Whether you want a sample of saffron or spot of sparkling wine, a tequila treat or truffle oil, has some tasty options

If 2016 was the year of the kale, 2017’s food and drink trends have rendered it, and its cousin courgetti, somewhat vanilla. This year, we’ve read that Brits have gone bonkers for vegani sm, with the number of d a i r y- f re e d i s c i p l e s rising from 15 0,0 0 0 in 2007 to 542,000. Luckily, they will be saved, since a laboratory in Memphis has announced a breakthrough in creating artificial chicken.

Hopefully, synthetic meat will be welcomed in Cardiff, which was named the junk food capital of Britain. And English wine is booming at the moment and much of it is made in Sussex and Kent, but there are also some gems to be found in the South West.

Smith & Evans makes award-winning sparkling wine on a Limestone

Ridge overlooking the Somerset Moors.

£28.99

waitrosecellar.com from the bad to the sad, the cookery world lost two of its greats: critic AA Gill and “godfather of Italian gastronomy” Antonio Carluccio both died this year.

Meanwhile, Washington State University published research finding that drinking wine can assist with weight loss. The Araki, a sushi restaurant in Mayfair, was awarded three Michelin stars (only the fifth restaurant in the UK to boast such an accolade).

What does this mean? Despite the fear-mongering and the rise of “conscious” and “clean” eating, we still love our grub. Which will be good news to all of us hoping for some treats this Christmas. Here are the best options. Swanks, swanks…wanks… but it is Christmas, which is ass good an excuse as any. Exmoor caviaraviar is farmed in the UK’s only caviarr farm in — guess where? — and serves Theh Fatt Duckk andd The h Ledbury, among others. from £20

londonfinefoods.co.uk

These oven gloves break away from the twig-and-nest-look kitchen accoutrements, instead featuring handy tattoos of all the kitchen conversion tables, roasting times and chopping guides.

£22

stuartgardiner.com The classic crowd-pleaser: sweet, delicious, feeds lots of people. This Milanese delicacy has been adopted by us Brits. Will also get you brownie points if you take it to a get-together. Inexpensive to boot. £20

daylesford.com The lovechild of social consciousness and superfoods,

Fair. Vodka is made from quinoa which itself is sourced from a cooperative of 1,200 farmers in the Bolivian Andes (organic, natch).

It’s then bottled in Cognac and sold in the UK.

£33.99

fair-drinks.com Guaranteed to make any party go off with a bang — and then keep it going through to the early hours, Cazcabel’s website also lists the various delicious cocktails that this exceptional drink can make.

£25.45

thewhisky exchange.com These truffle oils are infused rather than flavoured, meaning authentic, long-lasting delicious tastes all year round — the gift that keeps on giving, if you like.

£49.95

londonfinefoods.co.uk