Eat drink and be Merry!

Everything you could imagine and desire for the celebration table is offered fresh and ready to go from the superb delis, farm shops and independent retailers of our home county. Read on for your essential Christmas shopping list formulated by Heart of England Fine Foods especially for Herefordshire Society readers.

Food glorious food . . .

As one of the most prolific food and drink producers in the UK, Herefordshire has an enviable abundance of choice and diversity that is guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning gourmet palates.

Centuries of passion and diligence have given rise to world-famous ciders and perries, orchard fruit and organic beef and, we are now seeing new innovations with exotic flavoured ice creams, infused vodkas, designer crisps and superb English wines.

Regional food group Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF) is dedicated to supporting local producers through creating sustainable trade links. Its new food lovers' club, Relish, is bringing producers even closer to the consumer with exclusive member offers, fine dining, events and helpful guides on where to find the best in taste and quality.

Whether you're looking for old-fashioned favourites, something a little different or a special gift for a foodie in the family, you're sure to find it in this delectable box of delights. When you've finished browsing our essential festive food list, vist pages 12 and 13 for our Relish club offer and great competition to win a superb hamper of Herefordshire produce.

DAIRY

The September Organic Dairy Ltd

Whitehill Park, Weobley, HR4 8QE

Tel: 01544 312910

Email: sales@september-organic.co.uk

Website: www.september-organic.co.uk

Organic dairy ice cream made with organic milk, eggs and cream from Herefordshire. The range of flavours includes Cinnamon Spice, Brown Bread, Chocolate Orange and Elderflower Cream, as well as Vanilla, Simply Strawberry, and Choc-a-Lot.

Monkland Cheese Dairy

The Pleck, Monkland, near Leominster

HR6 9DB

Tel: 01568 720307

Email: enquiries@mousetrapcheese.co.uk

Website: www.mousetrapcheese.co.uk

Little Hereford cheese made to Ellen Yeld's original Herefordshire recipe. There are three variations: Herefordshire Sage, Monkland and Oak Smoked Little Hereford.

Monkland Cheese Dairy is a working dairy with a caf and farm shop and is open to the public. There are three Mousetrap cheese shops in Leominster, Hereford and Ludlow. Mail order is also available.

Dairy House, Whitehill Park, Weobley, HR4 8QE

Tel: 01544 318815

Website: www.thedairyhouse.co.uk

Small, award-winning dairy producing natural and fruit yoghurts; double, clotted and Jersey cream; many types and sizes of cheesecakes and soft and hard cheeses.

All handmade using milk from their own organic farms.

Just Rachel, The Old Dairy, Churches Farm, Eggs Tump, Bromsberrow, Ledbury, HR8 1SA

Tel: 01531 650639

Email: info@justrachel.com

Website: www.justrachel.com

A myriad of natural, handmade ice cream flavours for winter include Christmas pudding with rum and brandy; fig, honey and absinthe and coffee with whisky fudge pieces; vodka and orange and Bucks Fizz sorbets; plum pudding ice cream bombes and a chocolate and chestnut rum gateau.

Available through quality delicatessens, farm shops and mail order.

FRESH PRODUCE

Flights Orchard Organics,

Unit 4, Lower Road Industrial Estate, Ledbury HR8 2DJ

Tel: 01531 632244

Email: mike@flightsorchard.co.uk

Website: 3 www.flightsorchardorganics.co.uk

Flights Organics offer freshly harvested, seasonal and local fruit and veg in a range of box sizes, delivered direct to the door.

Flights grows up to 80 varieties of fruit and vegetables all year round.

MEAT & POULTRY

Goodmans Geese

Walsgrove Farm, Great Witley, Worcester, WR6 6JJ

Tel: 01299 896272

Email: sales@goodmansgeese.co.uk

Website: www.goodmansgeese.co.uk

Renowned free-range, grass and corn-fed geese and bronze turkeys reared by the Goodman brothers and delivered next day to order.

Judy Goodman regularly gives talks and demonstrations on how to prepare goose for special occasions.

RE Williams & Sons

Whitehill and Broad Street, Weobley, HR4 8QZ

Tel: 01544 318205

Email: sales@rewilliams.co.uk

Website: www.rewilliams.co.uk

Specialist in quality traditional Herefordshire beef, pork and lamb selected for full traceability from local farms.

Bacon, gammon and hams are dry cured.

Handmade, naturally flavoured sausages, some gluten-free and a wide range of Cottage Delight stuffings and accompaniments.

Orders taken for bronze turkeys, ducks, geese and capons.

Next-day home delivery service available by mail order.

OPT-OUT

Food From Here

Cothill Farm, Turnastone, Vowchurch, HR2 0RE

Tel: 01981 550254

Email: foodfromhere@fsmail.net

Website: www.foodfromhere.net

Dinner parties delivered to your home and all events catered for. Locally sourced beef and lamb and seasonal ingredients grown on the farm are used to create fresh, imaginative food with a modern twist.

Convenient freezer meals available or visit and try before you buy at the caf at Abbey Dore Court Gardens.

Chef On Board

Cromford House, Staunton on Wye, HR4 7NA

Tel: 01981 500103

Email: mail@chefonboard.com

Website: www.chefonboard.com

More than 20 hand-prepared, frozen ready meals in individual portions.

Made using high quality, locally sourced ingredients and perfect for when the Christmas catering gets too much.

The range includes old favourites and original recipes with vegetarian and gluten free options such as luxury fish pie, tagine of lamb, boeuf bourguignon, pork stroganoff, venison casserole and Herefordshire beef lasagne.

2 SWEET THINGS

Swan Chocolates

Orchard Farm, Comberton, Ludlow,

Shropshire, SY8 4HE

Tel: 01584 831127

Email: info@swan-chocolate.co.uk

Website: www.swan-chocolate.co.uk

Produces handmade, Belgian-style chocolates using the regional ingredients and fruit flavourings, including cider brandy from Hereford, Black Mountain liqueur from Abergavenny, Berrows honey and Tipsy Fruit Gins from Worcestershire. If the sign is out, call in or order online.

The Country Fudge Co

Newhouse Farm, Wormbridge, Hereford, HR2 9EA

Tel: 01981 500710

Email: information@countryfudge.com

Website: www.countryfudge.com

High quality fudge to a time-honoured family recipe. Traditional flavours like vanilla alongside the exotic caramel and mango, chocolate and ginger and canilla and maple, all available at Hereford Cathedral Shop, Hereford TIC, Shepherds Ice Cream in Hay-on-Wye, among others.

Franks Luxury Biscuits

Unit 12a, Holmer Trading Estate, Hereford, HR1 1JS

Tel: 01432 376729

Email: sales@franksluxurybiscuits.co.uk

Website: www.franksluxurybiscuits.co.uk

Twenty different varieties of 'Oatie' biscuits, millionaire's and luxury shortbread, bara brith, iced apricot cake, madeira cake, chocolate fudge cake and choca-mocha toffee cake to name but a few.

Luxury Christmas cakes made to order. can be found in more that 400 independent outlets nationwide or order direct.

LARDER

James' Gourmet Coffee

Unit 7, Cropper Row, Haigh Industrial Estate, Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5LA

Tel: 0870 787 0233

Email: enquiries@jamesgourmetcoffee.com

Website: www.jamesgourmetcoffee.com

Wide range of speciality import coffees from around the world, including Organic, Single Estate, Vintage and Fairtrade from small family business. Buy online.

The Handmade Scotch Egg Company

The Old Cookhouse & Hopscotch Shop, 5 The Hop Pocket, Bishop's Frome, WR6 5BT

Tel: 01885 490520

Email: info@handmadescotcheggs.co.uk

Website: www.handmadescotcheggs.co.uk

Scotch eggs using free-range and quails eggs and local meat, but vegetarians well catered for.

More than 20 varieties of scotch eggs in regular 3" size, 'wee ones' and 'wee beasties'.

Home delivery online or by phone and on sale in the Hopscotch shop and delis and farmers' markets.

Jus

Glebe Farm, Aylton, Ledbury, HR8 2RQ

Tel: 01531 670121

Website: www.jusapples.co.uk

Pure juice from English apples, sourced locally when possible. Wide range of single bottled varieties with no blends, including eaters, cookers, some cider varieties, very sharp to very sweet.

Can be found in shops, farm shops and farmers, markets or by phone or online.

Wil's Smokehouse

Rosemary Cottage, Logaston, HR3 6QH

Tel: 01544 327847

Email: jim@baconcurer.com

Website: www.baconcurer.com

A variety of food including meats, coarse salt and mixed organic nuts and seeds, dry marinated to a 150-year-old recipe and a popular, healthy bar or party snack. Products can be found at regional farmers' markets, delis, farm shops and he makes local deliveries.

Osmin Olives

Unit 6, Paytoe Lane Industrial Estate, Leintwardine, SY7 0NB

Tel: 01547 540237

Email: osminolives@hotmail.com

Website: www.ourlocalfood.co.uk

Whole and stuffed olives in a variety of flavours, Mediterranean salads, grilled and roasted marinated vegetables, pestos, tapenades, sauces and marinades as well as olive-derived products such as oils and soaps. Available at farmers' markets, delis and for home deliveries and event catering.

Tyrrells Potato Chips

Tyrrells Court, Stretford Bridge, Leominster, HR6 9DQ

Tel: 01568 720244

Email: will.chase@tyrrellspotatochips.co.uk

Website: www.tyrrellspotatochips.co.uk

Tyrrells uses selected potato varieties grown without pesticides to make its crisps. Flavours include Jalapeno chilli and lemon, Ludlow sausage and mustard, Thai curry and coriander and game. A range of root vegetable chips and dips also available.

Tyrrells can now be found in more than 4,000 outlets and Waitrose.

WINES

Bodenham Wines

Broadfield Court Estate, Bowley Lane, Bodenham, HR1 3LG

Tel: 01568 797483

Email: enquiries@broadfieldcourt.co.uk

Website: www.broadfieldcourt.co.uk

The Reichensteiner, Huxelrebe, Mueller-Thurgau, Seyve Villard and Madeline Angevine vines on this family-owned estate produce English wines.

Tasting and tours are conducted from the onsite caf and shop.

Orders by phone, fax or post.

Lulham Court Vineyard

Lulham Court, Madley, Hereford, HR2 9JJ

Tel: 01981 251107

Email: sales@lulhamcourtvineyard.co.uk

Website: www.lulhamcourtvineyard.co.uk

Lulham Court is a three-acre vineyard in the Wye Valley, producing a range of fruity wine.

Varieties include Mueller Thurgau, Reichensteiner and Seyval Blanc and a highly commended brut sparkling wine. Call for advice prior to ordering.

Monkhide Country Wines

Carlton House, Canon Pyon, Hereford, HR4 8NY

Tel: 01432 839016

Email: info@monkhidewines.co.uk

Website: www.monkhidewines.co.uk

Wines, liqueurs and spirits from local fruit and flowers made by traditional methods.

Includes rosehip wine, Black Beauty sparkling blackcurrant wine, raspberry vodka, citrus vodka, apple and pear brandy and a light sloe gin.

Also in 5cl miniature bottles. Stocked all over Herefordshire at quality delis and independent stores.

CIDER & ALE

The Marches Brewing Company

The Old Hop Kiln, Dormington, HR1 4EA

Tel: 01568 610063

Email: littlebeer@totalise.co.uk

A unique small brewery, housed in a converted hop kiln set among Herefordshire's hop fields, Paul Harris uses new and trial varieties of hops to produce an extensive range of flavours and styles, some exclusive to the brewery. Available in bottles, casks and party packs.

Henney's Cider Company

2 Tan House Court, Much Cowarne, Bromyard, HR7 4JE

Tel: 01432 820014

Email: mike@henneys.co.uk

Website: www.henneys.co.uk

Premium bottled cider made using 100% apple juice with no artificial flavourings or colouring.

Tastes include Frome Valley Dry, Frome Valley Medium and Apple Blossom. Mail order available through The Hop Pocket Wine Co and Orchard Hive & Vine and direct through retail outlets and supermarkets regionally.

H Weston & Sons

The Bounds, Much Marcle, Ledbury, HR8 2NQ

Tel: 01531 660233

Email: enquiries@westons-cider.co.uk

Website: www.westons-cider.co.uk

Producers of cider and perry since 1880. Winner of many awards.

The entire range and Westons merchandise are sold through the visitors' centre and online store.

You can even adopt an apple tree.

ONE-STOP SHOPS

The Hop Pocket Wine Company

The Hop Pocket Craft Centre, New House Farm, Bishops Frome, WR6 5BT

Tel: 01531 640592

Email: sales@hoppocketwine.co.uk

Website: www.hoppocketwine.co.uk

Specialist in local wines, real ales, ciders and spirits.

Customers welcome for free tastings.

The craft centre also has crafts and gifts, a delicatessen, handmade jewellery and a restaurant.

Also order through the secure website.

Truffles Deli

46 High Street, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5HG

Tel: 01989 762336

Email: truffles@wyenot.com

Website: www.wyenot.com/truffles

Richard and Hayley give a warm welcome and offer an extensive range of British cheeses, olives, locally made pats, luxury chocolates, seasonal hampers and more.

Taste of the Country

Countrywide, Hazle Park, Dymock Road, Ledbury, HR8 2JQ

Tel: 01531 635600

Email: info@tasteofthecountry.co.uk

Website: www.tasteofthecountry.co.uk

Sells only local and British foods, including fresh meats, handmade pies, ready meals and puddings; cheese and dairy products and farm fresh vegetables.

Each shop has helpful, knowledgeable staff and a 'Food Fact File' supplying full product traceability.