Taste of Bath Hampers

For such a small city, Bath is a positive feast of fabulous foodie delights – and the latest dainty on offer is Taste of Bath, a brand new hamper company that throws the spotlight on all the best produce this area has to offer. It’s the brainchild of local businesswoman Helen Rich, already well known for Rich Pickings, her deeply wonderful range of terrines and pates. From sweet treats to savoury and breakfast teas to booze, the Taste of Bath website is the place to find all the best artisan food and drink made within ten miles of the city.

A few weeks ago came the much-anticipated launch, so I put on a pretty frock and found my way to a beautiful townhouse on the Paragon, one of Bath’s most famous addresses. Glowing with warmth and light from the outside, inside it was like a magic box opening up to reveal its secrets – in every room there were different goodies to uncover, a labyrinth of delicious discoveries. In the dining room, a great oak table was spread with Bath Soft Cheeses, In A Pickle chutneys and pickles, and of course, Helen’s own pate and rillettes, encircled with golden bottles of bubbly, pints of Edison and Persuasion beer served up by the Electric Bear Brewing Co, and Stoney Bonk cider from Honey’s Midford. From the kitchen, looking out onto a secret garden filled with fairy lights, drifted warm and fragrant steam from mugs filled by Henny & Joe’s Chai. Up the winding stairs was a candlelit drawing room where an appreciative audience were eagerly sampling the festive delights from Friary Liqueurs (my personal favourite was the Ginger Liqueur with whisky), Bath Harvest’s rapeseed oils infused with herbs, garlic and citrus, and Heavenly Hedgerows’ range of goodies made with ingredients foraged locally. And finally – possibly my favourite room – a small library full of sweet treats: crumbly, buttery fudge from Meg’s Cottage, pretty pastel macarons from Beth’s Bakes, and devilishly good bonbons from Choc on Choc.

All these delicacies and much more are available from Taste of Bath, all lovingly wrapped up in recycled packaging materials, presented in a beautifully stencilled apple crate (with a personal message attached as you wish – perfect for gifts) and delivered right to the door. Check out the website for more details, and yes, if anyone’s wondering, it would make the perfect Christmas present for me.

Featured image courtesy Taste of Bath

Visit her blog at www.salskitchen.blogspot.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @sal_godfrey.