Is it OTT to say this is probably our favourite post of the year? From tasty stocking fillers to Christmas feast essentials we’ve pulled together some of our favourite festive foodstuffs of this year that any gluttonous foodie will relish finding under the tree this year.
Get yourself down to a Whole Foods Market and you’ll discover a festive spread beyond your wildest dreams. From the Fine Cheese Company Membrillo Quince (£3.99) and the Seggiano Baked Fig Ball (£6.99) we didn’t know we needed for our cheeseboards, to the Opies Black Cherries in Kirsch (£7.49, an essential for an Amaretto Sour…) and magical music tin of authentic German Lebkuchen from Wicklein (£15.99), they have something to satisfy every foodie. www.wholefoodsmarket.co.uk
No one compares to Tracklements when it comes to condiments, and the Festive Four Gift Pack (£14.15) of Sticky Fig Relish, Christmas Spice Chutney, Cranberry, Port and Orange Sauce and Spiced Plum Chutney are sure to add a little something extra to this year's leftovers sandwich. www.tracklements.co.uk
You can’t go wrong with a hamper at Christmas and we’re all over the offering from independent cheese and wine gurus Mouse & Grape. With a wealth of options, we’re tickled by the Luxury Christmas Hamper (£150), including a champagne and vintage Port, paired with Saint Maure De Touraine, Napoleon, Truffle Brie and Colston Bassett Stilton or Keens Farmhouse Cheddar. Also included are charcoal sourdough crackers, cherry jam, honey and a limited-edition Mouse & Grape candle. Pre-order before December 15th for delivery on the 21st or 22nd. www.mouseandgrape.com
We’re going to be sending flapjacks by post to all and sundry this Christmas thanks to Flapjackery’s handy hampers. Gone are the boring, bland flapjacks of old and in their place come a wealth of fabulous flavours like Mince Pie, Chocolate Granola, Christmas Millionaires and Clotted Cream Fudge, thanks to the Devon bakery that can post nationwide. All gluten free and vegetarian friendly, we’re loving the Santa’s Favourite Flapjack Box (£12). www.flapjackery.co.uk
For budding chefs, Oma Kitchen is a new range of immersive cooking course, delivered to the door and encompassing four words cuisines; Korean, Malaysian, Mexican and north Indian. All specialist ingredients are provided, with a handpicked selection in every box, and courses are supported by online learning, accessed via a members’ area, with video tutorials from top chefs as well as in-depth information on what key ingredients contribute to each cuisine. Recipes and tutorials have been created by an impressive roster of well-known chefs, food writers and cooks, who are experts in their cuisine. £65-£70 at www.oma.kitchen
Nothing beats a steaming homemade pie for a winter warmer and Tala's ceramic Pie Bird is an essential for any piemaker. In its own cute little tin for handy storage, this clever little device will allow steam to escape without ruining your pastry. It's also a pretty nifty size for a stocking filler. £9.49, available from www.thelittlecookshop.co.uk
Beer lovers will rejoice at the hampers on offer from Devon’s Salcombe Brewery, a unique set up with its own borehole supplying crisp Devonian water to its master brewers. Its ‘Pub in a Box’ Heritage Hamper (£19.99) includes four of its bestselling beers - Devon Amber, Shingle Bay, Seahorse and Lifesaver - along with two branded glasses, bar towels, beer mats and nibbles courtesy of Mr Filbert’s including nuts and salami. Just the ticket for accompanying the Boxing Day football. www.salcombebrewery.com
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Panettone, and nowhere does it better than Carluccio’s. We are so in love with the Panettone al Cioccolato (£22.95), with milk and dark chocolate pieces instead of the classic candied peel, iced with a hazelnut glaze. Deeply decadent and oh so delicious. www.carluccios.com
No festive cheeseboard is complete without a good cheddar and Cornish creamery Davidstow really does make the pick of the bunch. Its Ingot Trio Box (£20 from www.davidstowcheddar.co.uk) comprises three banging cheddars from its award-winning dairy, aged 20, 40 and a delicious 60 months, a special reserve vintage cheddar prized by Michelin Star chefs for its intensity of flavour and long-lasting aftertaste. Made in Cornwall from 100% West Country milk these are three any cheeselover won't be able to resist.
The perfect Christmas party cake, Patisserie Valerie's Yule Log is a rich chocolate sponge, filled and coated with Swiss chocolate buttercream and decorated with sugar snowflakes, serves 14 (apparently…) and will undoubtedly be more popular than a traditional Christmas cake will ever be. £49.95. Order online for Christmas delivery at www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk
Give a taste of Scotland this Christmas with Bradfords Bakers La Diva hamper (£64.90), featuring two flavoured Arran cheese truckles, Granny Baxter’s Best Pickel, Bradfords Marmalade, Farmhouse Pate and a box of caramel chocolates, along with a bottle of wine, Baxters soup and some Stag Salt & Pepper Water Biscuits, all housed in a delightful wicker hamper. Delicious. www.bradfordsbakers.com
Realistically, we’re probably going to be ordering some of Crosstown’s Christmas offering for ourselves as well as for presents… The doughnut connoisseur have done it again with their limited edition festive flavours, including Black Forest Cake, Chestnut & Brown Butter and a delicious Pear & Ginger, with a ginger-spiked pear compote complete with vanilla and candied stem ginger crumble. Available in a box of six (£26.95) or 12 (£44.95), order online at www.crosstown.co.uk for delivery or pickup from one of its London locations.
Popcorn Shed’s Merry Christmas Popcorn Gift Tin (£25) has a star place on our shopping list. Packed with popcorn in three gourmet flavours - Chocolate, Caramel and Christmas Pudding - the cute keepsake tin is guaranteed to come out Christmas after Christmas. www.popcornshed.com
