We’ve come over all festive and in the spirit of giving this season, we’ve got a super special, tailored hamper for one lucky reader filled with some of our favourite food and drink products!
We’ve been blogging almost four years now and we’ve gone through our fair share of great products. From things we’ve been sent to try to others we’ve picked up on our travels, things that caught our eye from the shop window and others we’ve been recommended by friends and family, we’ve become a little discerning about what we stock in our kitchen.
Which is why we want to share the love and treat you with a collection of some of our favourite things. One lucky winner will receive all this loot delivered directly to their door in time for Christmas – what a way to spend the season, eh? Included below is:
1. The Kerrygold Cookbook – a copy of this cookbook of fabulous recipes by Ireland’s favourite butter brand. We’ve made so many of these, try the stove-top potatoes and the butter chicken!
2. The Great British Bake Off: How To Avoid a Soggy Bottom – a cookbook shelf essential, we’ve all feared the worst outcome possible of a baking disaster, so this should solve every problem!
3. Borough Market swag – an apron and matching tea towel from London’s biggest and best food market and a gorgeous green-trim, compact hessian shopping bag.
4. Pomora Oils – a four-piece selection of flavours of extra virgin olive oils from this brilliant Italian olive tree adoption service. We’ve included some handy recipe cards too!
5. Rare Tea Co loose leaf White Peony China Tea – something a little different and unusual if you fancy a cup of something special on Christmas morning!
6. Ballymaloe Relish – a box of miniature glass jars of different chutnies, relishes and jams from Ireland’s favourite, Ballymaloe. Plus an apple sauce and meat glaze to use on your Christmas table AND a large squeezy bottle of our favourite Jalapeno relish – great with a Boxing Day breakfast! (or St. Stephen’s Day for our Irish folk)
7. Set of four Spice Mountain spice mixes – these will be a blessing post-Christmas when you’re sick of the sight of meat and two veg roasts. Turkey curry anyone? Vegan vindaloo? Sorted!
8. Pact Coffee – a one-month’s worth (275g) bag of Planalto ‘Malt Milk Chocolate Shake’ coffee beans, sourced from Brazil and roasted by Pact.
9. RubyBlue Vodka –2 x 50ml samplers of Ireland’s celebrated potato vodka. Previously featured in our 25 Irish Drinks You Must Try post!
10. Boutique Bake Cacao and Protein Bites – great little make-it-yourself kit to enjoy these healthy treats!
11. Jing Tea Jade Sword organic loose leaf green tea – embrace Hygge this season and wrap up in a blanket with a good book and a cup of tea!
12. Carluccio’s Chocolate Cups with Grappa – an Italian essential for Christmas, pour the strong spirit into the chocolate cups and enjoy the flavour sensation together; this is the perfect end to any Christmas meal! PLUS we’ve got a huge milk chocolate coin for you too!
13. Finally: a homemade batch of GastroGays granola and a personalised card from us to you!
This competition is now closed. The Winner is Lesley Prestage from Essex, UK. Thank you to everyone for entering!
*Terms and conditions apply: Competition is only open to residents of mainland UK and the island of Ireland – this is due to postal restrictions and costs. As alcohol is included in this prize, competition entrants must be over 18 years of age and proof of age will be required. Competition closes at 12:00am on Thursday 15th December 2016. Decision is final. No cash alternative.
A cornucopia of epicurean delights! #FabNosh
I love the prize and I’m keeping my fingers crossed! I just love carlingford oysters! Massive fan since I found them earlier this summer!
Chia seeds….. I love them….. defo my find of 2016….also baby spinach leaves….who knew they were so gorge ♡
Indian lime pickle it’s so zingy and spicy amazing stuff.
Nduja sausage, in particular in mac and cheese!
That’s some selection of prizes. The tea and the big chocolate coin (my inner child) drew my attention
Black Bomb Cheese…..yummy
A big bowl of homemade Janssons’s Temptation while listening to schlager!
Forgot the most important bit…proper Swedish senap from a tube!!!
My fave product I’ve found this year is Irish made chutneys and relishes by “The Birds and the Teas”
Black pudding, especially sneem black pudding! I recently moved back to Ireland from Canada and I’m making up for all I missed while I was away!
Giant marshmallows that you can toast over the fire when camping
Manuka honey – it has helped my ease my Crohn’s disease!
Raw cacao powder has been a god send! Discovered it a few months ago, now I don’t feel quite as guilty when I bake!!
Biscotti spread absolutely love the stuff now
Author
YASSSSSSS!!!!
White pudding – they eat it in Ireland
I’ve been mad on smoked salmon this year… Having it for breakfast with scrambled eggs & bagels on Christmas day! 🙂
raw organic chocolate truffles Mmmmm
reblachon cheese
Cobble tasty cheese
Found it in a little cheese shop in the lake district
Caramelised onion hummus, not that exciting but really tasty
believe it or not at the young age of 32 ive just discovered…BBQ sauce! refused to eat it for year now i literally put it on everything!
I discovered morrocan spice mix Ras El Hanout and you’d be amazed what I’m adding it to these days 😉 :’D
I love kale! Perfect in smoothies & a superfood!
Almond Butter
sukrin golden sugar substitiute – enables me to bake goodies for my hubby who has pre-diabetes
I haven’t newly discovered but rediscovered cheese! I love the stuff, all types can’t stop eating it!
Organic New Zealns kiwi fruits
Amazing prize, there’s nothing there I wouldn’t absolutely love!
Best discovery this year was mama nagis Indian chilli & curry pastes, so delicious!
Quinoa & it’s actually nice
Hitachino Nest Saison Du Japon – a Japanese take on a Belgian beer using rice koji – beer of the year!
Raw vegan truffles. I thought they would be a joyless experience but are fabulous and actually really easy to make!
Wow, finally something good about 2016! My foodie find from 2016 has to be Boyles Gin from Aldi. It’s really smooth and easy to drink, plus it’s easy on the pocket too!!
Rainbow Beetroot! Have always been a fan of beetroot, but never had any fancy varieties of it before. I love this stuff! Raw or cooked it is delicious 🙂
medjool dates love them!
Great prize! Smoked Applewood cheese 😀
Truffle oil , I’m addicted it’s killing my purse !
Coconut chips
Black garlic – discovered for first time this year, addicted.
The rule o’pork
Poke. This Hawaiian dish is already pretty popular on the food scene, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Who wouldn’t want chunks of tuna soaked in a soy and sesame oil marinade and served atop seaweed-seasoned rice?
I’ve discovered Kefir and i love it and feel great!x
Whiteoaks organic tomatoes – so tasty
Baileys Extra Thick Cream – less than £1 a tub and its AMAZING!!!
For me, it’s orange infused olives from our local Spanish deli – I thought the combination of orange and olive sounded vile at first, but they’re so addictive!
Quinoa & it’s actually nice
I love Wild About nettle pesto, who ever thought nettles could taste so good!
Pact coffee was a lifesaver this year. L9ve it!
My discover is rather basic, but 2016 was sort of a reset for me. Clarence Court Eggs!!! from a simple fried egg on top of pasta to helping me be brave to attempt a birthday cake, they elevated everything!
Nduja sausage
Amazing giveaway! My fave food discovery of the year is Bean and Goose chocolate, small batch made in Wexford and it’s beyond good!!
You had me at huge chocolate coin. ❤
I found rebel chilli sweet chilli sauces and chilli jams. They go so well with everything!! Be warned the jams are hot!
Nduja sauage – can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before!!
I discovered harissa paste. Very versatile stuff
A fantastic Prize
Gastroguys granola
saffron, not a flavour I’d tried but it’s great
Aioli. Not sure how it took me until 2016 to discover it, but now I love Aioli with loads of things.
itsu Sweet Chilli Prawn Crackers. They are delicious.
truffle oil, a little goes a long way
My foodie find of 2016 is Kim Kong Kimchi. I found it in my green grocer and apparently it’s made locally! Awesome competition!
I really love The Little Milk Company cheddar. Such a great find.
What a cracking prize. Imagine how merry and bright January would be with that in your kitchen?! A fair few elements in there I’ve yet to try, the Spice Mountain goodies look especially exciting. My favorite foodie treat, aside from a good cheese board is and will always be some proper butter, from kerrygold to the smoky, salty offerings of Cuinneog or Improper butter – homemade bread, baking, spuds and sauces are richer and more delicious for it. It tastes like home and adventure all at the same time. Happy Christmas.
Theres a new charcuterie producer in NI – and they are incredible! Ispini Couldn’t recommend more x
Lincolnshire Poacher cheese – it’s delicious!
Welsh Lady Apple and Cinnamon curd, so nice in a sponge cake. I want to win for the homemade granola and the card!
My foodie find for 2016 has to be Passion Preserved’s range of jams, jellies, chutney and (best of all) kasundi!
Not very new…But I finally tried Sushi and now I can’t get enough! x
Quinoa crisps
Reading all these has made me feel so unadventurous – I have not tried nothing new this year!
Looking back on all the new things I ate this year, and I think the bacon jam wins it. It was almost like a pulled pork paste with some texture to it, and definitely had some curry zing. If I could find it again, I would have it in a heartbeat!
Almond butter. Tastes wonderful.
Coconut oil
Chinese 5 spice.
Raw cacao powder is absolutely fabulous and the taste is so much better in my cooking creations!
Parmesan cheese, the smell has always put me off but adding it to dishes certainly alters the flavour
I tried oysters for the first time this year – they were amazing!
My recent discovery is halloumi cheese, delicious with ham
It’s not new or glamorous but northern Irish potato pasties …. so comforting!
Happy Christmas guys x
For the first time ever i tried Ostrich and I couldn’t believe that i loved it. There’s no harm in experimenting and i was pleasantly surprised!
i found manuka honey….lovely x
Mushrooms with cheese cooked in the oven they are lovely
Indian lime pickle adds a zing to everything
For me has to be a 3 nut butter, i adore it on toast, out the jar, on well anything and EVERYTHING!
Mars Bar Crispy Cake- I have at a toddler group I go to, but you have to get thee early or it goes because everyone loves it.
nice site
Sourdough Bread …….makes the best French Toast ever
Stinking Bishop cheese – so good!
Biscotti Spread – but it is just so moreish! When is enough ever enough!?!
Turkish Tea. Lovely and sweet
Bishop Cheese – yum yum love to try this 🙂
Dessicated crickets – great as a nibble with drinks – can honestly say they don’t taste of much but I like the crunch 🙂
Quinoa a great beneficial antioxidant
These puff pastry bites with redcurrant jam in the middle from M&S. The best thing ever!
Gluten free pork scratchings
Toonsbridge smoked mozzarella! It’s heaven
This post has me drooling!
Raw chocolate it’s just fantastic
I had clams for the first time. So tasty!
Delicious Grappa and wonderful Chocolate, mmmm just my thing for a Happy Christmas and if it lasts New Year as well 🙂 x
Tom Kah Gai! yum!
Linseeds, they are great on everything & so good for you
Re-discovering my love of ballymaloe relish since my return to Ireland
Date syrup, it is fabulous when paired with tahini and spread on toast I also use it to marinade chicken, adding tamari, garlic and lemon juice
Coconut Chips by Nudie Snacks – lot healthy than normal crisps for snacking and taste great!!
cheddar and chilli cheese
My favourite product I’ve tried in 2016 is Meridian nut butters, sweet jesus they’re divine!
Stinking Bishop cheese, quite aromatic but tastes divine 🙂
chocolate covered coffee beans
popworks popcorn, fab flavours
Sweet potatoes! Never had them before my health spree now I can’t get enough of them
It’s not very glamorous but we learnt to cook carbonara properly and it is delicious
Parsnip crisps with bacon and maple seasoning! So nice!
coronation chicken chipolatas
Main foodie discovery this year was chorizo jam – incredible in sausage rolls or with cheese!!
Moroccan couscous
My favourite food product I have discovered this year is sweet chilli prawns
Black pudding
Using quinoa as porridge! Absolutely nom diddly nom!
Roasted beetroot
Raw cacao powder very handy to have for cookin yum, thankyou for the chance .
For me it’s been Natvia sweetener. It’s much better than canderel etc and has the texture of sugar.
Coconut milk – not exactly new, but delicious all the same!
My latest thing is Horchata i love the spices at this time of year x
Orzo coffee
Glenisk greek yogurt; fab to use on its own or in savoury or sweet recipes
sun flower seeds 🙂
jack daniels tenneysene ribs
Carrot and walnut cake
I discovered the cheese Cornish Blue – such a creamy & flavourful cheese! Recommend it 🙂
manuka honey delicious xx
Weak for this hamper guys
Almond butter
Caramel frappe
I have discovered Maca powder this year. Supposed to have lots of benefits, I use it to put in my Nutri Bullet to make a healthy drink
I have discovered couscous this year and love it xx
nothing this year
Organic Tamari sauce. I’d never used Tamari sauce before & love it : )
Weirdly, I’ve fallen a bit in love with artichoke, of all the things!
Butternut squash! I didn’t realise how versatile it was.
I discovered this year Rachel’s organic butter. It is the best butter I’ve ever tasted. So creamy and slightly sweet. Just delicious.
Wensleydale cheese with cranberries – OMG!
almond milk. great for rounding off dishes and drinks.
coconut milk, so sweet and supposedly good for you
Ho Ho Ho! Liked & Shared – Would be great to Win a GASTROGAYS CHRISTMAS HAMPER in time for Xmas!
Tahini – love using it as a spread for a snack. 🙂
Golden Paste, turmeric and coconut oil for inflamation
Manuka honey – use it in cakes and sweets.
I just discoveree chia seeds they give me so much energy defintely best food i have discovered this year
I’m loving all the new relishes from Ballymaloe #FestiveFeeling
Tescos finest Rum and Raisin Fruit Pudding – soo looking forward to this instead of Xmas pud
The Snack Organisation Freeze-Dried Strawberries. They taste like candy floss and are highly addictive!
Passion Preseve’s Watermelon rind pickle. Spicy, sweet, savoury and amazing with cheese, especially strong cheese or blue cheese. We’ve got our Christmas supply in already.
Two things that have became a staple this year are cauliflower rice and grape nuts. Delish!!
has to almond milk
houmous
Love the tea
Soya milk – I didn’t realise I loved it so much!
modena balsamic vinegar
malteser chocolate spread delicious x
Almond Milk
shallots, love em
Almond milk!
I have discovered Aduna baobab powder, so many health benefits and I add it to my porridge every morning now
i tried chia seeds and found I love them
My favourite cafe, Brother Hubbard, have just started selling their hot chocolate to take home 🙂
Ginger