Christmas in July: Harvey Nichols and Carluccio's

It’s always Christmastime here in tikichrisland. Even in July. No, not really, but as dinosaur magazine publishers who plan their content seasons ahead of time still seem to lead the way when it comes to press events, summer is the festive season for many businesses that bank on making some moola in December.

Not a problem for me, though. In fact, it’s an excellent excuse to nibble on some tasty treats and see what’s up with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Eat.

Two Xmas press events I hit this week were the Harvey Nichols Christmas in July show and the Carluccio’s Christmas Press Event. Yum. Here are the highlights worth waiting a few months to try …

Of all the yummies I sampled at the Harvey Nics do, what I loved loved LOVED the most were Lakrids by Johan Bülow. I’m not sure what’s available at HN now and what’s on reserve until Christmas, but these gourmet liquorices from Denmark are amazing. I’ve never really been a fan of white chocolate or raspberries, but mix the two with some liquorice and – wow! I can’t get enough.

I also really liked jax coco 100% pure coconut juice. No not especially Christmasy and yes it’s already available in store now. The price for a 250ml bottle comes in at under two quid!

Love Drinks’ portfolio of premium, craft produced or family owned spirits, liqueurs and craft beers impressed as well. I was already a buyer of Gosling’s and El Dorado rums. Now I’ll be on the lookout for Einstök Icelandic brewed beers.

Peppermongers. They are what they say and offer an impressive range of the world’s best peppers: Tellicherry black pepper, Indonesian long pepper, Javanese Cubeb and Sichuan flower pepper. Hip to all the coffee and fine chocolate snobbery wafting through the London foodie scene? These guys apply the same exacting principles to this very common seasoning.

But that’s just half of this summertime carol of Yuletide delights. Carluccio’s held their Christmas Press Show this week as well. Showcasing a brilliant range of gift boxes, cakes, biscuits and confectionary exclusive to the winter months, the event marked an opportunity for me to tell the world (or at least those who think they have to spend money buying me Christmas prezzies) the following:

There’s no need to wrack your brain trying to come up with something novel to give me. Just grab whatever looks the most eye catching and is within your price range at your local Carluccio’s. You don’t even have to wrap it.

A “Sapore di Tartufo” gift box (£22.95), a panettone tradizionale (1kg, £16.95) or some roccette would do nicely please.