Posted by Food and Drink Towers, Tuesday 23rd of November 2010 08:00:00 AM.
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The 2010 Christmas Gift Guide For Foodies

www.foodanddrinktowers.com Helen@foodanddrinktowers.co.uk

Introduction

food&drink towers is honoured to work with some amazing producers around the world, who regularly use our website (www.foodanddrinktowers.com) to get the media coverage their delicious products deserve.

In time for Christmas, we’ve compiled The 2010 Christmas Gift Guide For Foodies for the UK market, written by Helen Lewis, a food and drink journalist with 10 years experience and managing editor/founder of www.foodanddrinktowers.com. Helen has personally tasted and reviewed each product included in this Gift Guide and will happily vouch for them all.

We’ve included PR contact details, stockists and price details where possible, so if you’d like to write about any of these fantastic food and drink products, you should have enough information to get started. If not, please do get in touch. I’m happy to review other products – for other seasons – through 2011 too.

THE DEFINITIVE FOODIE GIFT GUIDE

For bookworms…

There are so many celeb chef books out there that you will be spoilt for choice if you decide to take the ‘educational’ route to gifting this year. However, we’ve cherry picked two of our favourites: The Good Food Guide: Recipes (Which?) and the stewed! cook book.

Both books are gorgeous to look at, but more importantly, will be difficult to put down on Christmas day. I’m a big fan of the stewed! products, which are the perfect, healthy, convenient meal options for busy people (and loved by toddlers and children too). This book guides you through one-pot ideas from around the world that offer convenient cooking from scratch.

(Media enquiries: Lisa Jones, dandelion PR, lisa@dandelionpr.co.uk. Published by Ebury Press, is £14.99 (hardback) and available at Waterstones, WH Smith and Amazon.com.)

The Good Food Guide is a truly beautiful book showcasing 60 of the UK’s most talented chefs and their destination restaurants including Gordon Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road and Sally Clarke’s Clarke’s. The recipes are deliberately elaborate and designed for dinner party show-offs – or dreamers! (Media enquiries: Nicole Gross, Which?, Nicole.Gross@which.co.uk. £25.00 (P&P free) on 01992822800 or at www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/shop and in ‘good bookshops’.)

For Granny…

I discovered Honeybuns while writing a feature for The Grocer a few years ago. I instantly fell in love with their cakes, brownies and flapjacks. All the products are wheat-free and many are also gluten-free and dairy-free. Based in Dorset, Honeybuns epitomises the perfect British brand (in my opinion), keeping close to its roots by opening the doors to The Bee Shack (café) and launching new products and holding on to firm favourite. There are various hamper tins available at www.honeybuns.co.uk but my favourite for Granny (not the cheapest option) would be the Honeybuns Christmas Hamper Tin - £34.99 – including an apron and three cakes: Heathcliffe Brownie, Almond Moon, Snowy Hills. (Media enquiries: Jane Holme, 01975562794, jane@ewancommunications.co.uk.)

For Grandpa…

All Grandads like a cuppa don’t they (when they’re not on the red wine that is!)? We’ve got a number of favourites here at food&drink towers but for this Christmas Gift Guide we’ve plumped for a terrific trio from Lahloo Tea: Smokey (£6 for 50g), Green Jasmine (£8 for 50g) and Snow Jewel (£10 for 25g). The Green Jasmine is a personal favourite and I love the peg packaging that is both functional and attractive. They’re available to buy online at www.lahlootea.co.uk or www.foodado.com. (Media enquiries: Kate Gover (founder), 01173155260, kate@lahlootea.co.uk.)

For the lady in your life…

Cheese and chocolate: most women adore both (not necessarily at the same time but it has been known). Online cheese shop, Pong Cheese (www.pongcheese.co.uk), is a genuine discovery for cheese lovers. They produce gift packs for various occasions including Christmas (and one for New Mums who have had to abstain from stinky cheeses for nine months (hint, hint!). The cheese is superior in quality, original and delicious. The Christmas gift box costs £49.95 (cheaper alternatives are available) and includes Westcombe Cheddar, Cropwell Bishop Stilton (my favourite Stilton of all time), Driftwood goat’s cheese, Swaledale Old Peculiar (semi-hard cheese with added beer) and Langres (looks a bit squidgy but tastes yummy). (Media enquiries: Jo.Gillow@btopenworld.com.)

Chocolate…hmmm…since becoming pregnant for the second time I’ve become obsessed with chocolates once more, so it’s been with huge delight that I’ve sampled a wide range of Christmas-inspired choccies for this feature. Demarquette’s Christmas Caramel Collection (£16) stands out as an indulgent and premium gift option for people who appreciate the finer things in life. The limited edition ‘Victorian-inspired’ collection includes Winter Berries, Orange & Clove and Roasted Cinnamon & Apple. The range is available at the Demarquette Boutique in Chelsea in London, online at www.demarquette.com and at Harvey Nichols Stores nationwide. (Media enquiries to Mr Kim Sauer, kim@demarquettechocolates.com, 285 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW10 9PZ, www.demarquette.com.)

For the uni student home for the holiday…

University is all about cheap booze and partying (I remember it…vaguely) but that doesn’t mean students have to be subjected to cheap litre-bottles of cider at Christmas time. Snow Leopard Vodka (www.snowleopardvodka.co.uk) is a gorgeous-looking product that oozes class and packs a tasty punch. Produced in Poland using spelt grains it also has a serious message to convey regarding endangered animals such as the snow leopard (15% of profits go to related charities). It retails at around £29.95 (70cl) and is available from stores including Harvey Nichols, Harrods, House of Fraser, Selfridges, and Waitrose. (Media enquiries: Jill.Inglis@whyteandmackay.com.)

For the foodie who loves being in the kitchen…

We’ve all heard of bread and ice cream machines but did you know you can get a yoghurt maker? Called EasiYo, it is a fun addition to the kitchen, which doesn’t take up lots of space (you keep it in the fridge), enabling you to create your own yoghurts from scratch. This is a great idea for dairy fans and will be a fun way to kill an hour or two on Boxing Day! The EasiYo System includes the EasiYo Yogurt Maker, jar, sachets of real yogurt base, fruit squirt toppings and a recipe book, so you can get started straight away! Having tried it, I was surprised at how quickly you can make the yoghurt, but you have to be patient and wait for your creation to refrigerate for eight hours before you can tuck in! (Media enquiries: Cheryl Dunbar, Velvet PR, Cheryl@velvetpr.co.uk, www.easiyo.com.)

For Dad…

A decent bottle of alcohol is always a good bet for the hard-working Dad who enjoys the finer things in life after a long day in the office (or golf course). Benromach 10 Years Old is available from whisky shops and spirits retail specialists worldwide, as well as selected bars and restaurants in the UK, with an RRP of £28.50 for a 70cl bottle and £11.50 for a 20cl bottle. (Media enquiries: kate.trussler@platformpr.co.uk.)

A more indulgent option would be to purchase a specially-selected case of 12 bottles of wine from Virgin Wines. Belmonte Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (£9.99) is a personal favourite, produced by a husband and wife team in New Zealand; it works with strong flavours such as seafood and curry, and also as a standalone drink to sip slowly. It is also Virgin Wine’s best-selling New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. You can order a pre-mixed case at www.virginwines.co.uk but it is fun – and more personal – to tailor your choices to your Dad’s personal preferences. Media enquiries: Louise.Truswell@virginwines.co.uk.

For Mum…

Mums deserve something sparkly for Christmas so if you can’t stretch to a diamond ring, Hix & Buck’s J & L Charlemagne Sparkling XO is a perfect alternative. It looks gorgeous, tastes gorgeous and is an ideal festive fizz. It is a delicious 99% sparkling Chardonnay with an unexpected twist of 1% XO Cognac. (Media enquiries: George Shaw, Avocado Media, 01892 750851, shaw.geo@googlemail.com. Purchase online from Hix & Buck, www.hixandbuck.com £11.99 with free delivery on six bottle case.)

For the love of your life...

For an elegant and luxurious festive gift, a bottle of Champagne Lanson Black Label NV (sold in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and Booker) will definitely impress (RRP £29). It’s also possible to get a copy of the pocket-size 52-page 'The Little Black Book of Champagne' free until the end of the year at www.lansonlittleblackbook.co.uk (RRP £5.99).

The perfect foodie hamper goodies…

We’ve handpicked a selection of goodies that would make up our perfect foodie hamper. Grab a cardboard box from the loft, line it with Christmas wrapping paper and pack with some of the delicious goodies we’ve selected, et voila, you have a tailor-made present for the foodie in your life. You’ll need to prep this just before you give it away as there is a mixture of chilled and ambient products involved.

Powters Sausages are, in all honestly, the finest sausages we’ve ever tasted at food&drink towers, so they had to make it into the hamper. Launched in Autumn 2010 by Newmarket-based butchers Powters (a family business that has been making sausages since 1881), the free-range premium selection includes Chipolata, Spicy Spanish, Real Ale, Cider & Sage and Newmarket. My personal favourite is Cider & Sage. The packaging is surprisingly elegant for this category. (Media enquiries: Zoe Scorer, zoe.scorer@war.uk.com. The Powters range is available online at www.powters.co.uk and at selected multiple and independent retailers around East Anglia, with recommended retail prices starting from £2.99 /400g pack.)

Copas is known for its turkeys but the Christmas dinner gift pack is a welcome addition to their portfolio and will be a welcome treat for the designated Christmas dinner chef! The little gift pack contains Copas Cranberry Sauce, Boxing Day Chutney, Sage & Onion Stuffing with Chestnuts and a pop-up cooking timer. Stockists can be found on www.copasturkeys.co.uk and the RRP is £10.75. (Media enquiries: Hannah Kamelmacher, hannah@storypr.co.uk, 02074347282.)

Anila’s has eight fantastic curry sauces, based on traditional Indian recipes, which have won 11 Great Taste Awards in total. Ranging from the mild to the incredibly spicy (and fabulously delicious) such as the Hot Methi Curry, they are easy to use and taste so much more authentic than the mainstream brands. They are available at www.anilassauces.com, John Lewis Oxford Street and John Lewis Bluewater, Harrods, plus hundreds of other outlets, including Wholefoods, Planet Organic, delis, health food stores, garden centres and gift shops. They are also sold at 28 farmers’ markets across the south of England, as listed on the website. The hot lime pickle is divine! Price from £3.50. (Media enquiries: Louise Duffield, Perfect 10 PR, 01158462953, louise@perfect10pr.co.uk.)

 Soup may not be the first foodie product that springs to mind for a hamper, but I had to nclude the Yorkshire Provender offerings, as they are simply delicious. The small food company, based in Ripon, is run by Belinda Williams. Most of ingredients are sourced locally and they are made from fresh, seasonal vegetables and herbs, all peeled and cut at the company's kitchens. The chilled winter range includes a tomato and red pepper soup with Wensleydale cheese, which was delectable as a pasta sauce, while the onion soup (with Hambledon ale and mustard) was a real treat with a huge chunk of buttered toast. Stockists include the major multiples plus the likes of Fortnums and Selfridges at an RRP of £2.29 for 600g. (Media enquiries: maud.davis@btinternet.com, 02083618024, www.yorkshireprovender.co.uk.)

The Anglesey Sea Salt Gift Pack will be a favourite with anyone who fancies themselves as a half-decent cook. The 5 x 10g gift pack includes the delicious celery sea salt, and retails at £7.95. It can be purchased at www.halenmon.com and in selected foodie retail outlets such as the Ludlow Food Centre and Fortnum & Mason (London). (Media enquiries: Chris Mitchell, chris@halenmon.com.)

All good hampers need good wine. We’ve selected Denbies Wine Estate Sparkling Greenfields Cuvee - recipient of the 2010 Good Housekeeping Magazine Good Food Award 'Best English Sparkling'. It’s a high-quality, English wine, produced by Surrey-based vineyard Denbies and available at Waitrose stores in the southeast of England and online via www.denbies.co.uk for £21.99. It is a delicious fizz that showcases the best of what England can produce at the top-end of the scale. (Media enquiries: Jeannette Simpson, 01306734651, jsimpson@denbiesvineyard.co.uk.)

Biddenden Vineyard’s Monks Delight is a trusted must-have for Christmas parties. It is a spiced, strong cider that is delicious served warm (just heat it up for a few minutes in a saucepan or microwave) and with plenty of nibbles. Biddenden Vineyard in Kent is my local vineyard and an incredibly welcoming place – they offer free tours (check their website for dates www.biddendenvineyards.com) and produce exceptionally high quality wine too. Monks Delight is available to purchase direct from the vineyard and its website at £4.31 per bottle. (Media enquiries: Vikki Wright, marketing@biddendenvineyards.co.uk, 01580291726.)

Black moth vodka will be the star of the hamper thanks to its sophisticated black packaging and original recipe formulation. Made with European Périgord truffles and presented in a sleek black bottle with intricate silver moth design, Black Moth is a gift that foodies and vodka connoisseurs alike will enjoy discovering in their hamper on Christmas morning. Black Moth Vodka is available to buy at Selfridges, Gerry’s Wine and Spirits Soho, The Whiskey Exchange and www.blackmothvodka.com (RRP £39.95). (Media enquiries: Charlotte.Brooks@launchgroup.co.uk.) 

As it is Christmas it only seems right that we throw some festive favourites into the hamper. Chocolate Craft, based in Hampshire, has created Christmas Pudding Truffles infused with Courvoisier VS Cognac. They are boozy, chocolatey and deliciously sweet truffles that would go delightfully with a cup of coffee on Christmas morning. The chocolate truffles are stocked in Harvey Nichols and other fine food stores nationally and are also available at http://www.chocolatecraft.co.uk/shop/category/24/Christmas_Truffles for £5.50. (Media enquiries to David Learmonth, david@chocolatecraft.co.uk, 01962732731.)

TRUfree mince pies have launched in time for Christmas to ensure people with gluten and wheat allergies/intolerances can have their pie and eat it this year. At 238 calories per pie, they are not the healthy option – they still taste indulgent and they are not lacking in flavour like some ‘alternatives’ available on the market in this sector. Available from Asda (£1.50), the pies are worth stocking up on for Christmas visitors. (Media enquiries: Lauren Wood at Beattie Communications on 01612164274 or email nutritionpoint@beattiegroup.com, www.trufree.co.uk.) 

Finally, in my humble opinion, you can’t have a hamper without cheese. The hands-down favourite is the Cropwell Bishop Traditional Blue Stilton. Prices for the Cropwell Bishop Traditional Blue Stilton start at £13.22 for a 200g ceramic jar. It’s available from Waitrose (pre-packed or deli counter), independent food stores and online at www.cropwellbishopstilton.co.uk). (Media enquiries: Linda Parkhouse, parkhousepr@aol.com, 01480896866.)

The best ready-made hamper for under £40!

Dickinson & Morris has been baking pork pies at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray since 1851. As the oldest pork pie bakery and the last remaining producer of authentic Melton Mowbray pork pies based in the town centre, it certainly knows a thing or two about pies. Presented in an insulated box, the Flavour of Melton hamper includes Extra Large Pork Pie (795g), Wedge Blue Stilton Cheese (454g), Melton Hunt Cake (907g), Apple Chutney (270g), Bottle Belvoir Elderflower Presse (250ml), Bottle Melton Red Beer (500ml) all for £36. Available to buy at www.porkpie.co.uk, more expensive variants packaged in gorgeous wicker baskets are also on offer. (Media enquiries: Geometry PR, Laura Medel / Magdalena Kobylinska, laura@geometrypr.co.uk / Magdalena@geometrypr.co.uk, 01179291900.)

 

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