MARKS Tey is getting into the festive spirit this weekend with two fairs to tickle the tastebuds and get everyone planning for the big day.

With producers galore, the Food Company is hosting an event where customers can try and buy artisan food and drink from the independent store’s own suppliers locally and from further afield.

The Spirit of Christmas event also features a wine cave where mulled wine and sloe gin will be on offer to sample, and a deli counter with freshly baked mince pies and canapes to be enjoyed along to the live music in the restaurant.

The Food Company’s director, Aaron Linch, says: “Our Spirit of Christmas event is a great excuse to get out and meet the people who make the produce.

“We get in a large number of our greatest suppliers and together we showcase our offer for the festive period.

From champagne tasting to turkey carving, we have everything that you will want to stand proud on your Christmas table.

“Christmas is all about indulgence and for food and gifting we feel that’s where the Food Company fits right in. It only comes around once a year, so why hold out for anything but the best?

“Our team works tirelessly throughout the year with our suppliers looking for and sourcing new products so that our customers can come in knowing they will find treats you won’t find anywhere else.

We look forward to welcoming our return customers and all food lovers. “ Among the suppliers will be Tenuta Marmorelle, an independent Italian supplier of panettone, the Cress Company with mulling syrup, mince pies, and a range of specialist cheeses, My Olive Branch Ltd with a range of tapenades and jarred olives, KellyBronze Turkeys, which also supplies the Royal household and Witham-based Haymans Gin.

Kamil Shah of My Olive Branch Ltd says: “The Food Company Spirit of Christmas event is a must attend event for us at Olive Branch. This year will be our fourth year to attend and each year, the event goes from strength to strength. It's great that the Food Company organises such an event as it's important for consumers to interact with producers and know how their foodstuffs are made.

“Marks Tey seems to be a breeding ground for foodies so we get a buzz from meeting the locals and talking through our recipes and how we've made our products!”

If that wasn’t enough, the Marks Tey Christmas Market at the Best Western Marks Tey Hotel will open its doors at 10am on Sunday, November 29.

Running until 4pm, the hotel will come alive with all things Christmassy, with 60 stalls in a marquee, in the Claudius Rom and the Balkan Suite selling festive food, crafts, gifts and treats.

The Wish Upon A Star Theatre Company will be there with traditional Christmas carols and a selection of contemporary festive songs and its children’s choir will be performing alongside a number of professional West End singers.

Cheryl Owen, sales manager at the Best Western Marks Tey Hotel, says: ‘We all very much enjoyed last year’s event which attracted around 2,000 visitors.

“We’re looking forward to the 2015 Christmas Market and are already busy making mulled wine and cider which the hotel will offer alongside coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

“Our team will sell freshly barbecued burgers and hot dogs, both meaty and vegetarian, on the day.”

This year’s event charity will be Macmillan Cancer Support.

Trisha Whitehouse, Christmas Market organiser, adds: “People love Christmas Fairs as they can find hand crafted gifts and presents that are not available on the High Street. Items sold at Christmas Fairs/Markets tend to be more unique and there is less of a risk of the recipient receiving duplicates. There is also the feel good factor of having supported a small local business or individual.

“And of course there is the ambiance.

The festive atmosphere will put people in the mood for Christmas.”