News and Features
Foodie Christmas Gifts What better gift for your loved ones, customers, staff or colleagues than glorious Somerset Food and Drink? We've come up with a few ideas for you, with more than one following our cider theme.
Diverse Hampers have taken some of the best flavours of Somerset and produced a range of gourmet 'Foodie Boxes', with such intriguing names as Trenchermans and Tribute, all brimming with local produce - they have even included the famous West country Cream Tea as a feature for one of the boxes. See details
Alan Stone's book that inspired us to devote this month's features to cider. A perfect gift that will surely lead to a year of discovery. See details
Traditional Sweets Parents or Grandparents will be taken back to their youth with the selection of traditional sweets from The Olde Sweet Shoppe in St Cuthbert Street, Wells. From sweet peanuts to aniseed balls, toffee bonbons and sherbert pips, they have something from every era. So traditional they don't sell online, what better excuse for a day out?
The Coolest Kitchen Kit, plus Artisan Treats Emporio La Strada in Frome have the most inspiring range we have seen this year, from the latest little must-have gadget from Alessi, to Pickled Christmas Cheer Chutney. See details
We recommended this 2 years ago, but it's so good it deserves another mention, not least because Julian Temperley who runs the company has just been presented with a special BBC Food and Farming award for the positive effect he has on the local economy, buying up and preserving Somerset orchards. Judge Sheila Dillon said "not only do they produce something which is the best of its kind but they have helped to preserve an entire region's tradition." Equally good to drink on a cold Winter's night or to cook one of Keith Floyd's favourite recipes (see our recipe section). See details
Many of the restaurants in our eating out guide offer gift vouchers. Particularly welcome for those who have stopped treating themselves because of the credit crunch. See details Steve Wilson, Landlord of The King's Head in Wells emailed to tell us "There is also a new scheme called "pub tokens". Just like any other gift voucher but you spend it in pubs instead of shops! You can buy the vouchers online and 1000s of pubs are registered to take them across the UK, from the biggest chains to the smallest independents. We are, of course, registered as well!, Sounds great, I'm adding pub tokens to my wish list, if you're reading this Mum!
Cider, cider and everything cider Sparkling Katy Rosé is the perfect alternative to champagne for Christmas and New Year. Thatchers cider shop has the full range of Thatchers ciders, plus gifts and merchandise from cider tankards and galsses to aprons and umbrellas. See details
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