FOODIE FOCUS
’Tis the season to be hungry! Elouise Hobbs has a list (and she’s checking it twice) of the foodie festivities happening across south Wales this Christmas.
Fermented Food Workshop, The Swansea Wellbeing Centre, Sun 1 Dec
The Christmas period is usually one of excess and overindulgence, so this course on the basics of fermenting food is the perfect opportunity to counteract some of that festive food-related guilt. Run by Aoife and Jon, the co-founders of Gut Instinct, the course will guide participants through all techniques needed to start fermenting for yourself. There will be opportunities to get hands-on and everything from airtight containers to vegetables and spices will be provided to ensure that you are able to make a delicious treat to take home. For lunch, there will be a fermented feast, including sauerkraut, fermented vegetables, hot sauce and nut cheese, alongside sourdough bread. Hot and fermented drinks like kefir and kombucha will also be available to try.
Tickets: £55. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Wild Nights Charity Palestinian Supper, Wild Thing, Cardiff, Fri 6 Dec
If you’re tired of roast dinners and looking for something to excite your tastebuds, this evening event might be for you. Comprising a three-course vegan feast celebrating the food of Palestine, guests can expect to enjoy traditional foods such as tabbouleh (a herby bulgur salad), pumpkin kibbeh (traditional croquettes) and, for dessert, mhalabiyeh (milk pudding – coconut milk in this case – with cranberries). The event is also supporting charity SkatePal, which supports young people in Palestine through skateboarding.
Tickets: £30. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Christmas At The Castle, Witches And Wizards Afternoon Tea, St Donat’s Castle, nr Llantwit Major, Sun 15 Dec
Do you believe in magic? Well, this mystical event might convince even the toughest of sceptics. Beginning with afternoon tea, guests can expect to enjoy spellbinding sandwiches, bewitching treats and devilish cakes, all served in the wondrous setting of the 12th-century Great Dining Hall in St Donat’s Castle. This is followed by a screening of a magical film in the Tythe Barn cinema, included in the ticket price.
Tickets: £22.95/£15.95 kids. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Hive Dine, Noël, Y Stordy, Roath, Cardiff, Sat 21 Dec
Hive, a pop-up restaurant which has gained acclaim for their unique take on slow, seasonal dining, are returning to Y Stordy for their special Christmas event. Focusing on artisanal food from specialist and local producers, diners can expect to enjoy pairings such as Medjool dates with Welsh bacon and Welsh winter truffle with Grana Padano. While most of the menu is being kept secret until the night, Hive will be working with local brands like The Bottle Shop, Pettigrew Bakery and Blaencamel Farm, plus there’s seasonal pintxos, mulled gins and live music around a candlelit tree.
Tickets: £20. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
