Chocs Away! Gift Russell & Atwell's Fresh Chocolates This Christmas

Share the pure joy of fresh flavours this Christmas by gifting the exceptional taste and experience of fresh chocolates from emerging British chocolate brand Russell & Atwell.

Made using only 100% real ingredients and never with palm oil, their hand-finished fresh chocolates have an irresistible 'double crack' bite sensation. 

Each chocolate has a thin outer chocolate shell that once cracked open, leads to a smooth, scrumptious centre, packed with flavour and created with Fino de Aroma Colombian cocoa, finishing with a deeply indulgent bottom layer of chocolate.

Russell & Atwell use the highest quality and sustainable ingredients sourced only from small ethical, predominantly British producers. 

Their chocolates are made from responsibly sourced cocoa, fresh organic British cream and butter, Essex Borage and Salisbury Plain wildflower honey and just a pinch of Dorset Sea Salt. This award-winning combination creates a moreish blend of taste and texture, making every bite a truly indulgent chocolate experience.

Committed to sustainability, Russell & Atwell's fresh chocolate pouches are recyclable and their glass jars are designed to be refilled with their paper eco pouches. With British honey a key ingredient in their chocolate, Russell & Atwell also supports the Buglife charity which plants vital wildflower B-Lines for bees and other pollinators with every pouch sold.

Founded by former Cadbury and Godiva employees Giles Atwell and Steve Russell who have a combined 35 years experience of working on world famous chocolate brands and 103 years heritage in the industry, Russell & Atwell became a runaway success on BBC1's Dragon Den, securing investment from entrepreneurs Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones.

Watch Giles and Steve discussing why fresh is best here.

Russell & Atwell's fresh 'double crack' chocolates: an outer shell that cracks, a scrumptious, smooth centre and a thick chocolatey bottom layer

Christmas Highlights

Great Taste Award Winning Seville Orange Pouch (90g), 12 chocolates, £8.00

Zesty, fruity and with a hint of tartness, this festive flavour is a special limited edition for Christmas. Russell & Atwell's signature fresh chocolate envelops a super smooth Seville orange, marmalade-like centre, made from real Seville oranges. 

NEW Nutty Blonde Pouch (90g), 12 chocolates, £8.00

A match made in fresh chocolate heaven, Nutty Blonde is the incredible tasting fusion of two of Russell & Atwell's best sellers: Dirty Blond and Cracking Hazelnut. They're made with real Italian Roma Hazelnuts that have been roasted in their shell for a fuller, deeper flavour.

Great Taste Award Winning Marc de Champagne Pouch (90g), 12 chocolates, £8.50

A 2024 Great Taste award-winner, these rich, dark fresh chocolates have a creamy chocolatey centre laced with real Marc de Champagne.

Triple Monty Pack, Seville Orange or a Limited Edition flavour, x 3 pouches (90g) of 12 chocolates, £22

Enjoy some of Russell & Atwell's  favourite flavours not once, not twice but three times with the Triple Monty. Three pouches of fresh chocolates in either Seville Orange or a Limited Edition flavour.

Mega Monty Pack x 6 pouches (90g)of 12 chocolates, £39

What's not to love about a Mega Monty Pack?  Featuring one pouch each of Creamy Milk, Smooth Dark, Salted Caramel, Seville Orange, Creamy Hazelnut and Dirty Blond fresh chocolate - there's something for everyone!

Russell & Atwell's Refillable Fresh Chocolate Glass jars

Milk & Salted Caramel Refillable Fresh Chocolate Glass Jar Pack, £32 (160g per jar)

A special festive pack of Russell & Atwell's best selling premium glass jars of Creamy Milk and Salted Caramel. Containing one jar of each flavour, with 20 chocolates per jar, they're perfect for giving, sharing or treating yourself at home. The jars are made to be refilled and reused with their bio-degradable, recyclable Eco-Pouches, so you need never run out of chocolates again!

Chocolate Subscription - available from 1st December 2024

Choose from a 3, 6 or 12 month gift subscription, featuring three recyclable pouches (90g) of curated combinations for Milk Lovers (Blond Monty or Golden Monty), Nut Lovers (Nutty Monty), Dark Lovers (Dark Monty)  fresh chocolates, delivered to your door in a letterbox friendly pack every month. 

Russell & Atwell's full range is available online at russellandatwell.com or in select delicatessens including Panzers and also Booth's supermarkets. 

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Wise Bartender Releases Two Advent Calendars Featuring Alcohol-Free Drinks to Ensure Growing Numbers of Non-Drinkers Can Celebrate This Christmas

With demand for tasty and satisfying alcohol-free drinks continuing to rise and flourish, award-winning online retailer Wise Bartender has launched two advent calendars to ensure the traditional ritual of receiving a daily treat during advent remains accessible to everyone.

Pre-orders are being taken for the Wise Bartender beer advent calendar and the sweet and tasty version that includes a selection of alcohol-free alternatives to wine, cider, spirits and cocktails. Both are offered at an early bird price of £59.99, including free delivery, but will revert to the standard price of £79.99 when the initial supply of 250 is exhausted.

Says Tom Ward, founder of Wise Bartender: “The Wise Bartender website gives anyone looking to cut out or cut back the amount of alcohol they consume a chance to discover refreshingly different alcohol-free drinks, with over 400 products available.

"Our advent calendars are a popular addition each year as they offer a cost-effective way of trying a selection of 24 delicious drinks and sharing the experience of eagerly opening an advent door every day with hundreds of other mindful drinkers.”

The Wise Bartender beer advent calendar includes 24 different alcohol-free beers (all between 0.0% - 0.5% ABV) with styles including lager, pilsner, stout, ale, IPA, and wheat beers drawn from a range of favourite brands and some exciting new additions.

Alternatively, customers can choose the Wise Bartender sweet and tasty advent calendar which offers a diverse selection of 24 different alcohol-free drinks, including wine, cider, spirit and cocktail alternatives to enjoy. All the drinks in this calendar are vegan-friendly to ensure everyone can indulge in a daily alcohol-free treat.

“During December, the Wise Bartender social media pages are given over to content relating to the advent calendars” added Tom “with producers providing imagery and videos that give information about their drinks, and we encourage everyone who is opening their calendar to join in with their photos and feedback so that it's a truly interactive experience. 

"And when you discover some great, new drinks that you enjoy we've got you covered as both Wise Bartender advent calendars come with a discount voucher to stock up on your favourites during December.”

Whether you want to cut back on alcohol, regularly consume alcohol-free drinks, or just want to try an alternative range of drinks over the festive period, the original alcohol-free advent calendars from Wise Bartender are really your go-to choice. They combine the traditional enjoyment of opening an advent calendar,  alongside savouring a tasty alcohol-free drink, exploring its background and then using your discount to stock up with further supplies of your favourites so that you can celebrate Christmas your own way.

Wise Bartender advent calendars are now available to pre-order from https://wisebartender.co.uk/collections/advent-calendar with delivery scheduled in November. They are part of a range of mixed alcohol-free drink packs that are available, which make excellent Christmas gifts for everyone who wants to celebrate over the festive season, but chooses not to do so with alcohol.

A Taste of Christmas: Regional Specialities from Across the UK and Ireland

The festive season is not just about presents and decorations; it’s also a time to indulge in delicious, traditional foods. 

Across the UK and Ireland, each region brings its own unique flair to Christmas feasting. From hearty pies to sweet treats, here’s a look at some special Christmas foods from across the isles.

1. England: Yorkshire Christmas Pie

Yorkshire has a long-standing tradition of hearty pies, and the Christmas version is no exception. The Yorkshire Christmas Pie is an extravagant affair. This grand pie is packed with multiple layers of meat—traditionally, everything from turkey and goose to game birds. It's an awe-inspiring centrepiece for a Christmas table, often surrounded by rich gravy and seasonal vegetables.

For something a little sweeter, mince pies are a beloved part of Christmas celebrations across England. Filled with dried fruits, spices, and sometimes a dash of brandy, these tiny pies are thought to bring good luck when eaten during the 12 days of Christmas.

2. Scotland: Cloutie Dumpling

In Scotland, Christmas dinner isn't complete without a slice of Cloutie Dumpling. This spiced fruit pudding is boiled in a cloth (the “clout”), giving it a characteristic skin and dense texture. It's a traditional dessert that’s rich with dried fruits, suet, and spices, often soaked in whisky to add warmth to the festive table. Traditionally served with custard or a dram of whisky, it’s a true winter warmer.

Another festive Scottish treat is the black bun, a fruitcake wrapped in pastry, traditionally eaten on Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) but sometimes seen during the Christmas period too.

3. Wales: Bara Brith

Christmas in Wales wouldn’t be complete without a slice of Bara Brith, a rich fruit loaf steeped in tea and flavoured with mixed spice. Although it’s often enjoyed year-round, it takes on a special place at Christmas, sometimes served alongside other traditional foods like Welsh cakes. The fruity, spiced aroma of Bara Brith feels especially festive when enjoyed with a hot cup of tea on a cold winter’s day.

Additionally, tê bach, a spiced biscuit often served at Christmas parties, makes a delightful sweet snack for Welsh families over the festive season.

4. Northern Ireland: Fifteens

Northern Ireland's Christmas gatherings often feature a no-bake treat called Fifteens. These sweet, moreish bites are named after their simple recipe: 15 digestive biscuits, 15 marshmallows, and 15 glacé cherries mixed with condensed milk and coconut. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, Fifteens are a favourite at festive parties and get-togethers in Northern Ireland.

Another traditional Northern Irish Christmas food is the Christmas spiced beef, often served cold with mustard or chutney. This delicacy is made by marinating a joint of beef in a mixture of spices for up to two weeks before slow-cooking it. It’s a robust, deeply flavoured dish that's perfect for a festive buffet.

5. Ireland: Spiced Beef and Guinness Cake

Across the water in the Republic of Ireland, one of the most famous Christmas dishes is spiced beef. This centuries-old dish, particularly popular in Cork, involves marinating beef in a blend of spices (cloves, allspice, juniper, and brown sugar) for several days before slow-cooking or boiling. The result is a tender, flavour-packed joint often served cold in sandwiches or with potatoes and cabbage on Christmas Day.

For dessert, a slice of Guinness cake rounds off the meal perfectly. The dark, rich stout adds a depth of flavour to this fruit-laden cake, making it a popular alternative to the traditional Christmas pudding.

6. Cornwall: Saffron Cake

Cornwall brings a touch of golden warmth to the festive table with saffron cake. This yeasted sweet bread, spiced with saffron and filled with currants and raisins, is a traditional Cornish treat. Though it's not exclusive to Christmas, it's often made during the festive season and pairs perfectly with a cup of tea on a chilly afternoon.

Cornwall’s long-standing fishing tradition also makes stargazy pie a unique Christmas dish. Originally from the Cornish village of Mousehole, this pie features pilchards poking their heads through the pastry “gazing” skywards. While traditionally associated with the winter festival of Tom Bawcock’s Eve (just before Christmas), it occasionally finds its way onto the Christmas table.

7. The Midlands: Shropshire Fidget Pie

In the Midlands, particularly in Shropshire, you’ll find Fidget Pie making an appearance during the festive period. This traditional pie, made with ham, apples, and onions, wrapped in a flaky pastry, offers a savoury-sweet combination that is both hearty and comforting—perfect for the cold winter months.

Another Midlands speciality is pork pie, often served cold as part of a buffet or Boxing Day spread. Melton Mowbray, in Leicestershire, is famous for producing some of the best pork pies in the country.

8. The Channel Islands: Jersey Wonders

In the Channel Islands, Jersey Wonders are a traditional Christmas treat. These light, fried doughnut-like pastries are twisted into knots and served with tea. Although they’re typically enjoyed throughout the year, they hold a special place in festive gatherings, bringing a sweet, nostalgic touch to Christmas.

Conclusion

Each region across the UK and Ireland adds its own culinary flair to the Christmas season, reflecting its local produce, history, and culture. From hearty pies in Yorkshire to spiced beef in Ireland and sweet treats like Cloutie Dumpling and Bara Brith, these foods help bring families and communities together, celebrating the best of regional flavours. Whether you stick to tradition or explore a new dish from another part of the country, there’s no better way to celebrate the festive season than with a feast filled with history and flavour.

Merry Christmas, and happy feasting!

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