Not all Christmas hampers are created equally, and two of the finest selections we’ve discovered this year are from organic producers: Daylesford Organic in the UK and Fattoria La Vialla in Italy...
Not all Christmas hampers are created equally, and two of the finest selections we’ve discovered this year are from organic producers: Daylesford Organic in the UK and Fattoria La Vialla in Italy. Daylesford has been one of the UK’s leading producers of luxury organic products for over 25 years, and as well as their farm in Gloucester, they also have shops in Notting Hill, Pimlico and Selfridge’s Food Hall in London. Their hampers range in price from £60 - £250, or they’ll help you build your own with fresh products including their award-winning handmade cheddar, and preserves and specialty liquors. What makes Daylesford’s selection of desserts, sauces and festive drinks so special is their honest but inventive approach to traditional Christmas fare, such as their chocolate Christmas cake, which pairs well with their velvety brandy sauce; or the sharp lemon and ginger curd and flavourful wheat-free mince pies, to be enjoyed with sweet plum brandy liqueur. Daylesford’s in-store Christmas shop is also worth a visit, filled as it is with beautifully simple decorations, unique wrapping paper (our favourite is the pheasant feather motif) and organic toiletries.
"What makes Daylesford’s selection of desserts, sauces and festive drinks so special is their honest but inventive approach to traditional Christmas fare"
The other hampers at the top of our Christmas list are from Fattoria La Vialla, a biodynamic farm (organic and then some) in Italy which produces outstanding olive oil, wines, pecorino cheese, pasta, sauces and preserves. Ranging from £37 - £95, the hampers can be shipped worldwide and include everything from a vibrant Chianti Superiore, to orange olives, wildflower honey and caper pasta sauce. For every size of box and hamper, La Vialla’s speciality is rustic, traditional Tuscan flavours, made from the best possible ingredients. We recommend La Scatola delle Seccornie (the box of delights) or Il Cesto Grande (the big basket). Or you can put together your own gift package, and if you do, we suggest you include their delicious cheeses, olive oil, peperonata dip, Barriccato 2008 (award-winning red wine), and sparkling Pinot Nero; although you aren’t likely to go wrong with anything you choose. Delivery times can vary, but you’ll need to get their catalogue first or speak to them on the phone, so hurry to order in time for Christmas (it’s truly worth it). They also offer a year-round mail order service.
For a more lavish Christmas treat, the Mount Street Deli in Mayfair have dedicated hampers to their private members’ club affiliates, The Ivy (£175) and Annabel’s (£300). More traditional fare such as Christmas pudding and Paxton & Whitfield stilton jostle alongside foie gras, some of the nicest Sicilian green olives we’ve ever had, Mark’s Club St Emilion, and, for the Annabel’s Limited Edition hamper costing £3000, white Alba truffles and vintages including Philipponnat Grand Cru Clos des Goisses champagne 1999, and Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1995.
Other news: Anna M. R. Freeman has been named as the two Michelin star Pied à Terre’s second Artist in Restaurant. We recently visited the Charlotte Street favourite to speak with their first Artist in Restaurant, Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva, and Pied owner David Moore (who is one of the judges on Raymond Blanc's The Restaurant).
Text by Ananda Pellerin
Ananda Pellerin is a London-based writer and Neil Wissink is a visual artist also based in London. More from The Hunger here, and contact The Hunger here.
