Last July we ran a story about Heston's Christmas pudding, and how it was destined to be the hit of Christmas. "too early!" you cried, and while yes, it is a little hard to visualise Christmas in summer, Heston's Christmas pudding with the whole candied orange inside became a massive Christmas hit - the foodie equivalent of the sold-out toy that every child wanted.
It's July again, so it must be time for this year's Waitrose Christmas preview. So what can we expect from Heston this year?
First up, the obvious. The pudding is back, but this time it's bringing along a smaller sibling. Heston's Hidden Clementine Christmas pudding (£3.49) is the smaller and more affordable version of the original and bound to be as much of a hit. Waitrose say they've learned their lessons from last year and don't expect a repeat of last years sell out and eBay mayhem. However, given the nature of the pudding ingredients which take weeks to prepare - still expect a "when it's gone it's gone moment" in the run up to the big day.
But that's not all to look forward to. Also from Heston is a host of other Christmas goodies. There's a turkey brining kit, pigs in blankets, stuffing balls and prawn cocktail - in its usual form and also as a surprisingly moreish prawn cocktail flavoured popcorn (alongside some salted caramel popcorn).
For those who aren't Christmas pudding fans, there's a chocolate popping candy cake, and one of our favourite ideas - bake your own biscuits. These are part-cooked biscuits at you can finish off in the oven yourselves - perfect for "yes, of course these are home made!" moment.
And finally - Heston's getting into the drinks business, with a new cider that had only just been finalised and was very heavy on the ginger. One more pre-Christmas surprise is planned, but Waitrose was tight lipped on that.
Elsewhere, Delia's hit "make your own Christmas cake" is back - and now joined by a chestnut stuffing box - featuring all the ingredients you'll need to replicate her recipe, without traipsing around the store looking for the ingredients.
Expect all these on the shelves around October time. You have been warned!
