Couple seek Leeds venue for new food, folklore and nature experience
A couple who met under a Full Moon in Hebden Bridge, raised a young family off-grid in rural Scotland and recorded music from a solar-powered yurt are hoping to bring their latest project to Leeds.
Sherel and Dunc Moonfull are preparing to launch Songs of the Seeds, a touring experience that combines food, folklore, music and nature, while actively seeking an independent Leeds venue to host a future edition.
Designed around local landscapes and communities, the project pairs guided nature trails, original live music, storytelling and seasonal food with the aim of helping people experience a place through all five senses.
For Sherel and Dunc, Leeds represents one of the most exciting independent food cities in the UK.
The couple previously hosted one of their earliest natural winemaking workshops in the city and have long admired its independent restaurants, creative communities and growing interest in seasonal, locally sourced food.
At the heart of Songs of the Seeds is a collaboration between nature and the table. Working with independent restaurants and chefs, the couple pair local stories, seasonal ingredients and handcrafted preserves with thoughtfully curated menus inspired by place and season.
The Leeds event would form part of a wider ambition to take Songs of the Seeds to around 50 locations across the UK over the coming years, celebrating the unique food cultures, folklore and landscapes that shape different communities.
The couple hope Leeds will become one of the flagship locations on the tour.
Each gathering explores a different landscape and community, inviting guests to experience a place through all five senses.
Alongside a guided nature trail and live music performance, guests receive an illustrated field guide to sketch in before gathering around shared tables to enjoy a seasonal meal featuring sustainably foraged ingredients, handcrafted preserves and dishes created in collaboration with local chefs.
As a plant-based family, Sherel and Dunc are passionate about celebrating local food traditions while showcasing the abundance of seasonal ingredients available closer to home.
Over the past five years, Moonfull has worked with organisations including the RSPB, St Nicks and corporate clients such as Laing O'Rourke, while raising more than £3,000 for charities, community groups and environmental initiatives through its events.
"We've always loved Leeds and its independent food scene. It's where we held one of our first natural winemaking workshops," said Sherel.
"We're not trying to create another food event or nature walk. We're trying to create a new way for people to experience a place.
"There are so many exciting restaurants, producers and creative people doing things differently. We'd love to work with a Leeds venue to create a one-off experience that celebrates the city's food culture alongside its stories, landscapes and communities."
At a time when many people feel increasingly disconnected from the natural world, Songs of the Seeds offers an opportunity to slow down, share food, hear original music and local stories, connect with like-minded people and experience a place more deeply.
The couple believe Leeds is uniquely placed to host the experience, thanks to its thriving independent food scene, creative communities and growing interest in seasonal, locally sourced food.
They are now keen to hear from independent restaurants, cafés, venues, producers and community organisations interested in helping shape a future Leeds edition of Songs of the Seeds.
To find out more, suggest a venue or discuss a potential collaboration, contact [email protected] or visit www.moonfull.co.uk.