My favourite gift guide of the year, the foodie edition, mostly because I'm a foodie myself and Christmas is that time of year when you can eat whatever you want, no matter how odd it might be, nuts for breakfast, peaches in brandy for lunch and cheese, cheeseboards for every meal if possible, (or is that just me?)

Cotswold Green No 1, if you like gin but you don't like the headache afterwards then this particular botanic spirit is completely alcohol-free and it's perfect for parties where you may have lovely friends who don't drink or who are maybe driving, much better than the standard offerings of soft drinks.

Lost Sheep Coffee, 100% compostable capsules to fit your Nespresso machine, lots of gorgeous flavours to take you on a journey, the Funky Camper was my favourite out of the ones I tried and they also come in decaff so you can drink coffee in the evenings too.

Jo & Sephs Popcorn advent calendar from The Present Finder,  Okay so not technically for Christmas but what's not to like about having popcorn every day in advent, I'll be saving this one for myself.

Masha, the Masha potato masher claims you can make lump free mash, the best mash ever in seconds and if you have a foodie in your life, well they're going to love this, it's also great for new mums as you can use the Masha to make babyfood, you can bet mine will be reserved for mashed potato and maybe some creamed swede.

Opies, various amazing jars to make Christmas that little bit brighter, Opies make the best things and put them all together and you have a little foodies hamper for your favourite friends, this year they've released mixed berries with prosecco as well as apricots in Jim Beam as well as their tasty pickled walnuts, cocktail cherries and sliced lemons, this selection is perfect for a party night over the festive season

Rhubarb Balsamic Vinegar from Demijohn, we are firm favourites of Demijohn and their fabulous products and this year they've released a rhubarb balsamic vinegar, now I love a good balsamic vinegar and I double, triple, love Rhubarb so this is going to be amazing!

Truffled Risotto set from Sous Chef, one of my favourite companies because it's all about the foodie, this truffled risotto set is sure to make a warming evening supper during the festive season, rich, luxurious and utterly gratifying, it's like Nigella came and cooked it herself.

Beeches Chocolates Christmas selections, it's not Christmas if you can't indulge in chocolate and the Santas and snowman go perfectly with a big mug of hot chocolate whilst the chocolate selection makes the perfect small gift for teachers.

Due Vittorie Apple Cider Vinegar, we all know how amazing apple cider vinegar is, this beautiful bottle is sure to make a foodies Christmas day, just don't forget to tell them about the health benefits too

Wild Mulberry Jam, also from the Artisan Olive Oil Company is a great little stocking stuffer or you could combine the items to make a lovely foodie hamper

Kinglas Fillet, Loch Fyne, okay so I might be stretching it a little when thinking about gifts as I don't think you're going to want to put this under the tree, however, it's going to be amazing as a starter, perfect as sashimi and I can vouch for the fact that it tastes absolutely amazing, just remember to keep it in the fridge and not under the tree.

Mermaid Gin, The Isle of White Distillery.  Now have you ever seen a more beautiful bottle of gin?  I actually haven't, I literally oo' ed when I took it out of its packaging, this is a thing of beauty and will look amazing on your festive drinks trolley, oh and yes, I have a drinks trolley, don't we all these days?  Mermaid Gin is a small batch handmade gin which uses 10 botanicals including samphire and elderflower amongst other things, a suggestion if you want to really experience it as it should taste is to garnish it with sea vegetables, well that makes me want to be Ariel on a rock with a glass on the rocks!!

Truffle duo set from Aix and Terra, Christmas is a time for indulgence after all so if you want to get your truffle on, Aix and Terra have produced this duo set, small but perfectly portioned, just make sure you hide them and then you can have them all to yourself!

14 gifts your foodie friends will love for Christmas 2018

Christmas is a time for feasting, it's a time to stop worrying about the calories and for simply enjoying all that is tasty on the festive table, this is the time when our foodie friends (like me) come into our own, we prepare huge meals, we bake, we drag people off the street to try and test our latest culinary creations and so here without further ado is a whole gift guide dedicated to those foodies amongst us.

The eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted only 13 gorgeous gifts your foodie friends will love in my festive montage but that's because my 1st item was a last minute arrival and also a bit of a surprise as a huge box arrived which took me quite a while to unpack and when it did it was filled with the most glorious items all of which are perfect for any foodie kitchen.

1. Kitchenware from Typhoon

From the amazing Acacia wood chopping boards which double as small platters, to the beautifully shiny golden storage jars, Typhoon have nailed it this Christmas, these accessories will adorn all of the foodie kitchens around the nation and beyond and believe me when I say, there's nothing better than using wooden cooking utensils so go banish the plastic ones and buy something truly beautiful this year.

2 and 3.  The Salter Cook Interactive Bluetooth Kitchen Set.

Let me explain this one fully by using the words of Salter themselves, "Using Bluetooth technology, Salter Cook lets you create your own personal cookbook directly from your smartphone or tablet. Download the Salter Cook app from the App store or Google play to start converting your favourite recipes straight from the web. Salter Cook offers a fun and fast way of capturing recipes and organising them in an easy-to-follow format with step-by-step instructions – all at your fingertips! Teamed with the Bluetooth scale and thermometer, this range updates the cooking process and transforms your culinary experience.   Connect the Salter Bluetooth Cook Scale & Thermometer to the Salter Cook app to set targets direct from the recipe and see measurements on your smartphone or tablet. Don’t let the stress of cooking ruin your Christmas and let Salter Cook do all the work for you"

4. Italian Cheesemaking Kit

Ever wanted to make your own Ricotta, Mozzarella or Mascarpone?  Well now you can without any cheese-making experience whatsoever, I literally can't wait to make my own cheese and then invite people around to sample it or even just to tweet the words "Busy in the kitchen making my own Mascarpone" yes, you will be applauded by all for being quite the gastronomer.

5. Quicke's Cheese Tasting Box

Recently awarded at the world cheese awards, Quicke's cheddar is one of the most delicious cheddars out there today and now you can enjoy all of it's various flavours with this suitably fabulous cheese hamper, just remember to not eat it before you go to bed as you'll be in for a night of very weird dreams.

6. Emily Crisps

I think we'd all agree that nothing goes better with cheese than crisps and if you are so inclined this Christmas you could even make up your own Emily Crisps hamper for that fabulous friend, big packs, fruit and vegetable flavours and all suitably tasty, I know, I've sampled them.

7. Vonshef 9 piece green and brushed gold cocktail set

Now this looks like a party!  Every year I create some signature cocktails for my yearly Christmas extravaganza, I only host one party a year so it's got to be a good one.  If you're going to have a party you need a cocktail set and if you need a cocktail set this one is perfect, I shall be whizzing up a mix of my very own cocktails and yes, I might have a bit of a headache the next day but it'll be totally worth it!

8. Vonshef round cheeseboard and knife set

This year I am planning a platter to completely fill my dining table and if you are going to have platters then you need a cheeseboard, actually multiple cheeseboards, this one is a steal, it's also big enough to hold several types of cheese and the accoutrement to go with them.  The Vonshef cheeseboard is perfect for entertaining at any time of year but at Christmas it will really come into it's own.

9. Godminster cheddar and port giftset

Whilst we are on the subject of cheese, you should really be including the Godminster cheddar on your festive cheeseboards this year, they've even brought out their own star shaped version and it's as delicious as it is visually pleasing, team it with a nice glass of port and you'll easily make it through the long dark winter nights.

10. The Duppy Share Caribbean Rum

This years ultimate cocktail accessory, The Duppy Share Caribbean Rum literally makes tons of perfect cocktails you'll enjoy drinking all year around, at Christmas though it comes into it's own, its versatile, it's golden, and it's perfect for mixing with, well whatever you fancy really but i'd suggest ginger or maybe something a little warming, perfect for any party goers during the most festive season of the year.

11. Sweet Dreams Hamper from Willies Cacao

If you have a foodie friend who's never tried any of the Willies Cacao range then this is the present for them, the whole hamper is jam packaged with the best chocolate, a chocolate spread and the most divine hot chocolate for all of those festive hot chocolate needs, you've never tasted chocolate until you've tasted Willies Cacao

12. Carluccio's Il Pentolone Pasta and Sauce gift set

One of the ultimate gifts for foodie friends is to send them home with a gift set containing everything they'll need for dinner and Carluccio's have got it just right with the Il Pentolone pasta and sauce gift set several evenings meals in one box and all presented in an pleasing package to delight both the eyes and the stomachs.

13.  G and Tea Cocktail gift set

Did someone say cocktails?  I'll be sure to be serving my festive cocktails from this delightful cocktail gift set, the teapot contains a glass diffuser for all of your extra ingredients which means you can make any kind of combination of cocktails, gin infused or otherwise and if it all gets too much, you could make a lovely cup of loose leaf tea!

14. The Summerton Club subscription

Finally a subscription club we can all get on board with, searching the planet for the rare, the unusual, the finest blends of spirits from around the world that you cannot buy in this country like this whisky, divinely smooth and golden, and although it's Swedish I happen to think it could give any Scottish single malt a run for it's money.  You can sign up monthly,  bi-monthly or tri-monthly and if you sign up using the code Mandy5 you'll get £5 off your first months subscription, now that's got to be worth a go, sign up to the Summerton Club here.

I want to thank each and every company who's got involved with this years foodie gift guide, these guides literally take months to curate, the writing, the photography, this one was started in September and it's been no mean feat to find just the right products and also something for each and every budget out there so go on, go purchase your foodie friends the best of the best for gifts for this Christmas.

The 16 Gifts Your Foodie Friends Thank You For This Christmas

This weeks gift guide is for those friends we all have, you know, the foodies, the ones who love a good feast and who embrace the season with the joy and knowledge that there's nothing quite so wonderful as Christmas if you love food.  I'd have to own up and put myself firmly in that category and this year I plan to feast as often as possible without guilt and with much enjoyment.  For me food is about sharing it with the people you love, there's nothing better than a big cheese board with a cold glass of Sancerre or a tawny port after dinner with some stilton, so let me take you through 16 gifts for the foodies in your life.

1.  There's really nothing better than good charcuterie and the foodie in your life will love this selection of venison salami, pepperoni and chorizo, I actually sampled these last week along with some amazing Quickes cheddar and Cornish Brie and it was the perfect combination along with some tasty chutneys and pickles, this fabulous set with many other gourmet foodie items is available from Farm shop larder.

2. It's the perpetual debate in my house, red or brown, red or brown, well now you can have 3 essential and very tasty sauces in one big box, the breakfast sauce is like a combination of the two and absolutely delish and you also get a chip shop curry sauce and a Sunday lunch horseradish, they really are sauces for all occasions, get them from the Salubrious Sauce Company

3. Guylian Chocolates, these have been a Christmas staple at our house for many years, those Belgian chocolate seashells, I first had them many years ago and have loved them ever since, you can purchase boxes of Guylian from all good food retailers and also online at Guylian

4. The Italians are of course the original foodies, they have treats for all occasions, Baci, Turrone, Panettone, Pandoro, I could go on... until I can get to Italy for Christmas I'm just going to have to settle with gourmet food paradise Nife is Life and whilst you're there, pick me up something tasty!

5. This Coffee Gator French press is essential for good coffee, do you know the difference between a good cafetiere and a bad one?  I can tell you, coffee grains are not a nice taste so do yourself or your favourite coffee lover a big favour this Christmas and get them a new french press, not only is it going to make your coffee taste better, it's also going to keep it warmer for longer!

6.  Now for something completely different, until I tried these, I'd never even heard of the the Jujube fruit, they're also known as the red date and you can purchase them in packets for a tasty healthy snack you can keep in your desk drawer, I actually love the ones with almonds in and everyone who sampled them in my house liked them, that's a rare thing indeed!

7.  If the foodie in your life is a fan of cooking asian cuisine then  the 10 of the spices you'll need are contained in this amazing spice tin which is then lovingly wrapped in this beautiful sari wrap, your foodie friend will literally let out a whoop of joy if they get this on Christmas day, and you can get your Indian spice tin with wrap from Spice Kitchen

8. Ever since this Gianduia Hazlenut and Chocolate spread arrived from the Nut Kitchen I've wanted to open it up and stick my finger in it, so far I've managed to resist but you can bet your bottom dollar that when Christmas comes I shall be having this for breakfast spread on some brioche.

9. Sulphite allergies are no joke and there's still a lack of good companies selling alcoholic drinks with no sulphites, luckily Heavensake is a  Sake brand which has produced the most amazing sulphite free sake to be enjoyed chilled, this beautiful blue bottle is sure to be the star of the show along with any Asian feast or you might quite simply want to gift a foodie friend or provide an alternative to the normal wine offerings at your next soirée.

10. Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in a feast of festive fudge and this Copperpot originals fudge is a family business who are producing the very best in fudge, will your favourite be apple and cinnamon or Christmas spiced, I can't decide because they're both very special, why not treat yourself to some Copperpot Fudge this festive season.

11. Whilst we're on the subject of gourmet sweet treats, this marshmallow toasting box from La Maison Guimauve is the ultimate sweet treat and it's guaranteed to make cosy evenings 100% better, just make sure you share them with your small people.

12. Paxton chocolate is lovingly handmade in Brighton and you'll be guaranteed to put a smile on someones face this Christmas if you present them with this gorgeous tin of chocolate Christmas thins, they're available in small, medium and oh my goodness I couldn't possibly!

13.  Ever had a Luscombe drink?  this Christmas for the non drinkers, the drivers, the teenagers and those who just want a delicious mixer you will not get better than Luscombe drinks, I absolutely love the Damascene rose bubbly, perfect for Christmas day and the apple juice with ginger which has a really festive taste.

14.  It's true that the XL Man Box from Ross & Ross does come in a box, it's not true that it's just for men though, it's for anyone who loves charcuterie, good beer, a chutney or two and most importantly some divine pork crackling, I love the stuff and so will your foodie friend.

15. There are many gins out there this year and in real life, they come in giant bottles so although I definitely won't be overindulging on gin this Christmas you can if you want Far Reaches Gin is even available on Amazon!

16. In mentioning small but perfectly formed things, this fabulous gift set from the Lyme Bay winery is perfect for those who love a taste of perfection, with fruit wines it's nice to just have a taste without having too much and with this set it means I can afford to have one or two whilst cooking in the evening or whilst watching a movie without the worry of having too much alcohol, the sloe wine is my favourite!

This gift guide would not have been possible without the collaboration of all of the companies involved and I want to thank them for their time, effort and involvement in putting the gift guide together.