lasting tribute to your support at the very beginning.

It’s a simple way to be part of something new, exciting, and local—while getting great value in return.

With Locals, you’re not just backing a business—you’re becoming part of a community. You’ll be first to hear what’s new, you’ll know the faces behind the food, and we’ll know yours too.

---

Founder Membership: Regulars (£250)

You’re part of the furniture—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Estimated value: £530+ and that’s before you even factor in the ongoing 10% discount.

Visit the Crowdfunder Campaign page

If you already know you’ll be spending plenty of time at Emba—whether for weekday dinners, weekend drinks, or those spontaneous “shall we just go?” moments—Regulars is made for you.

This membership packs in real, year-round value while deepening your connection to everything we’re building. It’s for people who want to feel a part of it—not just as diners, but as supporters, early believers, and familiar faces we’ll always be happy to see.

Here’s what’s included:

• 10% off all visits – A little off every time you join us. Food, drinks, or both—it all adds up.

• 2 x 50% off food vouchers – Perfect for exploring our full menu with someone special or for gifting

• A birthday meal for two on us – Bring a guest and celebrate your birthday Emba-style with a chef’s 3 course meal or get £90 off your bill, not to mention the joy of being spoiled.

• 2 x Preview Dinner tickets – Hosted by Liz when the menu gets its seasonal refresh—Join her for an exclusive tasting when the menu changes including paired drinks.

• Founder event invites – Summer BBQs, festive parties, and gatherings just for our original backers with drinks and small bites.

• Your name on our Founders Art Wall – A permanent shout-out for being part of our beginning.

You’re getting amazing perks, but more than that—you’re helping lay the foundations for something new in Leeds. This is your invitation to come along for the ride and be part of the story.

---

Founder Membership: Rellies (£500)

Big believers. Long-term supporters. The Rellies are here for the ride.

Estimated value: £800+ and that’s before you even factor in the ongoing 10% discount.

Visit the Crowdfunder Campaign page

The Rellies membership is for our ride-or-die people—the ones who believe in what we’re creating and want to be woven into the Emba story from day one. Maybe you’re family (literally or in spirit), maybe you’re a mega fan of bold food and warm vibes, or maybe you just love the idea of being part of a new independent rising up in Leeds.

This tier brings it all—value, exclusivity, and a proper sense of belonging.

Here’s what’s included:

• 15% off all visits – A little off every time you join us. Food, drinks, or both—it all adds up.

• 4 x 50% off food vouchers – Perfect for exploring our full menu with someone special or for gifting with your favourite food-lovers.

• A birthday meal for two with Champagne – You and a guest get the VIP treatment—£90 towards your meal and a bottle of Champagne

• 2 x Preview Dinner tickets – Hosted by Liz when the menu gets its seasonal refresh—Join her for an exclusive tasting when the menu changes including paired drinks.

• Founder event invites for you and a guest – Summer BBQs, festive parties, and gatherings just for our original backers with drinks and small bites.

• Your name on our Founders Art Wall – A lasting thank-you that will live in the venue itself.

This is our biggest reward yet—and we’re not just talking numbers. You’ll have a real connection to the people, the food, and the future of Emba. We’ll know your name, raise a glass with you, and toast to the fact that you helped make this happen.

---

Founder Membership: Dragons £2500

(For business owners, community champions and corporate supporters)
Estimated Value: Over £3,500

Visit the Crowdfunder Campaign page

This one’s for the big-hearted businesses who see the value in supporting something real and local—while also making the most of it.

With our Dragon Membership, you’re not just backing a venue, you’re building your own bolt hole. A place for relaxed team catch-ups, important client lunches, or drinks that turn into ideas. Make Emba an extension of your office—just with better snacks and warmer vibes.

You’ll get:

• Monthly £100 Voucher – That’s £1,200 over the year to spend on lunches, after-work drinks or a team treat.

• 4 x Private Dining Room Bookings – Each with a light lunch for 15. Perfect for meetings that matter or celebrating the wins together.

• 10 x Founder Event Tickets – Summer BBQs, festive parties, and gatherings just for our original backers with drinks and small bites.

• 10% Off All Visits – Whether it’s a table for two or a table for twenty.

This isn’t just a corporate perk—it’s a chance to help shape a venue that puts people and flavour first. To show your team (and your city) that you invest in more than just the bottom line. You believe in backing bold ideas, community warmth and proper good food.

The format I’ve created ensures that great cooking and bold flavours show up in every kind of dish. If you opt for the tasting menu, you’ll get slightly more refined versions — but across the board, the focus is flavour and satisfaction. Presentation will be much simpler that what I’ve served before.

You can snack on wood-fired toasts topped with things like smoked bone marrow and garlic, beef tartare, or confit garlic butter (spread thick enough that you’ll see your teeth marks in it after a bite), topped with lemon zesty anchovies. There’s also warm shrimps in brown butter, crab rarebit, and my mum’s favourite: Fried Tomato Dip.

When it comes to the plates — small, large, and for sharing — expect dishes like kaffir crab soufflé, sticky lamb sweetbreads with wild garlic and smoked yogurt sauce, spatchcock chicken with garlic bread, chilli and mandarin sauce, lobster tail with chicken fat and tarragon butter, rack of lamb with red walnut pesto, and rib-eye steak served with your choice of sexy sauces.

Desserts are going to be fun. I’m bringing out all the favourites—but with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Sticky toffee doughnuts served with vanilla cream and koji caramel sauce, rhubarb cheesecake–knickerbocker, pistachio and dark chocolate bread and butter pudding with cherry molasses ice cream.

For full details of what we’re doing and how you can be rewarded for supporting our project Visit the Crowdfunder Campaign page

This past year has been one of the toughest of my career. Like so many others in hospitality, I’ve had to take a long, honest look at the road ahead. I asked myself: do I still want to do this? Do I have the energy to keep going in this industry that’s changed so much? And if I do, what would that look like?

After some serious soul-searching, I found my answer—I’m not done. I love what I do far too much to walk away now. I’m not ready to give up on my dream, and that’s why I’m creating emba.

emba is more than just a new venue—it’s a return to my roots and a leap forward at the same time. It’s a place where I can cook the food I truly love to eat, surrounded by a team I believe in and a community who values warm hospitality and appreciates and know high quality food and drinks when they see them.

This concept has been brewing in my heart for a while: a vibrant, relaxed gastrobar where great food full of bold flavours meet real warmth. It blends the comfort of a cosy pub, the energy of a bar, and the satisfaction of properly good cooking—served without any of the fuss or formality.

We have the perfect space, just four minutes from Leeds station, tucked beside Granary Wharf, directly on the canal side. Now, we just need a little help to make it everything it can be. We’re not building a restaurant from scratch, but the transformation still requires investment—especially to bring the heart of emba, the open kitchen and charcoal grill, to life. It’s a big ask, but it’s also a big dream—and if you can help us get there, I promise it’ll be worth it.

emba is the most personal project I’ve ever taken on, and your support would mean the world.

I’ve launched a Crowdfunding campaign and you’re the very first small group off people and telling about it.  To find out more about what we need the help for and how you can help if you can CLICK HERE