Speciality Food September 2025

appetite for plant-based versions of these classics, ensuring no-one misses out on the taste of Christmas,” says Natalie. Tradition versus innovation Tradition will always form a vital part of festive celebrations, says Jo Evans, owner of Figgy’s Puddings, which has beenmaking traditional, Great Taste Award-winning puddings for almost 20 years using a family recipe. “Our Christmas puddings are about as traditional as you can get (apart from using vegetarian suet instead of beef). Fortunately, a traditional Christmas still seems to be very important to consumers.” While less classic options are making headway, there will always be an appetite for classic festive puddings – and Jo has some top advice for retailers looking to sell the very best to their customers. “As with so many traditional dishes, Christmas pudding really can’t be rushed or the result can be stodgy, dry and disappointing,” she says. “Therefore, always go for those that have been handmade and come from an artisan kitchen. That way you’ll be sure to have a Christmas pudding that reminds your customers of those their grandmother would have made, rather than disappointing supermarket stodge!” When it comes to how to sell great Christmas pud, samples are a winning technique, says Jo. “A good Christmas pudding sells itself when offered as a hot taster with clotted cream. It’s also a great winter warmer for your customers as they come in from the cold. Of course, a hot taster of quality Christmas pudding won’t just sell itself, it will also instil some extra Christmas cheer in your customers as they browse your Christmas offerings!” “For us, innovation rooted in tradition is winning,” says Natalie. “The magic of Christmas lies in familiar flavours and rituals, but as families and friends want choice at the table,” she says. “This “pick- and-mix” approach reflects how we celebrate now: more informally, more inclusively, and more flexibly. Importantly, dietary inclusivity is at the centre of this trend. Gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free bakes in classic flavours mean everyone can join in, it’s no longer about compromising taste for dietary needs.” Indeed, many festive gatherings these days involve hosting someone following a vegan diet, whichmeans stocking plant-based alternatives to classic Christmas cakes is a good move. “There’s also a growing people also want to feel surprised and delighted. That’s why we take timeless flavours; rich fruit, warming spices, chocolate-orange, and reinterpret them in ways that feel exciting for today’s celebrations. At the same time, we ensure that our specialist dietary bakes meet the same high standards as our traditional cakes, so no one feels left out of that shared festive experience. specialityfoodmagazine.com 31 CHRISTMAS 2025 THE ORIGINAL CAKE CO DELUXE FESTIVE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKES Nine individually wrapped squares of indulgent chocolate truffle cake hand decorated with an assortment o f festive decorations. originalcake.co.uk GRANDMAWILD’S STEMGINGER CAKE A deliciously rich, warm ginger sponge containing stem ginger pieces, which add to the depth of the spicy flavour. grandmawilds.co.uk FIGGY’S LUXURY HANDMAD E CHRISTMAS PUDDING Light, moist and fruity, and infused w ith a generous serving of rich cask-age d Somerset Cider Brandy and Hanlon s champion Port Stout. figgys.co.uk MARABISSI CHOCOLATE PANFORTE CAKE A dense, generously fruited tradition al Italian cake, packed with almonds, spices, fruit and cacao. Just wonderf ul with a coffee or dessert wine. justgourmetfoods.co.uk SEGGIANO CLASSIC VIN SANTO PANETTONE Handmade by a family-run bakery in Tuscany and enriched with 12% DOC Vin Santo del Chianti. seggiano.com COLE’S PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE CHRISTMAS PUDDING A rich pudding made with pear cider and candied pear. colespuddings.com RETAILER INSIGHT Annabel de Capell Brooke, general manager at Algy’s Farm Shop, says that shoppers are willing to spendmore on quality I think that people are valuing traditional more than ever, possibly because their money is tighter and they’re really having to think about their spend and avoid wastage. Our customers are still willing to spend more for quality, locally-made produce though. The Christmas puddings that we source are all locally made and have always flown off the shelf and received really, really good feedback. Customers are seeking the comforting flavours they grew up with – spices, fruit and buttery notes – with a modern flourish that sparks curiosity