20th November 2019
Hello
I recently read a PR blog saying that you shouldn't introduce a new business project to your customers by saying 'I am so excited to announce...' as it can sound insincere. Well I'm afraid I'm going to ignore that advice because, frankly, I AM EXCITED and I have been desperate to fill you in on what we've been working on recently. And now I can. So I am sorry oh wise PR guru, but consider yourself well and truly ignored. So here goes:
I am hugely excited to write with some details on what we have on offer at MMB in the run up to 25th December to help you with your Christmas shopping and meal planning ('meal planning' - that sounds like some sort of diet plan doesn't it, I can assure you that our offerings are not for the festive slimmers amongst you).
PRE-ORDERS - for collection on 24th December
Firstly, we are going to be offering a pre-order system for some very special food items to add to your cheese board this Christmas. As well as being able to order the Bungay Butter that we all know and love, we will be ordering in both 250g and 1kg wheels of Fen Farm Dairy's award-winning Baron Bigod cheese. In addition some of you may have seen on social media that we will also be offering 1kg wheels of the most delicious cheese I have ever eaten - Truffled Baron Bigod. The team at Fen Farm Dairy have just launched this new cheese this month, and it is incredible. They have taken the Baron Bigod, split it down the middle and added a layer of their own handmade raw mascarpone, infused with the finest black truffles. Just imagine, if you can, the nicest, most luxurious soft cheese you've ever eaten and now quadruple your enjoyment of that cheese. And you may be starting to get close to how good this cheese is. This is the ultimate showstopper for your cheese board and you will be incredibly popular if you feature it as your cheesy centrepiece. The only challenge you will need to overcome will be ensuring it is eaten in respectful portions and not hoovered down like our sample piece was last week (I'm looking at you Dad).
To serve alongside your cheese board of dreams we will be taking pre-orders for our Rugbrøds. These Danish inspired, dark rye loaves have become the cult product of MMB and, thanks to Saffron Fish Co., are also now known to be the best vehicle for their cured fish at your Christmas brunch (did you know Saffron Fish Co. are also offering Christmas platters to pre order? Get on it). Our pre order Rugbrøds will be gift-wrapped in our very special MMB tissue paper therefore also offering you a very easy, last minute panic gift for foodies.
And of course you need something to sip on with all these delectable delights. We have got to know the team at Saffron Grange over the past six months and feel honoured to be able to offer you their premium 2016 Classic Cuvée Sparkling Wine to pop open on Christmas Day morning (and Eve, and Boxing Day, and NYE). This very special bottle of bubbles is 'a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. It has been made in the traditional method and aged for 24 months on the yeast lees. This wine is well balanced on the palate with notes of strawberries and cream, a hint of brioche and a long, refined finish'. It's very special and will certainly be cradled in the MMB Christmas day ice bucket.
And last but certainly not least, the pièce de résistance. Our Luxury MMB Christmas Hamper, as shown in the photograph above. I've loved putting this hamper together. It is the ultimate nod to everything MMB. Quality and luxury with an equal nod to simplicity. But without any scrimping whatsoever. Our hamper includes:
A bottle of Saffron Grange Classic Cuvée 2016 Sparkling Wine
A Robert Welch Signature 22cm Bread Knife
A large 70g bar of Pump Street 'Sourdough & Sea Salt' Chocolate
A Sabre butter spreader
A gift-wrapped Rugbrød
A 250g bag of coffee beans from Wood St. Coffee
(and here's the best bit...)
A limited edition MMB stoneware mug and plate commissioned especially for the hampers from Gabby at Shop at Seed
All wrapped in premium MMB tissue paper and packaged in a large, ribboned gift box. The hamper, costing £150, will be on display shortly at the shop if you want to take a look at it 'in the flesh' and will be available for pre-order only as we will be making the stoneware and the Rugbrød to order.
All pre-orders will be available to collect on Christmas Eve between 10am and 1pm from MMB. Order forms, with further details and pricing, are available at the shop and can also be downloaded from our website here. The deadline for all pre-orders is Friday 13th December and must be confirmed and paid for in advance at the shop.
We unfortunately are unable to take pre-orders for our sourdough but will make sure the shelves are stacked high on Christmas Eve for you to stock up on sourdough to go with your cheeses and wines etc.
And for those of you heading away early for Christmas we have a limited selection of gifts available to purchase now at MMB including some new Shop at Seed stoneware, the butter spreaders, some Robert Welch bread knives and the sparkling wine from Saffron Grange. PLUS we have some very beautiful Christmas cards which I'm struggling to not snaffle away for my own personal use!
Blimey. What a lot of information. If you have any questions on any of the above please do drop me a line or pop into the shop. I have loved curating these very special pieces - they all have a story to tell that links back to MMB. Many also support other small, independent businesses so in turn we will be giving those business owners a happy Christmas too.
And before I go, three dates for your diary. Pop in on Thursday 5th, Friday 13th or Saturday 21st December and any gifts purchased will be gift-wrapped free of charge. Gabby from Shop at Seed will be on hand with a selection of her ceramics and, on Thursday 5th December only, will be able to take bespoke, Shop at Seed commissions you may like to order for Christmas gifts. And who knows, if I get myself super organised I may have some form of Christmas tipple on offer to entice you in (yet again I can hear Jeff in my head saying 'why do you make life more difficult for yourself?' Because it's fun Jeff. And I can't help myself. And I just love Christmas!!!)
See you soon,
Megan