Christmas Organic Food, Wine
and Travel

Christmas at Borough Market
Organic & Biodynamic Food- Journalist and organic champion Alison jane Reid at the Oliveology Stall, Borough Market.

Organic and slow food lovers, are you sitting comfortably? December is a marvellous time of year to jump off the merry go round, and feed your heart and mind with the food as medicine benefits of languorous, decadent cooking from scratch and to attend a food feast or two with the very best organic, biodynamic and slow food producers. First, I urge you to ditch soulless supermarkets and run away to market! Rub shoulders with the producers who made your food, talk to them, make friends, eat al fresco, taste and smell everything!

La Reinette du Canada organic apples from a local nunnery on the South Coast of England.

Then, seek out the best seasonal ingredients from truffles to aged feta, duck to proper English apples, quinces, root vegetables, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and the sweetest wild seafood from day boats based around Mull, the Outer Hebrides and the south coast. The best part is the hunter-gatherer, foodie treasure hunt. Food is life and it should be a treasure hunt of infinite and delicious possibilities according to nature’s pantry. Let me show you how.

Greek Organic Christmas Feast
Guests Enjoying a sumptuous Christmas Feast Made from Organic Leftover Food Ingredients by Oliveology at Borough Market

Truffles, Tea and Good Olive Oil

Perhaps, it is time to get lost a little, to make an unhurried trip to a wonderful open-air organic food market like Borough or the Oval or the farm shop you stumbled upon one Sunday after getting very, very lost and squabbling over the sat nav and the failure of technology! What is wrong with map reading? So, how about Christmas tea and cake in a re-wilded Biodynamic garden and the chance to pick up a box of the freshest, rainbow winter vegetables, some biodynamic steak and avoid the supermarket scrum this year?

Organic & Biodynamic Food – Discover the best organic producers from across Britain at Borough Market, London.

A Cornucopia of Christmas Food

This is the time to sip spicy, sweet single estate hot chocolate as you wander around a cornucopia of colourful stalls, brimming with fat, hand-dived scallops and creamy crab from Dorset, blood oranges from Valencia, wild game from Northumberland, chocolates from Sussex, raw olives from Crete and handmade, sticky organic Christmas stollen from London’s Hackney.

Celebrate Christmas Like a Caveman or Woman!

Organic Mulled Wine
Seasonal Organic Mulled Wine – Photo by Hannah Pemberton

It’s a moment to revel and ponder the extraordinary array of ingredients brought to us by the farmer, fisherman, forager, and small, artisan producer at this special time of year. It’s also a moment to give thanks for their passion and commitment to real food, nature and the preservation of the land and ecosystems that sustain us.

A winter's evening in Piccadilly Circus, London. Image by Maya Nabrowski from Pixabay.
A winter’s evening in Piccadilly Circus, London for the Christmas Organic Food Wine & Travel column. Image by Maya Nabrowski from Pixabay.

What will you deliberate over and buy to transform into your slow, festive Xmas organic and biodynamic feast in a spirit of celebration, warmth, wonder, and gratitude? Half the fun is in tracking down some wonderful herbs, a prettily packaged box of handmade chocolates and an interesting bottle of English sparkling wine to go with your slow-grown turkey.  

A woman picks from the fresh vegetables available at a winter market. Photo by Tembela Bohle from Pexels.
A woman picks from the fresh vegetables available at a winter market. Photo by Tembela Bohle from Pexels.

Real Food to share with lovers, family, and friends old and new as we revisit time-honoured seasonal recipes and explore new foodie ideas for our delight on snowy cold winter nights and when all becomes hushed and still for the real spirit of Christmas.

Cook and Cocoon!

To take the guesswork out of creating an organic and biodynamic Christmas, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are some best-kept secret biodynamic, organic and artisan producers for turkey, other festive meat, the very best wine the world has to offer and more.

Organic Festive Cocktails
Christmas Cocktails and Organic Sparkling Wine. Photo Brooke Lark

Biodynamic Food & Drink
Ideas

The best organic and biodynamic wine for Christmas and the new year…

Did you know there’s a growing buzz around biodynamic wine and its benefits? Many of the world’s leading chefs and their sommeliers now favour Biodynamic wine for quality, provenance, and sustainability.

Where to buy biodynamic wines?

Winners of the International Wine Challenge
“The ‘International Wine Challenge’ is the most respected wine competition in the world. In this year’s competition the red wine, Château l’Hospitalet 2017, produced by biodynamic and Demeter certified wine grower Gérard Bertrand, won the title of finest red wine in the world.” Photo courtesy of the Biodynamic Association.

The Most Delicious Biodynamic Produce

Chef Skye Gyngell. Portrait by Amber Rowlands
Chef Skye Gyngell, 2019’s ‘Female Chef of the Year’, for the Christmas Organic Food Wine & Travel column. Portrait by Amber Rowlands

The world’s top Chefs – including the female chef of the year Skye Gyngell know biodynamic produce is the best for nutrition and taste For turkey of exceptional flavour and provenance try Hungary Lane Farm’s Biodynamic – Demeter Certified proper free-range, naturally maturing Turkeys. They are available in a range of sizes from 3.5kg up to 8kg, delivered on Christmas Eve by APC for £17.50/kg. Biodynamic Christmas Turkey.

To order yours, email Bradley at bradley.hungarylanefarm@myphone.coop

A farmer stands with an organic and biodynamic rafter of turkeys at Hungary Lane Farm.
A rafter of turkeys from Hungary Lane Farm in Sutton Bonnington for the Christmas Organic Food Wine & Travel column. Photo courtesy of The Biodynamic Association and Hungary Lane Farm.
Freshly butchered organic and biodynamic meat from Tablehurst Farm.
Organic & Biodynamic Food- Freshly butchered meat from Tablehurst Farm. Photo courtesy of Tablehurst Farm.

For other festive organic meat, especially Biodynamic beef or lamb Tablehurst Farm is the best. Then don’t forget the cheese course, some sumptuous chocolate, and some of the most exquisite biodynamic tea on the UK market. (The editor’s favourite).

For a festive day out and the chance to pick up some biodynamic food supplies amid a wonderful garden, make a beeline for Waltham Place.

Organic fresh fruit preserves. Photo courtesy of Pixabay from Pexels.
Stock up on your favourite preserved fruits for winter from Waltham Place. Photo courtesy of Pixabay from Pexels.

Waltham Place Farm Christmas Shop is open Friday 20th December 3-6 pm. “Come and celebrate the festive season with mulled wine and mince pies, carol singing, and of course, delicious biodynamic food produced here at Waltham Place. Stock up on preserves, chutneys, and homegrown vegetables, or sample their grass-fed lamb, frozen grass-fed beef and apple juice. Also available, books, wool, and copper tools for those last-minute gifts. Venue: The Tearoom, Waltham Place, Church Hill.”

A view of the hedges and autumn plants at the Long Border Garden at Waltham Place. Photo courtesy of Waltham Place.
These beautiful hedges sit in Waltham Place’s Long Borders garden. Photo courtesy of Waltham Place.

Tea, Cake, and Christmas Produce

As a journalist and life-long real food lover, I have been known to cross the city if not oceans, in search of a magical food ingredient, the freshest rainbow fish or an organic store cupboard ingredient from far-flung lands.

An organic olive branch from Oliveology's farm in Sparta, Greece.
Organic & Biodynamic Food – An olive branch from Oliveology’s farm in Sparta, Greece. Photo courtesy of Oliveology.

So it was one night in early December, when I set off to attend a ‘Christmas Rescued’ feast at the invitation of Oliveology, made entirely from food waste at one of London’s most ancient food markets – Borough Market.  Did you know there has been a market in one form or another on the banks of the Thames for a thousand years?

OIiveology is a bijou artisan organic and Greek food producer, specialising in high- quality olive oils, culinary olives, wild herbs, teas and high-quality ingredients for the food lovers’ pantry.

After something of an epic train journey from the wilds of Berkshire to Bermondsey, I arrived at Oliveology’s railway arch warehouse in Spa Terminus which had been transformed into a twinkling candlelit bothy and a somewhat surprising haven from a bitter December winter night.

Organic Greek Food Fit for the Gods!

Guests at Oliveology Food Feast
A Greek Christmas Food Feast Made from Leftover Organic Ingredients from Borough Market by Oliveology

Inside a handsome long table beckoned, simply and invitingly dressed with regional Greek wines from cottage-industry producers, single estate extra virgin olive oil and vinegar and jewel-coloured platters piled high with all the treasures of a well-stocked organic winter larder.

Chestnuts, Figs & Manouri Cheese

The stars of the feast – a platter piled high with bright, jewel-green roasted sprouts and alluring, opulent salads fit for Anthony and his Cleopatra including bulgur festooned with chestnuts and cranberries and a green salad made plump with dried baby figs and subtle, tangy manouri cheese. The only dish that slightly disappointed was the slow-roasted pork with honey, mustard, and citrus fruit. It was a tad dry rather than melt in the mouth delicious. Pudding redeemed an otherwise excellent meal with a delicate Galzomizithra and manouri mousse with sour cherries jelly and quince sauce.

Traditional organic Greek food served family style. Photo by Kaboompics.com from Pexels.
Traditional Greek food served family–style for the Christmas Organic Food Wine & Travel column. Photo by Kaboompics.com from Pexels.

I arrived at the dinner absolutely knowing no one, and left having struck up several animated conversations with my fellow guests. Nothing beats the opportunity to sit at a convivial communal table sharing the best organic and sustainable food and wine and good conversation.

Food as Medicine Organic Olive Oil

As the feast drew to a close, I chatted with the founder and chef, Lida Papamatthaiaki, at Oliveology about the slow, organic food movement and left with a bottle of food as medicine olive oil with oregano to drizzle on salads and bread.

Organic olive oil and fresh baked bread presented with basil, rosemary, and garlic. Photo by Dana Tentis from Pexels.
A staple to any Mediterranean diet – olive oil and freshly baked bread. Photo by Dana Tentis from Pexels.

For more info and to visit Oliveology at Borough Market  –

Monday-Saturday every week.
Located in Unit 43, 3 Crown Square
Mon-Thu 10 am-5 pm,
Fri 10-6 pm.
Sat 8am-5pm.
Closest tube: London Bridge

Stop Press – Would you like to come to an exclusive organic dinner at Oliveology to support our social enterprise magazine? Please let us know by Twitter @EthicalHedMag or email us – ethicalhedonistmagazine@gmail.com.

Snow in the City
Snow in a city street – Photo by Craig Whitehead

Romance, Biodynamic Wine and Regional Italian Cuisine at Ruchetta in Wokingham

If you live in Berkshire or anywhere near the market town of Wokingham, and you yearn to graze like an Italian on the slow food of Italy sourced with passion and attention to the little details, from the very best small organic and biodynamic producers, then beat a path to pretty, twinkly Ruchetta on the town’s prettiest street, Rose Street.

A basket of foraged mushrooms. Photo by Irina Iriser from Pexels.
Foraged mushrooms make for a rich and unique addition to any pasta dish or simply sautéed in butter and garlic with a side of bread. Photo by Irina Iriser from Pexels.

This week I dined like a queen on the best mushroom bruschetta outside of ancient Rome and the dark chocolate cake with homemade Chantilly cream (yes, really) would please any seasoned organic lady who lunches in all the best places. Yet my pleasure in this best-kept secret culinary gem was quite unexpected.

Bruchetta Worthy of Ancient Rome

Despairing at the lack of good independent restaurants in the town, I booked an impromptu table to have dinner with a close friend, with little expectation that the evening would be memorable, apart from the company!

An organic northern Italian sparkling wine, the Ferrari Maximum Brut.
Organic & Biodynamic Food – A dry and elegant sparkling wine with the typical fruity notes of Chardonnay, the Ferrari Maximum Brut is a crowd-pleaser for all your holiday gatherings.

How lovely to be surprised and captivated by a robust, melt in the mouth, lobster ravioli washed down by a delightful glass of elegantly dry Biodynamic Prosecco – Ferrari Maximum Brut (£19.50) – knocking the spots of the French by taking sparkling wine producer of the year 2019 at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine Championships.

Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year

The ingredients shine at Ruchetta, along with the execution. It is exciting to meet a chef-patron who cares so deeply about the provenance of the food he serves. Heck, he even forages his own mushrooms and the eggs come weekly from Italy! The dining room is delightfully unhomogenised, the atmosphere low key, intimate and charming without in any way being cute. One note of caution. If you want sophistication, alchemy and new ideas, this is not the right place for you. Ruchetta is about provenance and love for the land and its riches.

The interior of Ruchetta in Wokingham, Berkshire. Photo courtesy of Ruchetta.
The interior of Ruchetta in Wokingham, Berkshire for the Christmas Organic Food Wine & Travel column. Photo courtesy of Ruchetta.
A piece of tiramisu on a brown and yellow plate. Image by pastel100 from Pixabay.
Organic & Biodynamic Food – This classic Italian dessert is a favourite of our Editor-in-Chief, Alison Jane. Image by pastel100 from Pixabay.

The ultimate test came when I ordered tiramisu for pudding. I have been disappointed more times than I care to remember. This time, Angelo’s tiramisu was just the right concoction of fluffy, silken, gooey mascarpone, bitter chocolate and decadently pleasing, liqueur soaked sponge. All the elements were just right! 

Real Afternoon Tea Hotspot

Ruchetta is a gem of an Italian restaurant to adopt and patronise for unpretentious, authentic regional Italian food using organic, biodynamic and wild food ingredients. It is isn’t fine dining and it isn’t about trendy Italian food or innovation, it’s about real food treated with respect.

La Dolce Vita Afternoon Tea

Now, this delightfully real Italian is open for lunch, coffee, tea, and la dolce vita patisserie on Thursday and Friday only – a pleasant spot for a slow lunch or afternoon tea to linger over. Ask for the orange and almond cake made with the ground almonds or an authentic éclair made by a specialty French pâtissier in Reading – it’s really rather good – and where else would the cream be homemade?

Ruchetta is open Tuesday – Saturday and reservations can be made by calling  0118 978 8025 or emailing angelo@ruchetta.com.

Ruchetta is located at – 6 Rose Street, Wokingham, Berkshire,  RG40 1XU

And finally, here are some last-minute biodynamic Christmas Gift ideas with a difference.

Six Biodynamic Gifts that Keep on Giving

Christmas Gifts
Organic Christmas Gifts Wrapped Simply in Brown Paper – Photo by Nathan Lemon

A little girl inspects an indoor greenhouse at Chelsea Physic Garden. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Physic Garden.
Growing organically indoors is not as hard as you think. Stay tuned for more details of events at Chelsea Physic Garden, Heckfield Place, Waltham Place, and more! Photo courtesy of Chelsea Physic Garden.

Love our good journalism and storytelling? Read more like this feature on the best biodynamic and organic events in our Organic Hotlist – for November + December and then discover how you can support our organic magazine and our paid internships with the story of our organic magazine circular t-shirts in collaboration with Teemill.

A model wears the fitted 'Don't Preach Sustainability, Inspire It' t-shirt made in collaboration between Teemill and Ethical Hedonist. She is outdoors in front of tall trees with tall grass in front of her.
A model wears the fitted ‘Don’t Preach Sustainability, Inspire It’ t-shirt made in collaboration between Teemill and Ethical Hedonist.

Written and edited by Editor-in-Chief and The Organic Girl Reporter, Alison Jane Reid.
Layout, research, and additional editing by Gwynnie Duesbery. Gwynnie recently completed her joint BA(Hons) in Media + Communications and Sociology at Kingston University London after interning with Ethical Hedonist for the past year. Support Gwynnie as our very first paid editorial assistant by pledging to our @patreon campaign, buying our organic magazine t-shirts, donating to our Paypal or hiring us to put some stellar stardust into your ethical storytelling.