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23 December 2014

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

We would like to wish all our Artisan Food Trail members, partners, food lovers and friends a very Merry Christmas.

We're looking forward to the New Year
and what 2015 may bring.

10 December 2014

WIN a Gluten Free Cookie Mix or Get In The Mood® Coffee Gift Box in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
We've already told you about most of the prizes over the last few days and these are the final two in our haul…

Bake Your Own Gluten Free Plain Cookie Mix from Harnell Cottage Bakes

Owner, Jenny was diagnosed as gluten intolerant herself over 10 years ago and has made it her quest to offer a tasty gluten free alternative, not a second best.
This would make a perfect treat for yourself or a great fun gift to get kids baking.
All the dry ingredients to make a batch of 12 medium cookies.
They can be made dairy free by substituting the butter for a dairy free alternative. This makes a great base mix for adding your own flavours.

Find out more about Harnell Cottage Bakes on their website here




Get In The Mood® Ultimate Gift Box from The House of Coffee

Go on a fantastic journey with delicious fresh coffee.
This original gift contains five stunning blends of coffee with character which will match a range of moods.
All the 227g bags of coffee are pre-ground and will arrive in a special Get in the Mood® recyclable cardboard suitcases filled with protective coloured shredding.

Partied Out Panda® who will help you wake up gently, is a delightful, blend for a smooth coffee with low acidity and a medium body.

Hectic Hamster® who will help you keep your buzz on, is a light original blend for a crisp coffee with slight fruity, citrus tones.

Intrepid Baboon® who will help you start an adventure, is a wonderful blend for a rich and full flavour. This dark Italian roast makes a great crema and has a delightful aroma.

Brilliant Raccoon® who will help you reach your goals, is an impactful caffeine rich blend to give you a pure boost.

Fancy Cat® who will help you indulge in style, is a meticulously prepared blend for a rich, velvety smooth coffee for a sophisticated drinking experience. Good body with chocolaty tones.

Find out more about The House of Coffee on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.

9 December 2014

WIN a Gluten Free Christmas Cake, Gourmet Fudge Treats or a Fruit & Veg Workshop in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the eighth three…

Gluten Free Christmas Cake from Monkeypoodle Cake Company

A six inch moist and boozy cake, this is the Monkeypoodle take on the traditional Christmas cake.





Packed with juicy figs and the aroma of fresh oranges and spices. It is completely gluten free as Monkeypoodle believe everyone should be able to have their cake and eat it.

Find out more about Monkeypoodle Cake Company on their website here



Classic Gourmet Miniature Fudge Treats from Fudge Kitchen

This would make a lovely gift or you could just keep them to yourself!
Fudge Kitchen hand make all their fudge in small batches making these little treats quite special, ideal for brightening up the dinner table or popped inside your homemade crackers.
Each gourmet butter fudge treat is colourfully twist wrapped and each box contains six each of two Classic Flavours – Sea Salted Caramel and Classic Chocolate.

Find out more about Fudge Kitchen on their website here



What Fruit & Vegetables to Plant in Spring Workshop from Roots Shoots & Leaves

Roots Shoots & Leaves offers a range gardening courses, rural skills and craft courses in south Hampshire.
All courses are run from their very own home and garden.
Roots Shoots & Leaves show you how and what to grow in easy steps and hands-on applications with sowing seeds, preparing the soil and maintenance.



Find out more about this Roots Shoots & Leaves workshop on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.


8 December 2014

WIN Oak Smoked Rapeseed Oil, A Set of Six Condiments or a Sauce Gift Pack in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the seventh three…

Bottle of Oak Smoked Rapeseed Oil from 

Yare Valley Oils

In the Yare Valley, nestled beside the Norfolk broads the Mack family have been working the fertile land from their farm for over 100 years.
Their rapeseed is grown, harvested, pressed and bottled on site by mechanical means and twice filtered, which retains the natural health properties of this incredibly versatile British oil.
You could win a bottle of their award winning Oak Smoked Oil. This deliciously creamy and smokey flavour is produced using oak chips from their farm which are dried and smouldered to produce a mild infusion into their cold pressed rapeseed oil. Perfect for adding flavour to your salads as well as frying, roasting or simply dipping.

Find out more about Yare Valley Oils on their website here



A Selection of Six Popular Condiments from Trotter's Independent Condiments

Trotter's Independent Condiments began back in 2009 when Byam Trotter was inspired to create his own Mostarda – the condiment that his parents fell in love with on a visit to Italy.
Now making a variety of condiments and preserves in Scotland from mustard to marmalade and pickles to pepper jellies, the range has grown to include something for everyone.
Trotter's Independent Condiments have given four of their six selected range collections, so you have even more of a chance to win.



The Sauce Collection Gift Pack from Bite Me Spices

Bite Me Spices started as a business creating a series of freshly ground and hand blended spice mixes. Using their skills and knowledge of creating exciting spicy flavour combinations, Bite Me Spices now make sauces too which can be used as a condiment or marinade.
A great gift for any chilli or spice lover. This collection contains a bottle each of Chipotle & Orange Sauce ('ChaOS'), Popped Cherry BBQ Sauce and Jerk Sauce.

There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.


7 December 2014

WIN a Gluten Free Bread Mix, Nuts & Tasty Seeds Goodie Bag or How to Grow a Flower Garden Workshop in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the sixth three…

Bake Your Own Gluten Free Bread Mix from Harnell Cottage Bakes

Owner, Jenny was diagnosed as gluten intolerant herself over 10 years ago and has made it her quest to offer a tasty gluten free alternative, not a second best. This would make a perfect treat for yourself or a great fun gift to get kids baking.
A lovely soft sandwich loaf. All the instructions for making the bread are in the packet, but all you have to add is eggs, milk oil, vinegar and butter. Alternatively substitute the butter and milk for non-dairy alternatives.

Find out more about Harnell Cottage Bakes on their website here



A Goodie Bag of Nuts & Tasty Seeds from Filbert's Fine Foods

Mr Filbert's handmade snacks contain all completely natural ingredients and taste fantastic. Try their nuts and seeds as a nibble with drinks or scatter into salads.
You could win a cotton shopper bag filled with three kinds of nuts; Peruvian Pink Peppercorn Cashews & Peanuts, Mexican Sweet Chilli Mixed Nuts and Italian Herb Peanuts & Hazelnuts.
Two bags of their new Tasty Seeds: Herb Roasted and Honey & Coconut.
And last but not least a 500ml bottle of Rapeseed Oil with which to make the best roast spuds at Christmas!

Find out more about Filbert's Fine Foods on their website here



How to Grow a Flower Garden Workshop from Roots Shoots Leaves

Roots Shoots & Leaves offers a range gardening courses, rural skills and craft courses in south Hampshire.All courses are run from their very own home and garden.
Learn how to grow a flower garden and even if you are not a beginner, you can gain a lot as herbs and foliage are incorporated from the wider garden. Creating a flower garden to grow and pick your own flower display is THE way to have flowers nearly all year round. You'll also be shown you which edible flowers you can grow for your cooking. 
How to prepare your plot and how to grow in pots too, from choosing what to grow and planting seeds, to on-going maintenance and when to harvest. Tips on keeping flowers longer and how to use other elements from the garden to make beautiful bouquets and wreaths throughout the year.

Find out more about this Roots Shoots & Leaves workshop on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.


6 December 2014

WIN Venison Charcuterie, a Hedgerow Basket Making Workshop or Ancient Greek Vinaigre in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the fifth three…

Charcuterie Gift Bag from 

Great Glen Charcuterie

Jan Jacob and Anja Baak produce some exceptional cured and smoked venison products which make great hors d'oeuvres/anti pasti and can also be used in cooking to add something special to the dishes you prepare.
You could win lovely a jute bag filled with wild venison charcuterie from Scotland; Venison Bresaola, Venison Chorizo and Venison Chilli Chorizo. To complete the gift, a wooden serving platter with deer leather handle is included – something to impress your guests throughout the festive celebrations – plus there are some recipe cards for kitchen inspiration.

Find out more about Great Glen Charcuterie on their website here



Hedgerow Basket Making Workshop from 

Roots Shoots & Leaves

Roots Shoots & Leaves offers a range gardening courses, rural skills and craft courses in south Hampshire.
All courses are run from their very own home and garden.
This colourful hedgerow willow basket workshop uses all that the garden offers in the extensive Roots Shoots and Leaves garden. Led by basket maker and willow artist Judith Needham, this will be an exciting day of foraging and making.
In this fun class you will make a round-bottomed basket with a flat base using the stake and strand technique using willow. This might be a shallow fruit basket or a waste paper basket or a small shopping basket with a handle.

Find out more about this Roots Shoots & Leaves workshop on their website here



Ancient Greek Vinaigre from 

Alan Coxon

As part of his historic food range chef, Alan Coxon has created this vinegar which is inspired by the cuisine of ancient Greece. Made with using the finest wine and a combination of herbs and honey, it is light and fruity and can be used in a variety of dishes.

Find out more about Alan Coxon on his website here and his products here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed



Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.



5 December 2014

WIN a Herb Garden Workshop, Chocolate Powders or Food Safety eLearning Course in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the fourth three…

Designing a Herb Garden for Health, Beauty & Cooking Workshop from Roots Shoots Leaves

Roots Shoots & Leaves offers a range gardening courses, rural skills and craft courses in south Hampshire.


All courses are run from their very own home and garden.
A day that will test your five senses: from tasting, to identifying, eating, smelling and handling a great variety of herbs, showing you how to design, plan, sow and plant your own herb garden.
Whether you are interested in herbs for your kitchen or for your health or beauty, their will be recipes to demonstrate how easy it is to make herbal teas and beauty potions with your own herbs. Their will be easy to make recipes for everyday cooking.

Find out more about this Roots Shoots & Leaves workshop on their website here


West African, Ecuador and White Couverture Chocolate Powders from Mortimer Chocolate Company

Husband and wife team, Adrian and Felicity Smith set up the Mortimer Chocolate Company in 2006.
Using Adrian’s expertise as a Mars-trained cocoa taster, they produce fantastic tasting chocolate powders.
All chocolate powders are free from gluten, dairy, soya, nuts and palm oil and are suitable for a variety of uses including making into a hot drink, baking and confectionery.

Find out more about Mortimer Chocolate Company on their website here



Win 1 of 8 Licences for CIEH eLearning Level 1 or 2 Food Safety from The Red Cat Partnership

The Red Cat Partnership are made up of a team of people that are are highly skilled and experienced Food (& health and safety) consultants – that are all from an Environmental Health background.
They are offering these eLearning courses to eight lucky entrants and the courses can be undertaken anywhere and are designed for anyone working in a business where food is prepared, cooked or handled to introduce them to food safety.

Find out more about The Red Cat Partnership on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.

4 December 2014

WIN a Gluten Free Christmas Pudding, Posh Pop or The Hedgerow Cookbook in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the third three…

Gluten Free Christmas Pudding from Monkeypoodle Cake Company

This half pound traditional fruit and spice pudding is totally gluten free as Monkeypoodle believe everyone should be able to have their cake and eat it.


It would be the amazing centrepiece on the Christmas table when set aflame with a spoonful of warmed brandy.

Find out more about Monkeypoodle Cake Company on their website here



12 Bottles of Award Winning Posh Pop from Breckland Orchard

A case load of fabulous sparkling soft drinks made with passion in traditional and contemporary flavours. If you don't drink alcohol they are just perfect and if you do, then why not try them as a mixer or in a cocktail.

Find out more about Breckland Orchard on their website here



The Hedgerow Cookbook from Wild at Heart

Harvesting your own produce from the countryside is a pleasure available to everyone. There is real joy in turning nature’s bounty into delicious foods to enjoy with the family or to make into a lovely gift.

This book will inspire you to use your ‘harvest’ in lots of different ways.
It covers a range of easy-to-find (and identify) wild things which are really good to eat.

Wild at Heart are experts when it comes to turning the wild harvest into delicious preserves, try their Hedgerow Mincemeat (with crab apples and elderberries) – magical in mince pies, obviously
Medlar and Crab Apple Jellies – terrific with turkey, stonking with Stilton
Pickled Samphire – smashing with smoked salmon
Wild Plum and Spicy Medlar Chutneys – fantastic companions to cold cuts

Find out more about Wild at Heart on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.

3 December 2014

WIN a Gluten Free Brownie Mix, Coffee Hamper or Chilli Growing Workshop in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we feature the second three…

Bake Your Own Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Mix from Harnell Cottage Bakes

Owner, Jenny was diagnosed as gluten intolerant herself over 10 years ago and has made it her quest to offer a tasty gluten free alternative, not a second best. This would make a perfect treat for yourself or a great fun gift to get kids baking.
The mix includes all the dry ingredients you need to make some tasty brownies. Just add eggs and butter (or dairy-free alternative). The chocolate supplied is both gluten and dairy free.

Find out more about Harnell Cottage Bakes on their website here



Coffee Christmas Hamper from The House of Coffee

The House of Coffee is a speciality coffee roaster and blender importing a wide selection of raw coffee beans from the finest grower-partners in over 20 sub-tropical countries, across four continents, to deliver freshly ground and whole bean coffee direct from their house to yours.
You could win this delightfully indulgent and unique gift for coffee lovers with three original coffee blends (medium, medium-strong and strong) in stylish packaging, hand-made chocolate, coffee syrups, sugar sticks and waffle biscuits. This Christmas Hamper would make an ideal present.

Find out more about The House of Coffee on their website here



How to Grow Chillies Workshop from Roots Shoots Leaves

Roots Shoots & Leaves offers a range gardening courses, rural skills and craft courses in south Hampshire.
All courses are run from their very own home and garden.
This is a fiery taste workshop! Learn how to grow and cook and eat chillies from around the world. You will be taught how to sow your chilli seeds and how to look after your plants as they grow. Learn which varieties to choose for a variety of uses in the kitchen from hot to sweet. You will also cook some recipes with chillies.
This is a hands-on day!

Find out more about this Roots Shoots & Leaves workshop on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.

2 December 2014

WIN a Turkey, Lino Cutting Workshop or Christmas Fudge in our Christmas competition

Make sure you take part in our spectacular 12 Days of Christmas competition as we have some fantastic prizes on offer, 37 in all.
Over the next few days we'll be telling you about the prizes you could win and today we start with the first three…

Free Range Norfolk Bronze Turkey from Morton's Traditional Taste

Weighing in at 6.5kg this turkey could be the star of your Christmas table.
Morton's produce award winning poultry on their farm in Norfolk and each and every bird is free to roam and lives a natural and happy life. The turkeys grow slowly ensuring they taste great making them the perfect choice for the festive celebrations.

Find out more about Morton's on their website here



Lino Cutting & Drypoint Workshop from 

Roots Shoots & Leaves

Roots Shoots & Leaves offers a range gardening courses, rural skills and craft courses in south Hampshire. All courses are run from their very own home and garden.
This course will include a full day of printmaking techniques to enjoy. Try out a range of different print techniques from linocuts to drypoint etchings. On the day you will be able to produce a series of mini prints using the above techniques.

Find out more about this Roots Shoots & Leaves workshop on their website here



Christmas Gourmet Miniature Fudge Treats from Fudge Kitchen

This would make a lovely gift or you could just keep them to yourself!
Fudge Kitchen hand make all their fudge in small batches making these little treats quite special, ideal for brightening up the dinner table or popped inside your homemade crackers.
Each gourmet butter fudge treat is colourfully twist wrapped and each box contains six each of two Christmas flavours – Mince Pie and Continental Gingerbread.

Find out more about Fudge Kitchen on their website here


There are many more prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas competition so why not head over to The Artisan Food Trail website and
This competition has now closed




Look out for further posts where we focus on the prizes you could win and remember the competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2014.

1 December 2014

Our 12 Days of Christmas Competition is here!

Now that it's finally December our latest newsletter has been flying into inboxes all over the UK (and beyond) announcing the launch of our 12 Days of Christmas competition.


This is by far the biggest yet with a cache of 37 prizes up for grabs!
Already, hundreds of entries have come in and we expect many more as there are so many wonderful things to be won.
As usual, the competition will run over a 12 day period and entrants can pick their favourites from the list and there'll be a chance of winning one of those selected.

We have a wide range of artisan and handmade food and drink items as well as workshops, books and of course the Christmas turkey.
So what are you waiting for? Head over to The Artisan Food Trail website, get entering and good luck!

This competition has now closed

Thanks to our members/producers for taking part and offering prizes making this such a spectacular competition:
Alan Coxon
Bite Me Spices
Breckland Orchard
Filbert's Fine Foods
The House of Coffee
Harnell Cottage Bakes
Monkeypoodle Cake Company
Mortimer Chocolate Company
Roots Shoots & Leaves
Trotter's Independent Condiments
Wild at Heart
Yare Valley Oils