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ALL IN GOOD TASTE Gifts

TFor 12 months we track down and taste the food gifts that are guaranteed to bring joy at Christmas..

From the next cult baking accessory (have you seen the DOAP p.38 !?) to an ingredient you’ve never tasted before (make sure you try Ohlive spread on p.30); I hope you feel the thrill of discovering hidden gems in these pages - it’s been great fun putting together our 2026 collection. Happy exploring,

Nicola, Sous Chef Founder Nick, Sous Chef Founder and Chief Panettone Eater

For hi-res imagery, sample requests, trends insight or more information about anything in the following pages, email holly.thomson@souschef.co.uk

SousChefMilano Panettone,1kg,£28.99 SousChefx FlyingGoose

“Over the 14 years that I’ve been testing, tasting and searching for the world’s very best - there are some products that are so good we’ve put the Sous Chef name on them. Here is our ever-growing collection of ingredients and gifts that truly WOW.”

Nicola, Sous Chef Founder

SousChefSweetPistachio Cream,220g,£9.99

SousChefBalsamicVinegarof ModenaIGP,250ml,£23.99

SousChefAmarena CherryPanettone,1kg, £29.99

SousChefARCEdge DamascusSteelKnives: Santoku Knife £99

Chef’s Knife £99

Knife Duo £160

SousChefARCEdge CombinationWhetstone£59

SousChefJapanese RamenBowlSet, £49.99

SousChefSmallPaper& RibbonGiftBag,£1.99

The star of the show

Sous Chef Panettone

Have you tried it yet? The panettone that consistently tops taste tests with 100+ delighted customer reviews

SousChefMilano Panettone,1kg,£28.99

SousChefAmarenaCherry Panettone,1kg,£29.99

What makes the Sous Chef panettone different to any others? It’s the trusted relationship we’ve built with Italy’s finest producers. After a decade of working together, we’ve been given access to the very, VERY best production teams. And we’ve asked them to craft something special, just for Sous Chef customers.

SignsofanExceptionalPanettone

Origin: Look for Italy, where else!?

Weight: Must be heavy; with rich ingredients and moist crumb.

Aroma: Expect a big hit of scent on slicing - think citrus and Madagascan vanilla.

Taste: Rich, buttery, deeply golden.

Texture: Tears into long strands, like mozzarella.

Dream Damascus Knives

SousChefARCEdge DamascusSteelKnives:

TheVerdict What chefs are saying

“It really is all I want in a knife! 73 layers of Damascus steel and curved pakkawood handle for comfort.”

Shu Han Lee

“So lightweight, so sharp, so easy to maintain. A great knife!”

Sophie Wybyrd

“The blade is a thing of beauty, and razor sharp. Handle is light and nicely balanced too.”

Rhik Samadder

“It looks and cuts like a dream!”

Helen Goh

Dual-Grit: for either a fine or fast sharpening

ProfessionalSize: for a 20cm or 18cm blade

Non-Slip: sturdy bamboo base with a silicone grip

AngleGuideIncluded: clip-on guides ensure the consistent 15° angle required for Japanese-style blades

Balsamic Vinegar of

MODENA

Tipped for a 2026 renaissance (hooray!), balsamic vinegar has been a core Sous Chef product since the very beginning. This year, we’re finally making our own.

What makes Sous Chef IGP balsamic vinegar extraordinary?

Our grapes are left to sun-ripen on the vine longer than others, for even deeper prune-molasses notes

Then aged for a minimum of 12 years in wooden barrels, retired from the wine industry

Naturally syrupy and sweet, entirely from ageing - no sugar added (of course!)

Sous ChefBalsamic VinegarofModena

IGP, 250ml £23.99

Made with Sicilian PGI Extra Virgin Olive Oil

My 13-year quest for the

Perfect pistachio cream

When I started Sous Chef 13 years ago, I was completely obsessed with pistachio paste. At the time, you simply couldn't buy it as a home cook - it only came in large tubs for professional kitchens. So we worked with producers to put it into smaller jars for people (like me) who just love it!

Since then, I've tasted more pistachio pastes and creams than I can remember. Every trip to Italy. Every food show. Every producer visit. If someone makes it, I want to try it...

Then, last year, I tasted a jar of pistachio cream made in Sicily that stopped me in my tracks. It has just four ingredients:

Pistachios

Sicilian IGPextravirgin olive oil

sugar and a pinch offine sea salt

The flavour is truly pistachio, sweetened very slightly, followed by the rich, savoury, nutty notes of really good olive oil. One spoonful is never enough!

Nicola, Sous Chef Founder

“The pistachiocream I alwayshopedtofind”

Pistachio 50%

Sous ChefSweet Pistachio Cream, 220g, £9.99 2026

Made in Japan

Ramen Bowl Sets

Each ramen bowl is made in Japan, and carefully chosen with the perfect size

The gorgeous set contains two ramen bowls, two ramen ladles, and a full colour ramen recipe booklet.

All packed together in a Sous Chef gift box.

SousChefRamenBowlSets,£49.99

Eachsetincludes 2 x Ramen Bowls 2 x Ladles

Sous Chef’s The Art of Ramen Recipe Book

Choose your favourite design

Bowl Set

Japanese Ramen Bowl Set

Karasuba-Iro Ramen Bowl Set

Yukishino Ramen Bowl Set

YozoraRamenBowl Set£49.99

Mizumi Ramen Bowl Set

The world’s best

Advent Calendars

Unwrap a daily delight in December, and explore the best of Europe’s chocolate houses, and artisan spice producers from across the world. These are the Advent calendars that will become one of your new Christmas traditions...

EXPLORETHE WORLDOFSPICES

NEW

Beautifully re-designed for 2026, the Spice Discovery Advent Calendar is your passport to travel the world, from your kitchen. Think you’ve tried all the spices possible? Think again. Try Voatsiperifery pepper, Breizh persillade,

At 690g, the huge Lakrids ‘tower of liquorice’ is shaped like one of their iconic jars, and opens up to a double-sided vault of liquorice! Each window has four pieces of flavoured joy. Perfect for sharing... or not.

ITALIANCHOCOLATEWAFERS

Traditional confectioner BABBI is mentioned in “Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Foods”.

And it’s Nick’s pick of the year... “No-one really gets excited about wafers… but that’s a mistake! Every wrapped little parcel is one of the most delicious things you can eat.”

BabbiLuxuryWaferAdvent Calendar315g,£35

FAMILY-OWNEDPARISIANCHOCOLATE

Started in 1948 by couple Marc and Marcelle Cluizel - both former pastry chefs. Today, Parisian chocolate house, Cluizel, is run by the third and fourth generations. Inside, 24 pieces of chocolate heaven; honey ganache, Montelimar nougat, Kewane hazelnut praline, vanilla gianduja and more.

CluizelChocolateAdventCalendar,265g,£55

SPICETREASURECHEST

A stunning collection of 24 fullsized tins of outstanding organic spices from Danish spice-house Mill & Mortar. Make 2026 your year of outstanding flavour.

Mill&MortarOrganicSpiceAdvent CalendarinWoodenChest,£250

Provenceclassics

Behind each door: artisan sweets and Provençal treats like nougat, pistachio spreads, honey, olive oil, herb blends and fruit balsamic condiments. There’s even a mini lavender soap and rich hand cream. Perfect for gifting, or treating yourself.

MaisonBremond Advent Calendar,440g,£75

Le Chocolat des Français is a French chocolate brand that treats every bar like a canvas. It brings together fine chocolate and contemporary art, pairing bold flavours with colourful packaging designed by French artists.

LeChocolatDesFrancaisTheGiant AdventCalendar,228g,£49.99

THEORIGINALGINGERBREAD

Based in Nuremberg - the home of Germany’s most prized lebkuchenLebkuchen-Schmidt is a family business that has been making cakes and biscuits for nearly a century. Explore their whole range, each day in December!

Lebkuchen-SchmidtPGILebkuchen& BiscuitAdventCalendar,430g,£55

EXQUISITEPARISIANTEA

Explore the iconic Parisian Mariage Freres ‘tea library’ each day in December. Behind every door discover a different muslin-wrapped tea bag.

Mariage Freres Luxury Tea Bag Advent Calendar

FINEFRENCH BUTTERBISCUITS

Behind each door, discover a trio of beautifully wrapped buttery sable biscuits from one of France’s finest bakers. With a selection of three flavours.

Marquise de Sable 1670 French Butter Biscuits Advent Calendar, 450g, £49.99

MADEFORSHARING

Neuhuas chocolates are real show-stoppers. Filled with the Belgian chocolate house’s signature gianduja pralines. This year discover the NEW Christmas tree calendar, which also includes two new flavours; pistachio and speculoos.

NeuhausIrresistibles Tree Advent Calendar, 538g,£95

NeuhausLuxurySharing AdventCalendar,964g, £159.50

Extraordinary Each panettone is

Slow-leavened dough, shaped by Italy’s finest bakers, studded with jewels of soft candied fruit. This is The 2026 Panettone Edit you’ve been waiting for...

Muzzi Gold Diamond Traditional Panettone, 1kg, £30.99

Muzzi Pink DIamond Raspberry & Pistachio Panettone, 750g, £32.99

Muzzi Green Diamond Pear & Chocolate Panettone,1kg, £32.99

Spread the Joy

Think of it like a - very - boozey custard - and discover the joy of Zaba (zabaglione) on panettone, mince pies and big Christmas trifles...

Zaba Traditional Italian Zabaione with Marsala, 200g, £10.99

The next generation

Italy’s New Designers

Fiasconaro’s limited-edition Ypsigro panettoni take their name from the ancient Byzantine Greek word for Castelbuono, the Sicilian village the bakery calls home. Created as a tribute to local identity, art and imagination, each year the limited edition mulberry cakes are designed by a young Castelbuono artist.

Fiasconaro x Ypsigro Mulberry & Milk Chocolate

The collectors tins are back! These are some of the finest panettoni we’ve tasted, made with best-quality Sicilian ingredients. Get your hands on a new design and incredible flavours this year.

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Salted Caramel Panettone in Tin, 1kg, £73

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Citrus & Saffron Panettone, 100g, £24.50 each

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Citrus & Saffron Panettone, from £48.99

Fiasconaro x Dolce & Gabbana Chocolate & Candied Orange Panettone, 1kg £73

Preservative

free, beautifully fresh

Gustificio Panettone

Gustificio is a restaurant-bakery in Carmignano di Brenta, Italy. It’s run by chef, Andrea Poli. His fresh panettone are wonderfully soft, aromatic and tender - if you’d like to taste what Italians buy from their neighbourhood bakery at Christmas - these are the panettoni to try first...

Gustificio Yuzu & White Chocolate Panettone, 900g, £47

Gustificio Traditional Panettone, 900g, £47

Gustificio Triple Chocolate Panettone, 900g, £47

Gli Artisti della Pasta IGP Soli di Capri Pasta, 125g, (pack of 4) £8.99

FarPageL-R

Oysters on a Plate Shaped Bauble, £13

Brussel Sprout Bauble Tree Decoration, £4

Giant Olive Bauble Tree Decoration, £8.50

Rainbow Carrots Shaped Bauble, £10

Cherry Tomatoes Tree Decoration, £11

Runny Egg Bauble Tree Decoration, £8.50

King Prawn Bauble Tree Decoration, £8.50

Sriracha Bottle Glass Tree Decoration, £13.50

Soy Sauce Bauble Tree Decoration, £11

Tinned Tomatoes Tree Decoration, £13

Caviar Tree Decoration, £15

Salmon Nigiri Sushi Tree Decoration, £6

ThisPageL-R

Porres Crisps Glass Tree Decoration, £14.99

Perello Gordal Picante Olives Glass Tree Decoration, £14.50

Jar of Pickles Tree Decoration, £16

Yorkshire Pudding Tree Decoration, £11.50

Pastel de Nata Tree Decoration, £12.99

Camp Fries Tree Decoration, £14.99

Set of 3 Christmas Potatoes Tree Decoration, £13

Set of 3 English Breakfast Tree Decoration, £15

Tin of Sardines Tree Decoration, £11

Pickled Gherkin Tree Decoration, £4

Butter Block Glass Tree Decoration, £10

PICKLE E dit

Cherry Ceramic Token, £4.50

CHERRY he

Fabbri Amarena Cherries in Syrup - Opaline Jar, 600g £15.99

Cherry Claw Clip, £7.50

Fabbri Amarena Cherries Fridge Magnet £7.50

Ocelot Organic Dark Chocolate & Black Cherry

Dark Chocolate Enrobed Cherry, 120g, £16.00

ZingyZoo Freeze Dried Whole Sour Cherry, 90g £9.80

TINNEDFISH he

HOTSAUCE E dit

White Mausu Peanut

Poon's

Natural & Noble Espresso Martini Cocktail Making Kit, 580g £13.99

Vegan Caviar, 100g £3.99

Caviar Crisps, 125g £4.99

Zaba Italian Zabaione Mini Gift Selection in Egg Carton, 4 x 40g £15.99

Zaba Zabaudo Panettone with Jar of Zabaione with Marsala, 950g, £49.99

I spend all day, every day seeking out, testing and approving cookware that actually makes a difference in the kitchen. This year I’m particularly excited about the DOAP bakers’ ‘soap’, and the chef prep trays in a variety of shapes and sizes...”

Kristin, Cookware Expert

Gadgets that work

The Cult KitchenAccessory

Chef’sPressisyourkeytoaperfectsear! What’s the secret? Pressing food against a hot pan increases surface heat, and speeds cooking. Vents allow steam to escape, so everything stays crispy! And you can stack

Perfect crisp&even browning

Cooks food adjustableweight

‘I

Feel Like A Chef’ PrepTrays

Before every Sous Chef Masterclass, I rely on our chef’s prep trays. They make mis-enplace SO easy. And so pleasing to look at! These simple trays instantly make

Yakumi Tray with Small Inserts, 12 Inserts, £144

Japanese Stainless Steel

Yakumi Tray with Small Inserts, 6 Inserts, £74

Chef’s Prep Trays in four sizes, from £9 each

“Is

DOAPisthemostingenious creationforbakersof2026

Made from soft, food-grade silicone, its flexible nubs whisk sticky dough from hands, bowls, jars and proving tubs using only water.

No more ruined disposable sponges No endless scrubbing Lasts forever - never buy a sponge again!

Just rub it between your hands like soap and watch sourdough, pizza dough and pastry disappear in seconds.

Our Favourite Mixer SwedishAnkarsrum

AnkarsrumAssistent Original Stand Mixer, Nordic Sage, £695.00

NEW

Consistent Rise DoughbedbySourhouse

The Doughbed controls your dough’s first proof, with a warming plate and timer. Shaped for easy mixing and ‘knocking back’ - it is for that critical first proof where flavour and texture are determined. Doughbed by Sourhouse, £235

“The Ankarsrum, or ‘Ank’ is a household name in Sweden (my home country). And in my view they are far superior to any other mixer out there. Why?

The bowl rotates, as well as the arm, just like a baker working with two hands.

Its large mixing bowl can hold up to 5kg of dough at a time.

It’s incredibly quiet

You can safely put your hand into the bowl while it’s mixing, because of the rotation action.

The machine regulates its speed according to the load

This is a serious piece of kit, that will transform your baking overnight.” Kristin, Cookware Expert

Each bite is beautiful

Unique Sweets

Curated by a team of sweet-toothed experts, discover our choice of chocolate boxes, each one with an interesting story to tell...

CLUIZELCHOCOLATE

Cluizel is one ofFrance’s great chocolate houses, started 75 years ago bya duo ofretired pastrychefs. It remains afamily business now in itsfourth generation.

Cluizel Chococlate Covered Caramel Nougatine Mushrooms, 125g, £24.99

£26.99

The original Petit Ourson was created in 1962 by Bouquet d’Or in Ascq - these little

Cluizel Milk&DarkChocolate Covered Marshmallow Bears, 175g, £22.99

Chocolate Detective bird eggs are stunning creations from Chantal Coady OBE - British chocolatier and the founder of Rococo Chocolates. Chantal is committed to ethical and sustainable chocolate production. And the eggs never fail to delight - delicate and

Britishmaker

Founded inTurin in 1958, Ziccat has spent decades perfectingthe art of Italian chocolate. In its artisan workshop, carefullyselected ingredients aretransformed into stunning chocolates.

NEW

ZiccatWavyDarkChcolate ChristmasTrees, 250g

£34.99/each

The Next Cult Crisps Serious Snacks

BRET’S

Bret’s is a family-owned business based in Brittany, France. Founded in 1995, they work closely with nearly 300 local farmers. Their crisps are made with the finest French potatoes and seasoned with sea salt from Guérande. The flavourings are all natural and free from additives.

TWOFARMERS

Bret’s Crisps £4.99 each

Flavours include: Aioli, Blue Cheese, Butter, and many more...

The Two Farmers (Mark and Sean) hand-cook Herefordshire-grown potatoes, then finish them with local flavours. Including Droitwich salt, made from nearby Worcestershire's mineral-rich natural springs which has a lovely pure favour.

Two Farmers Potato Crisps in SharingTin, 500g, £15.00

Artfully Minimal

IchendorfMilano Glass FlamingoJug, 1.8 Litre, £64.99

Serax Carte Blanche White &Black CeramicTeacup, 300ml, £25

Japanese Square Porcelain Garnish Dishes, 9cm, £19.99/each

Carte Blanche White &Black Ceramic Egg Cup, £28

Serax Carte Blanche White &BlackCeramic Cereal Bowl, 14cm, £44

Goldfish in Bag GlassVase, £44.99

Addison Ross Cappuccino Bobbin Salt orPepperMill, 22cm, £58

Serax

’s your style

Joyfully Maximalist

Japanese Peach/ Aubergine/Mountain/ Cloud Garnish Plate, 8cm, £25/each

Set of4Assorted Seafood Side Plates, 16cm, £57.99

Chiarugi Gold Leaf PepperMill, 28cm £129.00

Entertain with

Ichendorf Milano

Limited Edition

With an impressive team of Italian designers, Ichendorf Milano glassware is unique and instantly recognisable. They’re the perfect gift for anyone who finds joy in setting the table.