I love this time of the year, when I can share with you some of the special Christmas foodie treats that are on offer in our local area. We need plenty of things to cheer us up when the weather gets cold, so here are some of my favourites!
I hope you have been to the beautiful Christmas market in the Vintry Garden, next to the Cathedral. In a stunning location, you can pop in to buy a cup of mulled wine, cider, winter Pimms or hot chocolate from Hatch.
I like that there are now tables tucked away in corners (two with an amazing view of the cathedral); it’s a fab place to stop during your Christmas shopping.
When I visited a few days ago, you could also buy toasties, roasted chestnuts, noodles, pulled pork and Bratwurst. Stalls were selling chocolate kisses, fudge, preserves and whisky, and I plan to buy stocking fillers from local company I Am Cocoa who make beautiful chocolate lollies and trees.
As you leave the Christmas market wander up Holywell Hill and pop into Rock Pop Candy, which has a fantastic advent calendar window display this year. You will be able to find lots of retro sweets (maybe for a grown-up stocking?), including imports such as Stateside chocolate, Hersheys, Reeses and Brachs.
If you are lucky, the Beer Shop on London Road might still have bottles of Farr Brewery ‘Brewdolph’ beer left. I bought three, and they were selling out! You can also visit the Farr Brewery shop on December 15-17, 21-23 from 11am-5pm.
Sopwell House is serving a really pretty afternoon tea this year until Saturday December 30 (not 24-25). It is £29.95 (with mulled wine £34.95 and Champagne £39.95).
Parker and Vine in Harpenden make delicious Christmas cakes and mince pies, and you can also buy preserves, pickles and chutneys; they sell them in small gift sets and hampers, or individually. I like the look of the Santa Special Rolla Granola, with pecans, walnuts and orange, which would make a lovely Christmas morning breakfast.
For your essential vegetables and fruits, the Charter Market in St Albans is on every day from Saturday December 16 until Christmas Eve. We also have the St Albans farmers’ market on Sunday December 10 and Harpenden farmers’ market on Sunday December 17, where all our regular favourites will be selling.
Carols till Closing is a great excuse to go to the pub and join in with some festive singing. Join Father Richard from St Saviours for carols at The Boot (December 13), The White Lion (14), The White Hart Tap (18) and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (19) all from 8pm.
Finally: I feel very fortunate to be able to eat delicious food all year round for my job. I am also very lucky to be able to share lovely food on Christmas Cay with my husband and two children, but not everyone else is so fortunate which is why I have donated to Crisis this year; they offer a Christmas meal to someone in need for £26.08.
If you are able to do the same please go to www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/reserve-a-place-at-crisis-at-christmas.
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