It's that time of year again when our TV screens are filled with seasonal fare designed to leave us full to bursting.

That’s all well and good, and most of it looks mighty tempting, but does the reality always live up to the hype? Branding something ‘finest’ or ‘as good as it gets’ or claiming we can ‘taste the difference’ does not necessarily make it so. At the end of the day, as good as they may be even the (highest priced) premium ranges offered by the large supermarkets have by necessity, to be ‘mass produced.’

Furthermore, as the food scandals that hit earlier this year proved, it is virtually impossible for us to know exactly where our food comes from, or indeed what goes into it.

Not so the case with our local, independent businesses.

Eric Tennant Family Butcher has been trading since 1985 and has an enviable reputation amongst both retail and catering customers for the finest quality meats and poultry.

Naturally all Eric Tennant’s meat is sourced locally from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. Eric is a Master Butcher and has a team working alongside him with a combined experience of 220 years! When you step inside Eric Tennant’s you know you will step out again with a smile and possibly a new recipe suggestion, as well as the finest local produce.

For the coming season they will be offering the best, locally sourced free range Norfolk bronze turkeys, locally sourced Norfolk White turkeys and free range geese bred just five miles from Eric Tennant’s shop! Plus for those wanting even more variety you will find cockerels and chickens, duck, guinea fowl, pheasants, venison and partridge (no pear tree I’m afraid, but nobody’s perfect!)

All turkeys are individually boxed with full cooking instructions, and there is a free £5 meat voucher with every whole Christmas Turkey bought (t&c's apply)

Please click here to read more about Eric Tennant Quality Butchers.

Lanes Bakery in Burwell near Newmarket have been producing the most delicious bread, rolls, cakes and pastries for over a century. Everything you see in store is made using traditional recipes and is freshly baked on the premises daily.

Whether it’s a lunchtime sandwich, a tea time treat or laying on a celebration spread, you can guarantee the finest and the freshest from Lanes Bakery. They will deliver to the local area so if you have workaholic tendencies you can still enjoy a fresh sandwich, pastry or cake for lunch without even leaving your desk (rather you than me!)

And if you want Lanes Bakery to cater your business lunch or Christmas do they are happy to take large orders for these events.

Please click here for more information about Lanes Bakery.

The Pantry Fine Food Shop and Eatery is an independent shop and Restaurant situated just off Newmarket High Street. The Pantry’s deli offers the very best local and British produce, with cheeses, cured meats, smoked fish and much much more. They are the perfect suppliers of quality ‘nibbles’ for your Christmas cocktail party or Boxing Day buffet, as all The Pantry’s suppliers have been carefully selected for their commitment to quality and flavour.

If you want entertaining without the effort this year why not book your Christmas party at the Pantry, Newmarket. The restaurant is renowned for serving homemade, traditional British dishes, and for Christmas chef Vincent has created an innovative menu featuring fantastic local produce such as Fordham Pork Rillettes with mulled plum chutney, trio of Bottisham Smoked Fish with Horseradish cream and Brancaster Mussel stew with leek and Suffolk Chorizo alongside their most popular dishes. What is ‘off’ the menu however, is turkey! But for those who just can’t get enough of the Christmas bird they will provide it on request.

With bar manager Adam working on some bespoke seasonal cocktails, and room to cater for both small, intimate gatherings and parties of up to 100 guests, The Pantry Fine Foods and Eatery will ensure you dine in style whether you are in your own dining room or in theirs.

Please click here for further details about The Pantry, Newmarket. 

So whilst few of us will be able to entirely avoid the trek around the supermarket for certain necessities, it’s nice to know that the really good stuff, the stuff that makes Christmas special, is right here in Newmarket.