Tis the season to eat loads…

Party swing is cranking up and of course foodies everywhere love this time of year because its by far the easiest time to be reet gluttonous and get away with it. Another mince pie? Just one more glass of mulled wine? Well, it is Christmas…

And of course, Leicester is embracing this with full gusto. We love food and we love celebrations, so here is a round up of some of the highlights of fun stuff that you’ve got to look forward to this month! It’s not all dull-as-dishwater turkey dinners and crackers with shoehorns in them!

Throughout December
Festive Afternoon Tea
1901 – The Turkey Cafe, Granby Street

As well as an absolutely corking selection of festive cocktails on offer at 1901 (pay particular attention to the After Eight, made in collaboration with the masters of the Leicester chocolate scene, Cocoa Amore) they are also offering a festive afternoon tea. Last year we memorably experienced super-cute reindeer cookies and a cocktail made with the most weirdly delicious sage and onion syrup, so this is definitely something for the committed foodie to keep an eye out for.

That is a cocktail, served in a chocolate sphere. Yes.

Sunday 4th December
Clarendon Park Christmas Fair
Queens Road and Clarendon Park

50 stalls selling crafts, gifts and homemade food – there’s bound to be something to suit.

Tuesday 6th December
Ex Cathedra: Christmas Music by Candlelight
St James the Greater

An atmospheric concert of old favourites and more modern interpretations of songs of the season. Tickets are priced between £15 and £30 and can be obtained by booking the Parish Office on 0116 254 2111. Clearly there isn’t necessarily any food connection here, but you’ve got to have some carols at Christmas. I’m sure they’ll crack open the mince pies at some point.

Tuesday 13th December
Gelato Bites: The Bee Farmer
Gelato Village, 2 St Martins

An informal talk about his adventures in bee-keeping, Leicestershire’s The Bee Farmer will be introducing his fantastic local produce and three specially developed tastings will give you the chance to see how this honey adds something special to Leicester’s only real artisan gelato. Tickets are £10 and can be booked online.

Wednesday 14th December
4 Course Christmas Tasting Menu
33 Cank Street

The last in a series of 3 weekly events, with the menu based around the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy four beautifully presented courses from chef Ben Martin, matched with creative cocktails developed with a dash of the Canksters usual flair. This menu will see Tickets are £40 per person, call 0116 251 9994 or email info@bar33cankstreet.com to reserve one of the spots – only 25 seats are available!

Image courtesy of 33 Cank Street

Saturday 17th December
Illuminated Boat Festival
Foxton Locks

A great Christmassy event with an illuminated boat procession, Santa boat cruises and a lantern making workshop, all topped off with a firework display. A great day out for the family as usual from Foxton Locks. Again, I’m sort of breaking with the foodie thing here (and to be honest, the food choice down there is not really earth-shattering) but boats! Christmassy boats!

Saturday 17th December
Local Wine Tasting
Needle & Pin, Loughborough

Sample the delights of Rothley Wine Estate in the cosy surroundings of Loughborough’s best micropub. Micro by name, micro by nature so make sure you get in there quickly otherwise you might find you’re tasting wine outside on the road…

Friday 23rd December
Christmas Eve Eve Lucha Lock-In
Bodega, St Martins Square

Bodega are holding a pre-Chrimbo fiesta with shooters and cocktails galore, a live DJ and a Christmas jumper-off – all backed up of course by their own brand of South American cuisine.