Strictly BRITISH food has the X Factor this Autumn.  Great British food television programmes, revivals, bake offs, celebrity cook books and supermarket advertisements are all thrusting the spotlight onto our national produce.  So be on trend this Christmas and buy your loved ones the best of British.

Actually, it is more important than ever to share our love of British food and to pass the edible message on.  I was astonished last week when talking to a highly educated professional.  He expressed surprise that the Union Jack on a packet of bacon meant the product was British.  He thought the national flag was just a brand logo.  Or that it had something to do with the Olympics.  Give me strength, I thought, as I explained our superior welfare standards in our bacon production line.

It is vital that the British food renaissance that is taking place is not just a flash in the pan. This can't just be a national diet fad that we will tire of eventually.  Long after the British Olympic logo has faded and the Union Jack duvet covers have been relegated to the back of the airing cupboard, we must still be buying British bacon, munching British apples and baking British potatoes.  For, by continuing to question and educate ourselves about the provenance of the food we eat, we care for our environment, our pockets and our waist lines. 

One way we can encourage each other to CONSUME British is to GIVE British produce this Christmas. British produce makes top-quality, satisfying presents.  Let's face it we're all over-run with clutter, so far better to give or receive something deliciously consumable, that won't be sold on E-bay 5 minutes after opening.  How inspiring to be given an asparagus crown, for example,  to start you on your path of grow-your-own self sufficiency for 2012.  Forget annual magazine subscriptions as festive gifts, how about monthly veg/meat or fish boxes instead? Farmison is a website dedicated to sending British artisan food direct to your door.  If you're feeling frugal how about making some homemade mincemeat or mint sauce for loved ones.  The effort made far outweighs the cost behind it.

Food hampers have been a popular Christmas present for over a hundred years.  Most of us can't fund a Fortnums feast for our family but that shouldn't prevent anyone from making up their own version.  Some tried and tested content suggestions are:

Pies.  The Venison Game pie with Cranberry and Rosemary from Field and Forman or the Ham Hock and Pea pie from Tom's Pies would make fantastic gifts. Or go for a true traditional British Pork Pie from Mrs King's Pies.

Some pheasant sausages from Winston Churchill Venison make a game adaptation of a national favourite.

The fantastic Patchwork Pâté, produce an amazing array of pâtés, quiches and tarts from deep in the Welsh countryside.  The Duck Liver Pâté with Apricot Brandy comes highly recommended.  Chicken Pâté  from Brookland White Artisan Poulterer is similarly sublime. Whether you are vegetarian or not, the mushroom pâté from Pâté Moi is deliciously rich and satisfying. 

Loch Duart Hot Smoked Salmon is sensational. As a speciality you could buy some locally harvested native oysters from the Maldon Oyster Company. Or try Lancashire based, Southport Potted Shrimps, which are produced from Brown Shrimps fished by James Peet and his family.

Cheese makes a fantastic present.  An example of another British blue cheese, aside from Stilton, is Cornish Blue.  For a blast of cheddar try Barber's 1833 Vintage Reserve Cheddar.  The Little Black Bomber cheddar from the Snowdonia Cheese Company is also fantastic. The creamy vintage Godminster cheddar, which you can buy encased in burgandy heart shaped wax makes a romantic foodie gift. Cambus O'May is a great Scottish handmade cheese from Royal Deeside, whilst if you are looking for a  traditional Cheshire cheese try one from H S Bourne.

The fabulous Champagne and Tarragon Mustard is just one example of the array of delicious British condiments from The Relish In Spice Company. For a touch of spice give some Chilli Jam from the South Devon Chilli Farm. Halen Môn's Anglesey Sea Salt makes a fantastic gift. Cold British turkey would taste even more superior with a dollop of Mrs Huddleston's Redcurrant and Cranberry Jelly with Port. Similarly, give a salmon or trout lover some Dill & Lemon Zest mayonnaise from Cassons English Herbs, as it makes the perfect accompaniment. For any British apple based jam, chutney or jelly try Clippy's Apples. You can't beat the delicious gift of honey from a British honey producer such as Chain Bridge Honey Farm.

For liquid refreshment, try English Potato Vodka from Williams Chase Distillery or Knight's Gin made from Scottish raspberries, or a bottle of  Old Berkshire from The Lambourn Valley Cider Company, or some Sloe Brandy made with Yorkshire sloes by SLOE Motion.  For a non-alcoholic suggestion give some elderflower bubbly from Devon based company Luscombe.

As for puddings, give a loved one a Sticky Toffee Pudding from Burtree Puddings or a traditional Christmas pudding handmade by Sandra McLaren. The Proof of the Pudding's syrup sponge cake is also utter heaven.  Little Barn Limited is a small artisan bakery company based in Harrogate that uses the best of Yorkshire produce to create tubs of ready to bake cake mixes, which make a really fun present.

Scour our previous producers of the month - Bath Soft Cheese, a box of Summerdown mints, some pheasant salami from the Deeside Smokehouse would all make fantastic and welcome gifts this Christmas.

You could theme your food presents.   You could make the ultimate British breakfast kit with locally sourced eggs and bacon and speciality black pudding from somewhere like Sillfield Farm and Cornish Hogs Pudding from the Primrose Herd.

The best bit about going to local farmers markets, farm shops and delicatessens to source presents is that you should be able to try before you buy.  Has Christmas shopping ever been this much fun?  When else does the act of giving enable you to indulge at the same time.  And you are not only showing great taste in giving such fantastic and thoughtful presents but you are also supporting your local producers and giving them a festive boost this winter.  Pass the message on and buy and give British produce this Christmas.

Let us know if you agree with The Sauce by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it