Indulge on the best local produce at Deepdale Christmas Market this weekend.
The annual Deepdale Christmas Market returns for its ninth year this weekend. Open from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3, between 10am and 5pm, the market in Burnham Deepdale will be heaving with over 120 local artisans and producers.You definitely won't go hungry or thirsty.
Samphire
Owned and run by two local smallholders, Samphire is known for its award winning food. Rearing free range, rare breed pigs on its farm in Tibenham, the company produces delicious pies, sausages and sausage rolls, as well as some addictive chocolate tiffin.
Restaurant critic Giles Coren gave Samphire's pork pies 10 out of 10, while in 2012 the smallholding's most popular products, two flavours of pork pie and its chocolate tiffin, were each awarded a gold star in the Great Taste Awards.
pudd'Eng
A range of six delicious steamed puddings, plus a seasonal Christmas pud, make up proper English pudding company pudd'Eng's offering. Syrup, spotted dick, sticky toffee, chocolate and ale, treacle and walnut and marmalade are all classic favourites, but have each been updated with a modern twist.
So Sweet
Since it opened in 2014, So Sweet has expanded its range greatly to include all sorts of delicious treats – think chocolate, fudge, toffee, honeycomb, nut brittles, and rocky road slices. Belgian Callebaut chocolate is used as the base of all products, and brittles and toffees all made using East Anglian sugar.
Got a special occasion to cater for? The company has hundreds of chocolate moulds, meaning edible favours or gifts can be individually made and decorated for your unique taste or theme.
Norfolk Brewhouse
With a passion for great-tasting natural beer, this local brewery believes in ales and lagers that are high in quality and rich in flavour. Moon Gazer ale is available in six different styles - Golden, Amber, Ruby, Dark Mild, Gold IPA and a Gluten Free Pacific Pale Ale – while the company's lagers are carefully crafted to allow their distinctive flavour and smoothness to develop.
Many of Norfolk Brewhouse's products are multi-award winners in the Society of Independent Brewers Awards, while some of its ales have also picked up number of CAMRA and festival awards over the years.
Ollands Farm Foods
The jams, marmalades, jellies and chutneys produced by Ollands Farm Foods are all made from locally sourced fruit and vegetables wherever possible, with some even grown by owners Kim and Mary Ann themselves. Lovingly handmade on the north Norfolk coast, these preserves can be purchased by the jar, or in beautifully put together gift packs and hampers.
Bon Bakery
Made with locally sourced ingredients, Bon Bakery produces some of the finest quality biscotti and gluten-free boncotti around. Traditional, twice-baked, Italian biscotti are made with an artisan Moroccan twist, giving the biscuits a rustic look and moor-ish taste. With no egg or dairy ingredients used, they're a tasty 'free-from' treat and are available in five delicious flavours - Classic Almond, Salted Caramel, Coffee and Hazelnut, Orange Chocolate and Spiced Fruit.
There's even a new selection of authentic Moroccan couscous blends which are super versatile and very easy-to-prepare.
Gourmet Brownie
These indulgent melt-in-the-mouth confections are of exceptional quality and are baked with care, in small batches, in Gourmet Brownie's Ely-based kitchen. Whichever of the seven varieties you lock your eyes on – whether that's signature chocolate, triple chocolate, raspberry delight, orange infusion, walnut crunch, peanut butter or salted caramel – you won't be able to say no to the perfectly crisp crust and rich, gooey centre.
Norfolk Charcuterie
Selective about where its ingredients come from, Norfolk Charcuterie only uses free-range Norfolk pork, traditional-breed East Anglian beef, and venison from the Holkham Estate. All products are handmade in small batches and combine the best quality meats with freshly ground herbs and spices. The process of air-drying cannot be rushed, but the wait is worth it for the flavours that develop.
Feeling a bit peckish while wandering around the market? These street food stalls are also worth a visit.
Squilla & Squidge
Tuck into falafel and fries, as well as other delicious vegetarian and vegan food, all cooked up in a vintage VW campervan food van named Sassy Gracie. Lebanese flatbreads, halloumi salads and sweet potato fries among more, are all freshly made to order.
The Proper Pizza Co
Made by hand in the traditional Neapolitan way, these pizzas have a thin base, crispy crust, and are topped with fresh, flavoursome ingredients. Each pizza is cooked to perfection in an authentic wood-fired oven and takes only 90 seconds at 400-degree heat too, so you won't be waiting long!
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