SUMMER may just be over – but it’s about to get very festive on the high street.
In just two weeks’ time, Christmas food orders will be launched while some of the tasty treats have already hit the shelves in Marks and Spencer.
And this year there are some absolute delights to look out for with 450 new products to try from double wrapped pigs in blankets to the most adorable chocolate house dessert.
Half of M&S customers admit they were already excited for Christmas back in July, and 43 per cent saying Christmas dinner is their favourite meal of the entire year.
From never-seen-before gifts like an enchanting light-up chocolate box with a whirling blizzard of snow, to a first-to-market WHITE mulled wine, and made-to-wow hot cheeses destined for viral success, there’s so much to get excited about.
We were invited down to London to sample some of the seasonal sensations on offer – and it was a proper treat.
Held in The Arcade Food Hall, in the capital’s Tottenham Court Road area, it was Christmas from the moment we walked through the doors with Mariah Carey blasting from the speakers, the scent of roasting turkey in the air and even snow – inside.
First up we got to try some of the party favourites. For me one of the best parts of Christmas is seeing what nibbles all the supermarkets have in store.
And Markies know how to throw a do. The party bits include Halloumi in Blankets served with what is promising to be the taste of Christmas 2024, Hot Honey.
These bacon-wrapped halloumi pieces are finished with a sweet and punchy drizzle and are absolutely addictive.
Meanwhile, there’s a couple of prep your own charcuterie centrepieces including a tree, dressed with salshichon, chorizo, gouda cheese and manzanilla and kalamata olives, and a ‘paint by numbers’ style board. Perfect for dazzling at parties.
For the main event, there’s some traditional fare – and some wild cards. As ever M&S turkey is mouth-watering.
This year the store a show-stopping Best Ever Slow-Cooked Turkey crown comes complete with legs stuffed with chestnut and pork and wrapped in dry-cured oak and applewood smoked bacon. It takes less than two hours to finish in the oven and comes with a pot of our Ultimate Meat Gravy.
But for us, the absolute star of the mains show was the wagyu beef. Served pink in the middle it was melt in the mouth – and may even tempt a turkey stalwart to shift to red meat this December.
For something completely different, there’s turkey lasagne. Yes, you heard that right.
Everyone was flocking to the Italian inspired main at the launch. It’s creamy and tasty – but a bit rich for my palate.
No Christmas dinner is complete without pigs in blankets and this year they’ve gone bling. Forget half a rasher per sausage, this year Markies’ pigs are DOUBLE wrapped making them a salty, savoury delight.
No one does pud quite like M&S and this year they have outdone themselves with taste and look. My favourite was the adorable Santa Popping Down the Chimney Dessert.
This gorgeous dessert for 10 is made using an exclusive roof shaped mould, filled with a dark and milk chocolate mousse and oozing butterscotch caramel sauce on a white chocolate and toasted popcorn crisp base. All topped with white chocolate mousse and the cutest edible decorations.
For mince pie fans there is more selection than ever, that’s according to mince pie developer Sandy who proudly showed off the impressive selection.
As a Christmas nut I am embarrassed to admit I’m not a fan of the fruity tarts but my pal adored the slow gin option as well as the brandy butter topped pie.
For me, it was all about the chocolate Rudolph tarts – perfect for kids… and fusspots.
No festive feast is complete without a tipple and there’s plenty of options from wine pairings to cocktails.
And new for 2024 is a very unusual white muilled wine. This was a revelation. It has all the spice and warmth of a traditional gluhwein without the heavy red aftertaste. I predict this will be a massive hit this year.
M&S Food’s Director of Product Development, Kathryn Turner, says: “Forget Santa’s workshop – we all know the true magic of Christmas happens in the kitchen. And our chefs have been working for months behind the scenes to bring outstanding quality feasts from our kitchen to yours, relentlessly trialling and testing before landing on the perfect bite across 450 new products!
“From the exceptional restaurant-quality party food, starters, mains and desserts in our ‘Our Best Ever’ range – all based on our customers’ Foodhall favourites, to our unique mantlepiece and centrepiece-worthy gifts, and every artisan touch in between. For us, it’s never just Christmas food.”
