SUPER STREET FOOD

Junkyard Norwich

We are delighted that Junkyard Norwich is back. After the huge success earlier this year the global street food market returns with it’s trademark eclectic range of gorgeous grub and high end cocktails, produced by local folk and served in trendied-up disused spaces, with DJs to boot. These guys are definately on Santa’s good list; they’ve raised a whopping £20,000 for the Norwich Soup Movement and more than £7,500 for St Martin’s homelessness charity. Dates for December are onthe website – book now to get your spot.

Junkyard, St Mary’s Works, Norwich, NR3 1QA

Oishii Kitchen @ Chambers Cocktail Company

For the discerning cocktail drinker, ie more SJP than Del Boy, head to Chambers Cocktail Company on Wensum Street which now houses Asian street food Oishii, a collaboration between Hen House Kitchen and Moco Kitchen. Expect mouthwatering chicken burgers and the freshest ingredients. A world away from KFC.

12-14 Wensum St, Norwich NR3 1HY

LAWLESS PIZZA

Also in Aylsham on Fridays and in Holt on Tuesdays from 4.30pm is lockdown launched pop-up Lawless Pizza, fresh woodfired pizza straight from the oven, using the best of local ingredients. There’s a vegan option available every week as well as the classics of Margherita, Spicy Salami, Ham & Mushroom and Veggie – plus lookout for specials. This is proving to be a BIG hit with locals since lockdown (also, pssst: Lawless happens to be Mr Muddy;)

Order via facebook / or call 07957 773488 for a slice of the action.

DECEMBER MARKETS

Creake Abbey Christmas Gift Fair – Saturday 12^th December 10am to 3pm (moved from Saturday 28^th November) has over 50 East Anglian makers and craftspeople together with a few food and drink stands. Designer children’s wear to decorative antiques, this will get you fully in the spirit. For foodie buys go for the Christmas Farmers’ Market – Saturday 19^th December, 9.30am to 1pm. If you’ve still not decided on a Norfolk Black or a joint of beef, check out my top farm shops, here. Support local makers and catch the second weekend at North Norfolk Arts & Crafts, at Back to the Garden, Letheringsett for all sorts of pretty handmade local gifts, as well as the weekly Christmas Food, Drink & Gift Market at Holkham Hall, on the 12th / 13th and 19th / 20th. In need of a wreath? Make your own at Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden, from Wed 9th December.

CHEESE, PLEASE: Hodson & Co

Aylsham is excited about this new kid on the block, opened by chef Charlie Hodson. A stylish and welcoming old school cheese deli, (loving the big bulb lights and wood) you’ll be greeted with that big smack you in the face stinky cheese smell – serious cheese lovers will want to linger, taste and admire. This is a celebration and showcase of scrumptiousness and has that french/italian vibe of taking one’s time to enjoy and choose a quality product; something that we Brits miss out on so often when shopping. Pop next door to Bread Source for a decent loaf, G F Whites for some ham and you’re sorted for Sunday brunch.

23 Red Lion Street, Aylsham NR11 6ER

BOOK SIGNING: AN AUDIENCE WITH LADY GLENCONNER

The eldest child of the fifth Earl of Leicester, Glenconner was maid of honour at the Queen’s coronation and lady-in-waiting to her childhood friend Princess Margaret. She grew up at Holkham Hall in Norfolk and has (in case you’ve been under a rock) written the candid, witty and tragic memoir Lady in Waiting, which is as far from a cosy, ‘lavender scented memoir’ as you can get – her description ofher wedding night treat from her husband is quite, er, surprising… a must read for anyone loving the Crown. Her new book is Murder in Mustique.

Saturdays 12th & 19th December 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 2.45pm / tel 01328 713111

GIFT POP-UPS: SOODLE STREET @ JOHN LEWIS

Local indie brand Soodle Street makes beautiful collage illustrations of architecture made from recycled paper – fancy a pretty and eco-friendly stocking filler, or something really special like an architectural portrait? Soodle Street pop up will include prints, cards, postcards and mugs inspired by the architecture of Norwich and further afield. The Pop-Up shop is an initiative of the Great British Exchange who champion British brands and work to connect them with retailers. Really nice to see the big names like John Lewis supporting local indies. As you know, Muddy is all about supporting the Indie Store. Soodle Street is at John Lewis, Norwich from now until 13th December.

Candle Brand is also at John Lewis from 14th – 20th Dec. Made with luxury thick glass and trademark timber lid, with absolutely no nasties, there are six gorgoeus choices to pick from. Lychee & Peony blend will regenerate, enhance and soothe, with notes of rasperries and peach (ahh, yes please). Lily & White Rose will uplift, revive and inspire, with touches of white musk – Muddy’s favourite nostalgic teen scent. Stockings at the ready.

Candle Brand is at John Lewis from 14th – 20th December.

COCKTAIL CANARIES

Jaffa Cake Negroni? Christmas Cocktails delivered to my door? Er, yes please! Local brand Cocktail Canaries are flying all over the county with their delicious cocktails – and they also deliver nationwide, so will make a nice pressie for sherry-quaffing aunt Sally. This could become a weekly habit.

Delivered locally to your door, from £20. Order by 12pm for same day delivery every Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

THE ENCHANTED JOURNEY OF LIGHT

It may have been freezing rain and wild winds, and the mudlets hapharzardly and innappropriately dressed (sock-shoes, in sleet?) and we possibly did it back-to-front but The Enchanted Journey of Light at Thursford is a magical must-see. Take the mile long animal sculpture trail following a vast and wonderously lit collection from deep sea and the African plains. These are beautiful lantern illuminations with the wow factor for all the family. Inside there is an engine room and robotic filled journey of teddies, polar animals and Santa’s helpers. A festive delight.

£18 per ticket / runs until January 2021. Thursford Collection, Fakenham NR21 0AS tel 01328 878 477

THEATRE ROYAL SHOWS

A Circus Carol 16 – 23 Dec Charles Dickens’ timeless classic Christmas Carol is literally turned on its head in this spectacular production filled with gasps, thrills and laughs and combining acrobatics and amazing trickery – see our Muddy review coming soon. She Go Does It Under the Christmas Tree…with Friends 16 – 23 Dec is a brand new show from much-loved Norfolk comedian Karl Minns, this is a festive look back at 2020 in Norfolk. To win a pair of tickets to this show head over to our reader treats, pronto. Lastly, Panto in a Pickle 16 – 24 Dec There has been a terrible mess-up in Panto-land. What is Cinderella doing with those magic beans? God knows, but this mash-up Christmas Special will be an assorted box of delight for Panto fans.

Norwich Theatre Royal Box Office: 01603 630 000

MAKE YOUR OWN VEGAN CHOCOLATES

Chocs that are good for me AND the planet? I’m in. This chocolate making kit comes with top quality, ethically sourced ingredients: cacao powder, cacao butter and coconut nectar honey, as well as the perfect utensils to create beautiful chocolates, and access to an informative video tutorial where The Mindful Cook shows you how to use her fail safe recipe to create beautiful chocolates every time. Know the difference between cacoa and cocoa? Nope? Well then, find out right here.

Muddy readers get £5 off, too: use this code chocfriends20 (offer ends 20 Dec) Let’s get cooking!

What’s On December 2020

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