For many, the festive shop starts with the main event: the turkey (or nut roast!) and our local butchers and farm shops really come into their own. Speaking to them directly means you get the right size bird or joint, expert cooking tips and quality you won’t find mass-produced. Whether it’s a turkey from Timway or Downlands Estate or a beef joint from Gambledown Farm, ordering ahead ensures you get exactly what you need without the last-minute rush.
Cobbs Farm Shop feast (Image: Hampshire Fare)
If you want to make life a little easier, Cobbs Farm Shop has launched an online ordering service covering free-range turkeys, grass-fed beef, cheeses, deli favourites and homemade sides. You simply order ahead and collect between 22 and 24 December. If you prefer the traditional way, you can still drop in and speak to the team in person.
When Christmas morning arrives, why not try a Hampshire twist on the classic Champagne and smoked salmon? ChalkStream® Trout and Candover Brook English Sparkling Wine make a lovely combination – light, fresh and completely rooted in our chalk stream landscapes. ChalkStream’s slow-grown trout comes from the pure waters of the Test and Itchen, while Candover Brook’s vineyard takes its name from the chalk stream that runs through the valley. Together, they offer a truly local start to the day.
No Christmas dinner would be complete without roast potatoes. Giles Babb, Head Chef at The Blue Bell Inn in Emsworth, suggests goose fat for richness or Hampshire rapeseed oil for a lighter option. Parboil, drain well and let them steam-dry – even overnight in the fridge. The drier the potato, the crispier the finish.
Navidad Sky from River Coffee (Image: Hampshire Fare)
Around the big meals, it’s the small touches that make December feel festive. New Forest Shortbread has two seasonal flavours: cinnamon and ginger, ideal for gifting or enjoying with a hot drink. River Coffee’s Navidad Sky seasonal roast brings notes of baked apple and nutty sweetness, perfect for slow winter mornings.
Honey Bee Happy’s flavoured honeys – cinnamon, ginger, chilli and orange – are great for glazing vegetables or adding a gentle festive lift to baked brie or ham. They’re simple, versatile and full of winter warmth.
Hampshire honey from Honey Bee Happy (Image: Hampshire Fare)
And for those who like something a little indulgent with their morning brew, the team at Butter Bike have outdone themselves this year. Their limited edition Sage & Onion Stuffing Peanut Butter is every bit as bold as it sounds – delicious in cheese twists, brilliant in a Boxing Day sandwich, and dangerously good straight from the jar. Mozzo is also celebrating the season with a festive collection featuring coffees from inspirational female-focused producers in Brazil and the DRC, alongside its Festive Spirit blend. They’re rich, comforting and ideal for gifting or Christmas Day coffees.
And finally, no Hampshire Christmas is complete without a cheese board. Lyburn and Book & Bucket both shine at this time of year, and a drizzle of Two&One’s olive oils certainly enhances the flavours. Their Verde and Negra harvest oils add elegance to even the simplest spread.
Wherever you shop and however you celebrate, a Hampshire Christmas is always richer when it’s filled with local flavour, local stories and the people who make it all possible.
I’ll be back on December 20 with my guide to the best seasonal tipples and a few local cocktails to see you through to the New Year!
Dining and Cooking