SAVOUR & SIP
ELISHA EATS
DREADING CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THIS YEAR? WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM ELISHA YOUNG (AKA @ELISHA.EATS ON INSTAGRAM), YOU CAN FIND PLENTY OF INSPIRATION FOR GOURMET GIFTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION
master the art of macarons. Classes are held at her beautiful home in Cottenham and they even include lunch cooked by Corinne herself – often using ingredients sourced from her garden. A calm and knowledgeable teacher, Corinne guides you through the process while sharing some of her kitchen secrets – plus a FOR THE CHOCOHOLIC Hill St. Maldon salted caramel, £6.50 Chocolate might risk seeming uninspired and basic – but a small amount of thought and consideration elevates it to the next level. Tucked away down All Saints Passage is local chocolatier Hill St., where you can browse carefully crafted creations. The range includes fluffy marshmallows, sparkling fruit pastels and wonderfully crisp chocolate pearls. My favourite is the Maldon salted caramel bar, which has toasty caramel notes and delicious pops of sea salt to create an addictive, balanced bar that isn’t sickly sweet. If the choice is too overwhelming, grab a digital voucher. hill.st FOR THE COFFEE ADDICT Hot Numbers Coffee Club subscription, prices vary They can’t function without a morning coffee? Then it might well be worth checking out the Hot Numbers Coffee Club subscription. Using ethically sourced beans roasted in Shepreth, the company offers six coffees from around the world. Select the subscription duration, frequency and amount of coffee – with free delivery on every order. As if that wasn’t enough complimentary glass of wine! gourmandisesacademy.co.uk personalisation, there’s also the option of ‘fresh & fruity’, ‘smooth & classic’ or ‘roaster’s choice’ flavour profiles, as well
avigating seasonal gifting can be tricky. There are so many things to consider and plenty
of potential pitfalls. No one likes the idea of their carefully selected present sitting unloved at the back of a dusty cupboard somewhere, ending up dumped in the bin or being secretly regifted to someone else. The fact is: there are no completely risk-free gift ideas (with the possible exception of a really good pair of socks), but I would like to make an argument for edible Christmas presents. With food, your risk of buying a dud is significantly lowered – just as long as you keep in mind dietary requirements and any strong dislikes. It’s rare that someone will be disappointed when presented with a box of chocolates or bottle of their favourite fizz. If you’re concerned this might seem boring or unoriginal: worry not. I’m here to help with my top picks from some great local independents. Hopefully, these will offer the inspiration you need to surprise that special someone in your life with a considerate and delicious gift. FOR THE BAKER Pastry class vouchers for Gourmandises Académie, prices vary Under the expert tutelage of patissiere Corinne Payet, you can learn how to make Parisian classics, craft your own sweet tarts, construct a towering croquembouche or Surprise that special someone in your life
as seven different types of grind – ranging from whole bean to Aeropress. Now that’s something to get you up in the morning! hotnumberscoffee.co.uk FOR INTERIOR DESIGN LOVER Wordplay Clay ‘Oh, shut your cakehole!’ plate, £35 For witty, food-related puns and tableware with some character, look no further than Wordplay Clay. Founded during the 2020 lockdown by Jessica Preston, the company offers porcelain ceramics decorated with colourful, vintage, letterpress-stamped designs. I’m particularly partial to the ‘Oh, shut your cakehole!’ plate, but there are a huge range of quirky designs to choose from, including jugs, bowls, vases, pots and spoons. Everything is handcrafted in Cambridgeshire and every item is unique. Keep an eye on the Instagram account @wordplayclay to see when the web shop has been restocked – and to get inspiration on how to maximise the pun potential of your homeware. wordplayclay.co.uk SCRUMPTIOUS The independent food scene in Cambridge has plenty to discover, like this salted caramel delight from Hill St. chocolatier
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