Christmas culinary tips from the experts

It’s a very similar story of culinary conscience up the road from Coutts London HQ at Fortnum & Mason.

The luxury brand’s CEO Ewan Venters says, “Sustainability and more conscious consumption continue to be key themes. There’s a movement towards buying less but buying better – whether it’s food, fragrance or fashion. Customers want to know where and by whom their produce was made.

“Customers are asking more questions and expect a sense of story, provenance and traceability – all things Fortnum’s has long celebrated.”

Ewan adds that people are more thoughtful when it comes to the packaging too.

He says, “The ‘Long Love Fortnum’s’ campaign, which launched earlier this year, showed customers reusing Fortnum’s iconic packaging and finding uses for our jars, ceramics, tins and hampers throughout the home. I think this nicely demonstrates a wider shift away from the more throw-away behaviour that’s characterised the last decade.”

Festive freebies

Both The Vintner and Fortnum’s provide gifts for the THANK YOU FROM COUTTS reward scheme for Silk cardholders, which sees clients collect ‘Coutts Crowns’ when they use a Coutts Silk Card or Coutts Debit Card. Those Crowns can be redeemed for a range of special gifts or a charity donation.

Tom says being on the scheme is very special for his suppliers, particularly when it comes to getting their name known in the UK capital.

“For the wine growers around the world we work with, London is quite possibly the hardest, most competitive market to get into,” he says. “It is already awash with fine wines.”

He adds: “We tell them that the best way to raise their profile among wine lovers in the capital is to get on the THANK YOU FROM COUTTS programme."

What’s hot this Christmas?

So what should people consider buying this festive season?

Ewan says hampers are more popular than ever, especially when they’re personalised.

“Hampers are set to have another record year – with the Classic Christmas & Grosvenor bestsellers so far,” he says. “Fortnum’s continues to see customers going for bespoke options, taking the time to put together someone’s favourite Fortnum’s products, creating something really thoughtful.”

And when it comes to wine, Tom believes two countries to consider for exciting new wines are South Africa and Portugal.

In his view, “South Africa is one of the most exciting countries for producing wine right now. And Portugal is developing a well-deserved reputation for delicious wines that aren’t necessarily going to break the bank. Either would go very nicely with your turkey and all the trimmings this year.”

Fortnum and Mason has created a Christmas hamper exclusive to THANK YOU FROM COUTTS. Hurry though, stocks are limited. Across all THANK YOU FROM COUTTS gifts, the last day to order for guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas is Sunday, 15 December.