Every year we bring you the best food and drink to enjoy at Christmas. Next year we’ll be following on from our Food and Drink delivered guide in the middle of the year so you can enjoy scrumptious scran all year round! This year we’ve tried some incredible food and drink and still have more to try, as some isn’t delivered until the second week. Please keep popping back and we’ll make sure we update in time for you to receive your food delivery too. Many of these you can find in independent shops or at a good supermarket also.
We have tried and tested every single one, I know, it’s such a hard knock life for us, so you can be reassured you’re receiving the very best to tickle your tastebuds and tantalise your tummy. Some of these make great gifts too, especially the one at the top of our list. The top spot is usually reserved for those who impress the most and these are no different, we really did experience the wow factor on opening. Keep an eye on our TikTok for the creations we made. As soon as we’ve uploaded the latest concerts from James Marriot, The Last Dinner Party and Billie Eilish we’ll be sharing all of our Christmas reviews.
Remember, we’re not paid for these, we don’t charge to include brands, so you know we’re choosing these based on:
- Taste
- Customer service
- Appearance (of packaging and food)
- Ease of use
- Shelf Life (we don’t mind short dates, such as the Yamas halloumi as this is understandable with delicious fresh food but if it spoils before that date has been reached then we will knock a point off)
- Portion size (too many offer so much then deliver enough to feed the resident doormouse and not a scrap over. We like to feel indulged, especially at Christmas, and hope you do too).
- Value for money ( we understand the need for elevated prices for premium ingredients and higher prices for gourmet food crafted by incredibly experienced chefs, however, the price must reflect the quality. If it tastes like it’s from Lidl, looks like ingredients can be sourced from Aldi and leaves us wanting more we don’t understand why the price is so high).
- Delivery (recently I’ve had a little pet hate with food packaging. This is not the brand’s fault. It’s hard to keep chilled food cold but those who manufacture packaging must come up with a better idea or delivery couriers should have special refrigerated compartments in their vehicles. The cold gel gets on my nerves. It has to be emptied, (which is always a freezing, sticky endeavour) before the plastic can be recycled. It’s heavy if thrown straight into the bin and induces eco conscious guilt. The wool packaging is slightly better as it can be used as a dog blanket for a day! It’s still pretty bulky though and not fail safe).
I’ll stop rambling and get started with:
The Healthier Chocolate Company
These deserve our Top Product Award. usually when you receive a food creation kit the contents are basic at best. Maybe one mix and the rest you have to add yourself. This is not the case with the Healthier Chocolate Company. Their chocolate making kit includes different types of chocolate (so you have a choice), chocolate moulds, a tool for tempering the chocolate (which is very important for getting that crack and glazed shine), premium fruit flavouring, high quality raspberry flakes and much more. You can start creating with the kit alone confident you have everything you need to create masterpieces. The main problem with this product is, once you’re done, do you eat them yourself or give them away? I ate them! I also picked up some pistachio cream from Waitrose to make our very own Dubai style chocolate without the hefty price tag. It worked. Delicious. Top Product Award for them.
Baxters Festive Hamper
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Baxters filling the food cupboards with premium condiments, soups and spreads. You can always rely on Baxters to deliver on taste, texture and value for money. Their small Christmas hamper makes it easy this year to have all you need for Christmas lunch and the following Boxing Day Buffet. From Apple Sauce, Cranberry Jelly to Wild Game Soup there is something to elevate every festive meal. Presented perfectly this also makes a great gift for the host or hostess on Christmas Day.
Relax a little longerWe'd love your views on these
Walker’s Shortbread
Another brand it wouldn’t be Christmas without is Walkers. Every year they get better and better. How do you improve on the best buttery, crumbly, delectable shortbread? You add slightly spiced crystallised ginger and a sprinkling of all spice. They know their flavour combinations and they know their shortbread. Do not accept cheaper imitations, it will just depress you. Many profess to deliver creamy shortbread, only one follows through on that promise. You could eat a whole tin of Baxters and not need a drink to lubricate the mouth, yet others leave you feeling as if you need liquid and lots of it. With snowmen, stars and classic rounds there is shortbread to suit every member of the family, along with spiced and unspiced. Delicious.
Worldwide Snacks
Every year I fill the kids stockings with snacks from around the world. This is so they believe that Santa has picked up these snacks on his travels and stuffed them in their stockings for them to enjoy. I used to match them to the Santa tracker, using only snacks from where he’d been before landing in the UK. I also use special wrapping paper for the gifts, paper that says, “love from Santa”, rather than the paper I use for under the tree. One of my children is 25 now. I asked him if he noticed these things, he said he didn’t. It seems like such a shame however I had fun setting myself these tasks over the years!
Worldwide snacks would have made it a lot easier for me in previous years. Choosing snacks from any country with ease. We tried their Toast ’ems and loved the variety of flavours, especially the cookies and cream. They’re worth a look if you’re missing out on your favourite snacks from your home country (as our USA journalists do when they visit) or if, like me, you’re a sucker for stuffing stockings with worldwide snacks!
Haute Premium Food Hampers
Haute are known for their bespoke flower arrangements but they also offer festive hampers that allow you and your family to truly indulge. The hampers are filled with products you need to complete a Christmas Day or Boxing Day meal. Delicious food such as fruit cake slices, Christmas pudding, cheese crackers and hand baked crisps. All handy to have as nibbles or for when unexpected guests arrive. We were all a little disappointed in the value for money, and we’re not usually negative. The brands seemed a little obscure, not ones we’d heard of before, and the hamper seemed a little light on contents. However, if you’re looking for a ready made gift this will be very well received as everything tasted great and it’s presented neatly.
Prep Kitchen Meals
We’ve (when I say we, I mean those of us who review things, there are 10 of us in total and if you look at authors in the magazine you’ll see who the others are. Full disclosure: Four of them are animals) reviewed many ready meals from Charlie Bingham to Donald Russel (we’ll be reviewing FieldGood next week, alongside Hello Fresh). Some have disappointed, some, such as the Charlie Bingham chocolate fondant, have delighted. That’s why we’re never too excited to try but the game is changing. You’ll see, in your local farm shop and beyond that the bar has risen where ready meals are concerned and now you can feed the family nutritious, delicious meals in minutes. We’re excited and you should be too. There should no longer be shame in a ready meal dinner as now you can feed everyone without the pile of added salts and un natural additives and preservatives. Anyhow, I digress. Prep Kitchen deliver freezer meals that are low in carbs but HUGE on flavour. From their cottage pie with pumpkin mash to their sausage and mash, Korean chicken curry, every single meal is a delight, smells amazing while cooking and leaves you feeling healthy and satisfied. I was impressed, everyone loved them. Brilliant ready meals without the guilt.
Heinz Pigs in Blankets Beans
I was skeptical on trying the Heinz Pigs in Blankets beans as the label told me they were festively spiced. I didn’t need to worry. The spice is delicate and actually works. These are a fun addition to the food cupboard over the festive period and perfect for when you’re sick of turkey and just want beans on toast. Go get em!
Potion De V Vanilla Essence
Elevate your baking with the Pure Vanilla Essence from Potion De V. We tried their signature pure vanilla essence and loved the depth of sweetness it brought to every bake with just a little drop. It enhances any cake, pastry, pie, fruit loaf and is a must for making truffles, brownies, gingerbread men and Christmas cakes this year. Treat yourself and your kitchen too to a beautiful bottle of this vanilla essence that looks as good as it tastes. They also have a vanilla essence matured in bourbon that sounds divine but we haven’t tried it yet. As soon as we do I’ll update you.
Makan Malaysia Sauces
These sauces will transform your weekly cooking routine into a Malaysian feast with ease. We particularly loved the peanut sauce, delicious with chicken creating that sticky, salty, creamy texture that’s impossible to replicate with store cupboard ingredients. Makan Malaysia makes it simple to step away from the traditional and into a sun drenched kitchen of tasty possibilities. A must for any keen cook.
Divine Chocolate Coins
Divine chocolate have become the brand to choose when selecting chocolate coins to stuff stockings with at Christmas. From their large chocolate coins to their rainbow assortment you can rely on them to deliver a net of creamy, chocolaty goodness. It helps that they’re slave free, fair trade and sustainable too! It’s hard to remember who used to manufacture chocolate coins. Who was it? The coins we received in the eighties? Whoever it was I bet they didn’t taste as good as Divine chocolate.
Melitta Coffee Machine
There are so many coffee machines to choose from these days that it’s hard to know which to choose. Do you love iced coffee, like James Marriot’s Rodds coffee, frothy coffee like the Dolce Gusto creates or are you a traditionalist and just love great coffee that’s plain, simple, hot, black, fragrant water that gives you the pick me up you need while filling your nostrils with that sweet aroma? I’m the latter which is why I was super excited to hear about Melissa’s 60 year anniversary and their launch of the Look (r) Therm V coffee machine. Just like the coffee machines of old but with some small upgrades for ease of use, this won’t take up oodles of space on the counter top but will make coffee in a jiffy. What I particularly adore about this is the smell. My mum used to tell me to always start brewing a pot of coffee before guests arrive as that, along with the smell of baking bread or cinnamon sticks in the oven, make people feel at home and welcome. The all singing all dancing coffee machines that produce lattes, mochas and frappucinos don’t omit that fragrance, the Melitta does. Pair with some coffee we’ve reviewed over the years and you won’t be disappointed. This is one cool coffee machine. Available in black or white and with a double insulated jug, your coffee stays warmer for longer, (no I’m not being paid to say this, it’s true!) You can also choose from strong or weak coffee with the touch of a button now. It’s the coffee machine you know but with upgrades you love.
The Olive Oil Guy
This trio of olive oils is a must for any cook as the premium oils are made from the finest ingredients with a little twist. Our favourite uses green almonds to create a subtle, elevated flavour, making it ideal for salad dressings and dips. The perfect present for any foodie but also an essential to have in the run up to Christmas for cooking. Perfect for Boxing Day buffets, and we especially love it drizzled over tomatoes, a little salt, then dipping homemade bread into the juice that accumulates in the bottom. Try it, you will love it. Add some finely chopped basil and parsley too!
Keep checking back as we’ll be updating regularly and will bring you more delicious food and drink to enjoy in the run up to the big day!
