There’s no doubt that Christmas is a favourite time of year for Suffolk’s foodies. Whether you’re looking to treat someone special to an edible gift or indulge yourself and your family at the table, our county offers a wide choice of tempting seasonal food and drink. Here, some of our local producers look at the products which will be in demand this year.
Founded in 2015, Grandpa’s Cakes is based in Glemsford, and has evolved from a small café to a thriving bakery known for its fruit cakes and Christmas specialties. Todd Lewis, inspired by his father-in-law’s award-winning boiled fruit cake, turned this family recipe into a brand. Now located in Patches Yard, Grandpa’s Cakes offers not only traditional Christmas cakes but also bespoke wedding cakes.
Todd said the business really took off during lockdown, when interest in buying cakes online grew. Grandpa’s Cakes pride themselves on going back to basics and making authentic cakes, with no artificial colourings or preservatives. As Todd said: “Our cakes are all handmade using a wooden spoon and a bowl.” Cakes are sent via Royal Mail to addresses across the UK and even the Scottish islands and Channel Islands.
An unusual addition to the range is their Christmas Cake Fruitcake Mix, which comes in a choice of three flavours, rum, brandy or traditional. All you have to add is two eggs.
The choice of Christmas cakes on the website includes brandy-soaked and rum-soaked cakes. Todd said rum-soaked cakes are ideal for people who are looking for something slightly different. “Many Christmas cake recipes call for a splash of brandy, but have you considered rum? This rich spirit can add a deeper flavour profile to your cake.“ The Christmas cakes can be provided iced or plain, with gluten-free and vegan options available.
For more details, visit grandpascakes.co.uk
Suffolk-based cocktail company Edmunds was founded in Bury St Edmunds by brothers Tom and Paul Mayes. The brothers saw an opportunity to make bar-quality cocktails much easier to make and serve. Starting life in Tom’s kitchen, Edmunds has since perfected the art of the bottled cocktail, and now supplies many bars, hotels and restaurants, as well as online customers.
Edmunds is bringing some cheer with two festive-themed products launching for Christmas 2024. One is the White Christmas Cocktail, described as a rich, indulgent, creamy cocktail that's also vegan. It is made with Licor 43 Horchata (a vegan cream liqueur), Luxardo Amaretto, Sapling Vodka, Vanilla and Nutmeg, garnished with dried cranberries. Tom said: “We knew we wanted to create something quite luxurious, something that felt like a real treat. When you think of Christmas drinks you think Eggnog, or Baileys over ice. So we found this incredibly smooth vegan cream liqueur and just had to find a way to use it.”
• For more details, visit edmundscocktails.co.uk
Located in the countryside at Wherstead, just beneath the Orwell Bridge, farmer-run Suffolk Food Hall offers all kinds of local treats for your festive feast. The hall has everything from fresh meat at its award-winning butchery and seafood from the fishmonger to cheeses from the delicatessen and all the seasonal fruit and veg from the greengrocer.
If you’re looking for a Christmas hamper, the food hall offers festive and classic hampers, gift boxes and handy jute bags, filled with products from across the county. You can choose from delicious nibbles, bubbles and surprises, from teas, wine and chocolates to decadent biscuits, puddings, condiments and cheese. Despite a wide range catering for every taste and recipient, it is no surprise that ‘The Suffolk’ hamper is the most popular choice.
In addition to the pre-made selection, at the Food Hall you also have the option to personalise a hamper with your preferred items, and the team will wrap it with ribbons and bows. While some customers prefer wicker baskets, the Suffolk Food Hall suggests opting for an environmentally sustainable box or tray, to also get “more booty for your buck”.
Classic and Christmas hampers can be ordered online for shipping across the UK, and each year Suffolk Food Hall prepares thousands of hampers for larger orders and corporate clients, sending their special Suffolk produce across the country.
• For more details, visit suffolkfoodhall.co.uk
Independent retailer Wines of Interest in Ipswich has wines and advice to suit all budgets and tastes at Christmas. Co-owner Jonathan Williamson said: ‘In addition to our regular lines, seasonal wines also appear on a frequent basis so there’s always something new to try. We will be showcasing many of our wines at our annual pre-Christmas Tasting at Ipswich Town Football Club on November 21.’ Tickets for the wine tasting are available to buy in person from the shop or order online.
We asked Jonathan for a couple of Christmas suggestions that would be suitable as either a personal treat or as something special as a gift. ‘The two things we always sell more of at Christmas time are Champagne and Port,’ he said. ‘For Champagne, we have always championed the smaller producers who don’t have to subsidise a big marketing budget from the bottle price. Gremillet Blanc de Noirs is rich, elegant and well-priced at £40. The best Port I’ve tasted recently is Krohn’s 2006 Colheita. It’s a tawny port so keeps very well once opened. It's usually £36 but I expect to be able to run an offer price on this for Christmas while stocks last.’
Wines of Interest stocks over 350 lines and there are always mixed tasting six packs and special offers available. Their shop in Burlington Road is open from Wednesday to Friday, 10am-4pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm, and their range is also available via their website, with free local delivery. National deliveries are done by carrier.
• For more details, visit winesofinterest.co.uk
Based at Falkenham in East Suffolk, the Artisan Smokehouse was founded by husband and wife Tim and Gill Matthews in 2010. The company produces luxury hampers containing their smoked products and much more.
Tim and Gill said: “For a delightful Christmas gift, consider either our luxurious Boozy Christmas Hamper, brimming with festive food and drink, or our classic British Hamper showcasing the best of Britain. At the Artisan Smokehouse we use the finest quality products in our hampers and hand-produce all our award-winning smoked meats, salmon and cheese. “
Hampers range in price from £25 to £200, or you can create your own personalised hamper, to be delivered throughout mainland UK.
• For more details, visit artisansmokehouse.co.uk
Pump Street Chocolate was founded in November 2010 and has won a number of awards. Its bakery shop is in a 15th-century building in Orford, and its craft chocolate is made at Bentwaters Parks in Rendlesham. Pump Street’s Winter Collection range features new products and established favourites, enabling shoppers to make an ethical choice for this year’s Christmas chocolate, from dark chocolate Father Christmas figures to gift boxes.
Executive director Joanna Brennan said: “I’d recommend our Winter Gift Box for Christmas. It’s a curated selection of three festive bars to enjoy over the Christmas period. The gift box includes a special selection of the Gingerbread and Panettone bars, alongside Maple Pecan milk chocolate. These unique bakery series bars are made using the beloved baked goods from the bakery in Suffolk, combined with Pump Street’s single origin chocolate.“ The gift box costs £25.50 and each bar can be bought separately for £7.95.
Sourcing cocoa beans from estates and cooperatives that ferment and dry the beans at origin, Pump Street uses traditional methods and all-natural ingredients in Suffolk to create its craft chocolate. The packaging is all compostable or recyclable, balances the line between simplicity, sustainability and elegance, with limited-edition bars designed by artist Jesse Bevan Brown.
• For more details, visit pumpstreetchocolate.com
