Upmarket delicatessen Melrose and Morgan is hiding Willy Wonka-style golden tickets in its shops this Christmas - with the chance to win luxury hampers, vouchers, and chocolates.
It's all part of a seasonal offer at the luxury grocers in Primrose Hill and Hampstead, including a 'stir up Sunday' event, and a range of Christmas cakes, puddings, mince pies and traditional preserves.
From December 1, keen-eyed customers at the delis in Oriel Place or Gloucester Avenue might be able to spot golden tickets, cleverly concealed in everything from coffee sleeves to cookie boxes.
They can be redeemed for festive treats including a showstopper hamper of chocolates, bakery goods, breakfast items, champagne, sparkling wine, crackers and chutneys.
Other prizes include a gift box of sea salt caramel and praline and ganache truffles, and dark florentines; an afternoon tea hamper’ with milk chocolate honeycomb, ginger nut biscuits, strawberry jam, English honey, sour cherry granola and breakfast tea; a deluxe chocolate hamper with dark chocolate oranges and ginger, coffee dusted hazelnuts, sea salt truffles, dark chocolate florentines, praline and ganache, salted caramel almonds and chocolate shortbread; a £150 online gift voucher; and a free lunch for two at the deli counter.
The treasure hunt runs throughout December, but Melrose and Morgan kick off the festive period, with a ‘Stir-up Sunday’ workshop, inspired by the tradition of stirring the Christmas pudding before Advent begins.
On November 22 the Hampstead store will invite guests to enjoy mulled wine or prosecco, festive canapes from the Christmas menu including truffle roast potatoes, huntsman & game pie, beetroot cured gravadlax, cheese and their famed mince pies.
The hands on class with Melrose and Morgan's Mauro Faure involves learning the secret fruits and spices behind their exceptional puddings. Everyone gets to make and take home their own hand made pud, and, teaming up with surplus fabric outfit Haines, they can bundle them up into repurposed offcuts to create an eco-friendly wrapping, which can be made into a kitchen tea-towel by folding and sewing the edges.
Mauro's artisanal festive goodies this year include a ginger and cranberry or festive iced loaf cake (£16.50), nut free mince pies made with a buttery, crumbly vanilla crust filled with spiced apples, raisins, sultanas, currants and citrus peel and a glug of brandy, (£9.50) whipped Somerset cider brandy butter, (£7.50) gingerbread stars reminiscent of cosy nights spent by the Christmas tree (£5.95) and a sugar-glazed stollen with marzipan, citrus peels, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom, dipped in rum and melted butter.
“Christmas is our favourite time of year at Melrose and Morgan,” says Mauro. “We have created a luxurious and comforting assortment of goodies, from delectable nibbles to festive tipples designed to bring a sense of celebration and style to the festivities."
Stir Up Sunday starts at 6.30pm on November 22 and costs £55 including a £10 online voucher to spend at Melrose and Morgan. The golden tickets are hidden in store throughout December and Melrose and Morgan. Hampers range from £45-£595 with free delivery over £55.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here