Croissant butter, you said?

This week some delicious things by post and reminders of things to do and watch. Plus I have questions. And there's a gorgeous new cookbook you'll probably want.

Hi!

This week I want to let you know about a few delicious things that are now available by post, remind you of the Craft Chocolate Fair this weekend and of some things I put on social media that you might like to see, and there’s a gorgeous new book for your shelves!

You’ll also see another email soon that’s for paid subscribers only, sharing the 15 most interesting things I tried at the Plant Based World Expo.

If you are a paid subscriber, don’t forget the monthly chat is this coming Monday 4th at 8pm! Looking forward to chatting with you! 🥰

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I have a question for all of you:

Any specific things you’d like me to discuss or people/types of people you’d like to hear from?

It’s just an idea at the moment. I was thinking I could do interviews as an Instagram live and maybe be able to put the transcript on here, or just email a few questions to the interviewee for them to write - or voice memo - their answers.

Last year I recorded a podcast asking some of my food industry friends to share which Instagrammable Food they thought was Worth the Hype. That was fun.

The link goes to the list and links to the podcast if you’d like to listen.

I also interviewed Bettina Campolucci Bordi about working as a retreat chef and Safia Shakarchi about working as a food photographer. (These are YouTube links but you’ll find them on Apple and Spotify as podcasts as well.)

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Mince Pie season is upon us!

Most bakeries try to hold back until 1st December, but you know they’ve been in stores for a while now, plus I found them last night in two local bakeries.

What are your thoughts?

Feel free to vent or wax lyrical 😄:

Around this time last year, I was graciously joined by food writer Felicity Cloake and chef Calum Franklin to assess some of London’s mince pies, including a few available more widely (M&S and Riverford).

Some of them might have changed their recipes for this year, but Calum shares some great tips if you’re planning to make some so it’s worth watching for that!

Here’s last year’s post about it with the full list of what we tried (paid subscribers only): https://jenniferearle.substack.com/p/a-mince-pie-podcast-episode

It’s free to watch here:

Have you tried any mince pies yet? Please let me know, if you have, what you think about them!

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Some delicious products available by post

Pollen Bakery croissant butter

Pollen Bakery have dropped jars of Croissant Butter - caramelised white chocolate with croissant flakes. 😍 I don’t often share things I haven’t tried, but I’m intrigued and so far it’s sold out. Thought I’d tell you anyway!

https://pollen-bakery-webshop.myshopify.com/collections/provisions

It’s £9.50.

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Pump Street Chocolate Golden Tickets

Pump Street have announced Golden Tickets will be hidden in ten of the bars sold between this Monday gone and December 15th. The recipients will get a tour of the factory. Genius. Especially with the launch of the new Willy Wonka film next Thursday.

Are you going to see it?

https://pumpstreetchocolate.com

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Le Choux Cookies & Chocolate by post

Le Choux are now selling their brilliant, fully loaded cookies and chocolate products (the rochers!) by post.

This is the gianduja cookie (pic from @lechouxlondon Instagram):

https://lechouxlondon.com/collections/postal

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Dina Begum’s Made in Bangladesh book

OK, this is a book, not edible. But it’s so pretty!

I hope you’re impressed I also dressed to match the book cover.😁 Let’s ignore (and not tell my mum) that I didn’t brush my hair. 😂 🤫

The photography in this book is genuinely quite breathtaking, shot on location in Bangladesh. There are stories as well as recipes, making it the most beautiful coffee table book that you’ll also actually use.

You can buy it on Amazon here or on Bookshop.org here.

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Here’s a little look inside Pomme Bakery

This was my second visit to this Hoxton bakery that opened in August and I finally got to meet and chat with the gorgeous owner and baker, Ivie (pronounced E-V-A) Egonmwan.

You can see the same video on Instagram or TikTok.

All the details are in the caption on all three.

Get the chocolate babka.

📌 68 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP

NEAREST STATION: Hoxton (overground)

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If you’ve thought about writing a Substack - you could just share one photo or one paragraph with each post - then here’s a link to get you started and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

That’s it for this week!

See you in the comments? Here are some questions to get you started:

1. Mince pies I’ve had / am looking forward to having (from a particular supermarket or bakery)

2. Where are you most excited about eating? (not necessarily from my emails!)

3. What’s on your Christmas wish list (i.e. please give us gifting ideas!)

I’ll go first.

lots of love,

Jen xx