Food and drink news

Christmas cheer at All Bar One...
I can highly recommend All Bar One's festive menu. I visited the Battersea branch where the charming Celine recommended flavourful hummus, spinach and artichoke dip with hot pitta bread, gorgeous meatballs, fishcakes, hoi sin duck quesadillas with dipping sauce and chipolatas wrapped with bacon with roasted organic beetroot and vegetables. Mince pies are another festive touch. A real highlight was the wonderful hot mulled cyder - a delicious alternative to mulled wine.

Chocs away!
Chocolates tend to be ten a penny at this time of year, and it certainly takes a lot to grab my attention: Artisan Chocolate Tapas from M&S (£9.99) did just that. The selection features cocoa-dusted liquid caramels, cocoa-dusted roasted almonds, dark chocolate almond croquants and dark chocolate coated orangettes. Stylishly presented, they’d make a great present, after-dinner chocs with coffee or a treat to yourself.

A Thai gift…
I have a passion for all things Thai, so was delighted to sample this wonderful Thai chefs’ crate from The Gluttonous Gardener (£52). You receive a wonderful wooden crate with straw and raffia, containing a flourishing large kaffir lime plant, Thai fish sauce, palm sugar, Thai basil seeds and chilli sauce. The company does a wide range of brilliant boxes and crates for garden and food lovers, including fig trees, vines, mulberry trees and rose bushes, complete with foodie treats: highly recommended. www.glut.co.uk

A treat for the senses
Forget any notion of dieting: family-run bakery Fudges’ gorgeous Stollen (£11.75), Christmas Cake (£14.99) and melt-in-the-mouth Mini Mince Pies (£4.50 for 12) are all divine and represent the very best of festive indulgence. Both the cake and stollen are moist and full of flavour as well as being generously packed with quality fruits, nuts and spices. They’re also stunningly presented in beautiful boxes, so would make perfect presents. All you need is a cup of tea – or glass of sherry - to go with them! From independent stores and delis; or visit www.fudges.co.uk

A chic sherry!
On the subject of sherry, I was highly impressed by award-winning Harveys Reserve - a new sherry that will appeal to younger drinkers as well as their parents! Rich and smooth, made from a blend of Finos, Amontillados, Olorosos and Pedro Ximenez then aged for 5-30 years it partners creamy desserts particularly well. If you’re feeling super-indulgent, try pouring some over good ice cream then scattering with flaked almonds or chopped walnuts for an instant pud: a revelation! £11.99 from Threshers and Wine Rack.

Christmas coffee
Those of us who love the mess-free nature of the Nespresso machine may occasionally yearn for some different flavours. Well, if so, try the new Christmas-inspired capsules (£2.90 for a sleeve of 10): caramel, crystallised ginger and mandarin, all added after the coffee has been roasted and ground. They certainly perk up that morning coffee and are the ideal way to make great coffee in minutes, without having to deal with grounds and filters. To buy them, phone 0800 442 442 or visit www.nespresso.com

Stars and spice
Flowers are lovely but some people might just prefer this star anise cone from M&S (£14.99), made from real star anise and cinnamon sticks. Not surprisingly, it smells gorgeous and would be a lovely addition to the Christmas table, or gift for the sort of man for whom anemones are anathema. There’s also a pretty star anise wreath for the more minimalist door…

Parmesan for the cheeseboard…
Just like Cheddar, brie and Stilton, genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano is a worthy addition to your Christmas cheeseboard. Aged for up to 30 months, its nutty flavour and crumbly texture makes it ideal with sweet wines, robust reds and fresh or dried fruit. Look out for the stamp of authenticity on the cheese, then give it a go – we’re sure you’ll be convinced! Visit http://international.parmigiano-reggiano.it/

Terrific turkey
Family-run Copas Turkeys supplies traditional white turkeys as well as free-range bronze and organic birds, all raised to 5-7 months old, rather than the industry standard of 2 months, for deeper flavour and succulence. Not cheap, from £70 for a whole bird, but well worth it. I tried one of the white turkeys out on my book group: all pronounced the breast meat juicy and flavourful, while the legs had a richer, gamey flavour, although they did tend to be on the small side (due to the breed) and need to be covered with foil to prevent them from drying out.

Enter our competition to win a Copas turkey and accompaniments

Chocolate pizza?
Pizza addicts – and chocolate fans – will love this 10 inch, Belgian chocolate, limited-edition pizza from The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Co, slices of chocolate blended with vanilla fudge with honeycomb balls, curls and flakes. The quality is superb and, judging by the speed at which my children demolished their slice, this won’t hang around for long! Allow 4 days for delivery in a stylish pizza box with red tissue paper and greetings card. Visit www.gourmetchocolatepizza.co.uk to order.

Finally, for those who have everything, two ideas for indulgence with a capital I. Greycoat Placements is offering you your very own Jeeves: butlers, chefs and PAs for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party from £100. Visit www.greycoatplacements.co.uk or phone 020 7233 9950. And those enduring the shopping crowds in London should treat themselves to a Christmas menu at St Pancras Grand, from £39.50, or you could feast on champagne and oysters. Visit www.stpancrasgrand.com. Go on, you know you want to…