You can never find the perfect present on time. No need to worry, Hackney Hampers provides you with a selection of gifts that are perfect for every occasion. Ruth Fitzgerald and Ally Scott, co-founders of Hackney Hampers, put together a small business based on selling foods made in Hackney.

Keeping local, they’ve managed to find foods made by small producers and placed them all in a decorative (and recycled) hamper. From delicious brownies to homemade jam and Hackney brewed beers, the hamper sets the perfect mood for any event, big or small.

Here’s a taste of all that’s packed into a box of Hackney Hampers. Copyright Hackney Hampers.

Fitzgerald talks about how it came to light, “The ideology behind Hackney Hamper is a compilation of small independent producers and putting them together in a box we can showcase their products to a wider audience.”

“We have a variety of products. Being we’re both Hackney locals and enjoy a lot of local produce and seeing if we could come up with a hampers worth of food and we could and we thought initially that we’d have to go out of the borough, but we didn’t have to because we had so much.”

Hackney Hamper celebrates the community’s achievements through its products. The company collects produce from small independent producers, who use their own kitchens to make their food; food that’s not available anywhere on the high street or on the supermarket shelves.

Fitzgerald takes more about the food they sell and why they’ve chosen these products, “We’ve got colas, ginger beer and we’ve got ale from London Fields Brewery. We’ve got Aunt Celia’s, which is a hot chilli sauce and we’ve got some pitta chips from Soffles and all of our producers are small, independent local producers and they’re creating products in their own kitchens and from scratch and from love and just from their huge interest in food as well.”

Ruth Fitzgerald and Ally Scott promote their Hackney Hampers. Copyright Karolina Przeklas

Speaking of Hackney’s history, “This is based on the idea that hundreds of years ago, Hackney was a green fields that fed the city of London right outside the city and that was where all the food was produced and now, because there’s been a mushrooming of small local specialized producers it’s like that’s happened again, so it’s like a celebration of the idea that it’s…so amazing.”

“There’s an entrepreneurial spirit in Hackney that means there’s more of that happening here than anywhere else,” Ruth continued to talk about the Hackney business spirit.

“There’s lots of energy for new projects and there’s an enormous amount of new things we can go out and find and this is just like a snapshot of right now of what you can gather and they are all made by specialists, you know, so they only make one thing and they would never have anything to do with a supermarket,” Ruth discusses the producers who make up the Hackney Hamper. “And they have been perfected over time; they are fantastic products, as well as being on your doorsteps,” continues Ally.

“Buying locally and promoting your local producers and not just buying everything in a supermarket, you know, or all of the big brands that are already out there and support those that are working really hard on their produce,” says Ally in a patriotic tone.

To purchase a hamper online, visit the Official Website. For their latest products follow Hackney Hampers on Facebook and Twitter.

Here’s a selection of hampers filled with Hackney produce. Copyright Karolina Przeklas

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Firstly the beers

Catford Tavern have treated us to some fabulous selections recently including the Ruby Hop Cat, which has been brewed especially for the pub. The pub’s long bar offers a large and wonderful range that changes by the week. Never have I found a pub that offers so many ciders, stouts and bitters etc all at once!

The tavern takes advantage of this generous on-tap offering by organising impromptu events such as Trio of Stouts (served in 3 1/3 pint glasses) and Oysters. I’m gutted I was not around for this event but I’m told it was very successful, with all oyster platters selling out.

Sundays

On Sundays, the pub offers a menu of roasts (with the addition of fish and vegetarian alternative dishes).

I have to say they have turned my opinion round: I never normally order roasts when I’m eating out as I often find it to be a bit boring and often the meat and veg are overcooked. Nothing, I thought, can rival my Mum’s roasts. Well…. it’s certainly giving her a run for its money.

The vegetables are full of flavour and beautifully cooked. There are many types of vegetable on the plate (hidden under the meat) with lovely roasties, and a tasty cauliflower cheese.

The gravy is very good. As is the creamy fresh tasting home-made horseradish side sauce.

I believe that the pub has made a good decision to put on roasts without the usual weekday menu on Sundays, as this has given them the opportunity to concentrate on producing top quality roasts. It is a compromise well worth taking in order to strive for perfection.

So far we’ve tried the beef, spotted (something) pork and the black-faced lamb. The care in choosing the origin of the meat is clear, and the care gone into cooking it has done it justice.

These meals are massive and so ordering starters are not really a clever plan, though a limited selection (bar snacks such as the sausage rolls and scotch eggs) are available.

The dining room is a lovely and bright place to enjoy this on a Sunday lunch, as the room is spacious, windows showing the leafy trees are wide and let a lot of light into this part of the pub. The décor is perfect for a Jubilee and Olympic year with bunting and sports features such as skittles and snooker holders adorn the walls.

I believe you can also have your meal in the other rooms of the pub on request.

Tuesday to Saturday

A mouthwatering menu is available. So far I’ve had the Pig’s cheeks starter, the Gurnard, and my partner’s had a special of Black-faced lamb pie with suet pastry crust.

I’ve never had pig’s cheeks before and I absolutely love them, the texture and taste is different, and really good. Unfortunately I’m at a loss to describe it, but I assure you it’s not in any way gross or weird. The dish was done very well with a good salad and parsnip puree, and sauce. I recommend trying it for yourself!

The Gurnard was really good -as was the rest of the dish: the buttery caper sauce with shrimps was fantastic  with the new potatoes. If I were on death row, I’d order this as my last meal.

We’ve also had the Chocolate Brownie. I died and went to heaven with its chocolaty gooey sticky centre and crunchy outer, with lovely ice-cream….ohhh.

Oh yes girls, get yourselves one of these, it does solve everything.

Do be aware this menu changes slightly from time to time. Keeps you coming back

Lastly, Bar Snacks:

These guys really know how to get people to pop in for a pint before heading home. You may be hungry and tired and need a distraction from your day -so you come to the Tavern for a pint, a snack and a board game!

My partner is currently teaching my how to play chess. Others include Guess Who, Scrabble, Battleship etc.

And bar snacks: we’ve enjoyed ‘Soffles’ -a paper bag of grilled spicy pitta pieces -an interesting alternative to crisps; chilli honey rosemary nuts (warning addictive); pork scratchings, scotch egg, sausage rolls. They also have pickled eggs, but I’ve never been a fan of the idea!

The scotch eggs and sausage rolls are freshly made on site – you’ll find Eddie the Chef occasionally ‘tweets’ to his followers when they’re hot out of the oven. The scotch egg at the Tavern is the first time I think I’ve tried what a scotch egg is really supposed to be like: its not like shop-bought ones -its got real meat (I warn you it’s not massively cooked to avoid overcooking -but I find this is to my liking), soft boiled egg, and a lovely outer, topped with flaky salt: deep-fried freshly when ordered (only available when the kitchen is open).

Summing up

This is a lovely place to treat yourself and eat out -whether its a £2.50 scotch egg with your pint, or a full Roast on a Sunday.

Its not a cheap place, and since its opened I’ve probably spent more money than I would normally – but I think it’s good value as it is really good food and service (the staff have always been friendly to us -I’m pretty sure they are to everyone and clearly enjoy their jobs).

Over the years have eaten at quiet a few restaurants so I compare it to many places: pubs that offer this type of menu in Surrey for example are generally slightly more expensive than the Tavern, so I’m comfortable spending this much knowing its about right, if a bit better, value for what it is they’re offering.

In short I’m thrilled this place has opened on our doorstep and I want to shout out to all the locals that it’s here, and to go visit. This is a much needed boost to this area, and I expect the community spirit will strengthen from its presence