FOOD THE GOURMET BOYS
7 FESTIVE FOODIE STOCKING FILLERS The Gourmet Boys
Here are some of our favourite locally produced gift ideas for foodies, which would make perfect stocking f illers, Xmas hampers, or simply spoiling yourself with a little Yuletide luxury!
Modest Beer. A small independent brewery based in Randalstown, Modest Beer believes in simplicity & a knack for brewing pretty good beer! We had the pleasure of meeting brewer Chris recently, & had to try his amazing beers, from the blackcurranty Bramble Sour with its fragrant gin botanicals from the Echlinville Distillery, to the #7 release in a rotational “Pretty Good Pale Ale” series: a hazy pale ale dry-hopped for big flavours of pink grapefruit, sweet pineapple & a touch of resin. And probably our favourite, ideal for sipping by a crackling fireplace, a smooth Irish Stout, just like Nanna used to drink! Matsúra Co. Cookies. Matsúra Co.’s name is rooted in Kapampangan, a language native to the Philippines. “Matsúra, a term of playful endearment, which when translated can signify either “I am ugly” or “Imperfectly perfect” cookies. The inspiration for Matsúra Co. stemmed from baker Chai’s research and dedication to perfecting the art of creating cookies with a unique texture that balances fudgy, gooey, and crusty elements. Recently debuting as a pop-up at Trademarket Belfast, these cookies are handcrafted with the highest quality ingredients, boasting an original recipe. The lineup includes four flavours: Espresso Chocolate Chip, Ube & White Chocolate, Matcha Latte, and Pistachio & Date. Additionally, Matsúra Co. has plans to unveil seasonal flavours for Christmas. Irish Black Butter. A legendary treat, this award winning rich & spicy conserve made from Armagh Bramley apples, Irish Black Butter can be used to cook, bake, spread & mix. An incredibly versatile product, it ’s an ideal accompaniment to a Christmas cheeseboard & or charcuterie platter, or baked in a fruit loaf to give it extra moistness & flavour, and even as an ingredient in ice cream! We’re never without a jar of “the other black stuff ” in our larder! Blanco Niño Tortilla Chips. Blanco Niño’s award-winning range of corn tortilla chips, (recently earning 5 stars from the Great Taste Awards), are traditionally slowcooked and have a fantastic, authentically Mexican, style and flavour. Based in Co. Tipperary, Blanco Niño selects the very best, nonGMO corn from verifiable sustainable sources. The Tortilla Chips are GNI MAG [61]
naturally gluten-free, vegan friendly, kosher certified and contain no artificial preservatives. They’re also the first tortilla chip brand in the UK & Ireland to switch to fully recyclable packaging! There are five flavours in the range: Lightly Salted, Chilli & Lime, Smoky Chipotle, Creamy Jalapeño and Blue Corn; we created a bowl of delicious Nachos with the Blue Corn & Lightly Salted Chips, and the Smoky Chipotle flavour perfectly complemented a cool sour cream dip! Brilliant for Christmas parties. Two Stacks Whiskey. Two Stacks Irish Whiskey “Dram in a Can” is a world first, combining award-winning whiskey in a lightweight 100ml serving. We love Two Stacks Double Barrel Single Malt, a ready-to-go can with its blend of 10% peated malt & 90% unpeated malt, matured in both bourbon & oloroso sherry casks, delivering a fruity nuttiness. Two Stacks: available in packs of four, even the smallest of packages can bring the biggest surprises, and they’ll nestle perfectly in the toe of a whiskey lover’s stocking! Mike’s Fancy Cheese. Mike’s Fancy Cheese on Little Donegal St, an absolute treasure trove of delicious Irish cheeses to delight turophiles everywhere, is one of our go-to cheese shops when we need to create that unforgettable cheeseboard for a special dinner party over the festive period. We picked up some tangy yet creamy Ballylisk Single Cream Brie, a buttery, sweet Durrus, a sharp and bouncy Emerald, some salty Carraignamuck, and Mike’s very own legendary blue, Young Buck, made in Newtownards. We paired these fantastic cheeses with a lovely little pot of Erin Grove Caramelised Red Onion & Redcurrant Relish, and some charcoal, beetroot, and oat biscuits. Christmas after dinner nibbles sorted! Neary Nógs Chocolate. Situated between the stunning Mourne Mountains and the shimmering sea, Neary Nógs is Ireland’s first bean to bar artisan chocolate making studio. What began as a fundraiser to help the Neary family through personal challenges evolved into a passion that led to the establishment of the business in 2011. Integrity, sustainability, & ethically sourced cacao beans from small farms in Central America, South America and the Caribbean islands are key to fostering close partnerships, prioritising direct trade practices, and supporting the rain-forest alliance. Tours are
