There are plenty of great foodie gift ideas to be sourced in Surrey, says Catherine Whyte
Brilliant Bubbly
Albury Vineyard has once again teamed up with neighbour Silent Pool Distillers to produce another batch of its very own brandy, The Duke’s Reserve. In this gorgeous gift set (above), the spirit is partnered with the vineyard’s award-winning Albury Estate Classic Cuvée and a bag of artisan chocolates handmade by Ewhurst company Kokoh. The gift box costs £82.50 and comes with a free tour and tasting voucher worth £15 if ordered before Christmas.
Recipe for success
The Clink is a hugely successful charity spearheading an innovative approach to rehabilitation through cooking: its four restaurants – including HMP High Down near Banstead – are all staffed by prisoners training for their City & Guilds NVQs. The charity’s second cookbook has just hit the shelves and is packed with recipes created by trainees, celebrity ambassadors and head chefs.
Hardback available from Amazon, £14.99
TEAchers pet
This year, personalised gifts are still very much en vogue. I love this ‘Best Teacher Tea’ caddy from Bluebird Tea Co. There’s a range of brews to choose from – including nine special Christmas blends – and you can compose your own message, too.
Order from Richmond-based notonthehighstreet.com, £20
Bake off
Encourage your loved one to get kneading with a gift voucher from Bake With Jack. It can be spent at one of the regular classes held at Abinger Cookery School in Abinger Hammer, near Dorking, or put towards a class in one’s own home. Comes either as an e-voucher or in this nifty presentation set with dough scraper for an extra £4.95.
Tiger stripes
Pounce now to grab these sleek tiger-inspired mugs exclusively designed for Woking-based WWF-UK.
Go to: shop.wwf.org.uk, £12.50 each
Twelve days of Christmas
John Lewis has a fantastic selection of hampers to suit all tastes and budgets. This Twelve Days of Christmas hamper is full to the brim with all you will need for a rip-roaring feast, including two bottles of Jean Pernet Champagne, a Carved Angel Cranberry and White Chocolate Christmas Pudding and some luxury Christmas crackers.
Available from johnlewis.com, £500
Charity begins at home
After seeing I, Daniel Blake at the cinema recently, I’ve decided to do a ‘reverse Advent calendar’ this year with the kids. It’s a great idea: just grab a basket or cardboard box and place a non-perishable item in there each December day until Christmas Eve. Then donate the filled basket to your local food bank.
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