Disclaimer – This post mentions the ‘C word’ a lot, I know we’ve only briefly had a summer in the UK, but it’s never too early to get into the Christmas spirit!
On one of the hottest days of the year, I headed down to London for Iceland’s Christmas in July event at One Belgravia. As a Christmasholic, I was genuinely excited to be invited to feast on all things festive in the summer. I mean an excuse to eat mince pies and other Christmas themed goodies… who wouldn’t?
Imagine blue skies, burning sunshine, and humid city heat; I was slightly taken aback by the amazing Christmas grotto that Iceland had created inside. There were snowy Christmas trees lining the entrance and stairway, a feast of a Christmas dinner laid out on the central table, gifts and decorations and I was kindly greeted with a Bucks Fizz before I headed on over to check out the food.
When you’re planning your Christmas meal later this year, you may not be thinking about popping to your local Iceland to feed your friends and family, but you really should. I think the consensus believe that frozen food is inferior to fresh and lacking in nutrition. And to be blunt, a lot of people are snobby about frozen food. I will hold my hands up, I always believed that fresh was best in the past, but over the past few years, my eyes have been truly opened. Frozen food is fresh because it’s generally frozen straight away, which helps to lock in all that nutritional goodness and retains the quality of the product.
Now about all that food…
Well, what can I say, the fact that I was eating frozen food cooked to this standard always blows my mind. I’m a massive fan of Iceland’s frozen fish and the smoked salmon terrine was a real highlight for me, which when you lifted the lid smoke came out for added drama.
The lobster and salt baked sea bass were another one of my favourites. I think lobster always feels like you’re eating a bit of luxury so it’s perfect for Christmas entertaining or if your want to impress your guests on a special occasion.
Let’s not forget about the desserts, it would have been rude not to dive into the chocolate snowflake showstopper. Quite an impressive dessert for the Christmas table because when you pour over the molten hot chocolate sauce the middle of the snowflake melts to reveal the delicious chocolate inside. Iceland are renowned for their frozen desserts and they don’t scrimp on quality or taste. I’ll be picking up a couple of desserts like the brightly coloured macarons and eclairs for when unexpected guests pop round, which always happens during the holidays.
Christmas is a joyful time of year, but it’s also a stressful one. There’s so much to do and you can feel pressured to make everything perfect for everyone. The beauty of frozen food is that it’s all done for you and it can take some of the strain of Christmas away.
You will definitely see me picking up some of the items that I tried at the Christmas in July event come December, I was seriously impressed with the taste and quality of everything that I tried. I’m all for bringing more ease into my life to make space for more bliss, and what better way to do this by taking some of the pressure off at Christmas to spend more quality time with my loved ones.
Moreover, I bet if you told your guests that you’d bought your Christmas meal and dessert from Iceland, their jaws would drop to the floor. As Iceland’s recipe developer, Nigel Nugent eloquently told me ‘people shouldn’t be getting snobby about Iceland, they should be getting sassy!’ and I couldn’t agree more.
*This post was commissioned by Iceland, but all opinions are my own.
I love the look of those desserts Jemma, and I totally agree that Iceland is doing a brilliant job with their products. Such great quality!
They are on the ball at the moment. Lots of lovely stuff!
Awww, it’s a shame we missed each other because I went to a later slot! The food was fab, wasn’t it? Pleasantly surprised that most of it was from frozen.
It would have been lovely to have met you, shame. I loved the food, so much yumminess.
I loved sampling the Iceland Christmas products! I was snobby about frozen food in the past too but I feel very differently now. It’s convenient, reduces food waste and in many cases healthier than fresh! I always have a few Iceland staples in my freezer now.
They have such a tasty selection coming up. I’m always blown away by the quality and the taste, not forgetting the fact that it’s all frozen! I’m a massive convert to frozen food too.
Oh wow what an amazing sounding event, I love that all these people do a peek of Christmas in July and it sounds like Iceland have some great things to come this year.
It’s nice that they invite you to have a sneak peek. I feel very lucky!
You just said the C word in July, ha! I don’t mind though, I love Christmas!
Lol! I know!
It looks like a delicious assortment of food. I hope you had fun with it lol
I did, thank you!
Wow that food looks delicious. Well worth the trip! Those min eclair look incredible.
They are so beautiful aren’t they.
What a fantastic Christmas in July event. I really like the sound of the bright macaroons they look absolutely delicious .
I cannot believe that the food was frozen!? I haven’t shopped in Iceland in over a decade… I may need to change that and take another look!
I have exactly the same thoughts whenever I’m eating Iceland food.
It’s a strange thought that we’re closing in on the second half of the year so are moving closer to Christmas. I ‘ve always had the samr thought about Iceland as you but I can see that they do so many great things x
I know the year is flying by!
It seems as though Iceland have massively improved their range since I last went in there! I can’t believe they do lobster! Everything looks so delicious, time to start planning for the Christmas feast I think!
They are doing incredibly well and everything is such great quality.
I actually buy most of my Christmas food from Iceland. It’s great for party food and loots of yummy desserts
Yay! Lovely to hear that you’re a fan. They’ve got lots of fantastic stuff.
I have been invited to so many Christmas in July events, in fact I intend to be at one tonight! I love that they are thinking about this now. I love the new things from Iceland that are ready for the season. I actually want to start Christmas shopping and planning now!
I felt like that after this event! ?
Those frozen desserts look so nice. Especially the different coloured eclairs!
They’re so yummy!
Christmas thoughts already…love this and can’t believe all the food was from frozen too :)x
I know! The quality is amazing.
i love my christmas in july events lol these dishes look amazing though! good to get some forward planning in!
Yes, great to see what is going to be on offer in the shops.
So much yummy food! I loved that salmon terrine. Looking forward to trying these again at Christmas – can I wait that long? x
It will be here before you know it!
I wouldn’t normally think about Christmas till at least November but it was really interesting to see what’s coming into the shops! I might have to pay a visit to Iceland this year!
They have some great things lined up.
I have been consistently impressed by the quality and value of Iceland’s products and the Christmas range was excellent too. I am all for making my life a little easier during the holidays!
Me too. I will be heading to Iceland to make the holidays less stressful.
I used to be a bit snobby about frozen food too but I’ve gotten over myself and am now a total convert! It is convenient, healthy and delicious!
I’m a convert too, the taste and quality is so good.
I’ve really enjoyed my visits to Christmas in July in previous years.Unfortunately I just couldn’t fit in a trip to London this year. Would love to catch up with you next year at an event x
Yes that would be lovely if we could meet at one. ?
Mm that table spread looks amazing! I think I’d like the pork on my Christmas table 🙂
It’s an impressive festive spread isn’t it!
Love all your pictures Jemma! It was such a great event, the food was truly delicious and it was lovely catching up with you 🙂 xx
Thank you, Andrea. Lovely catching up over all the delicious Christmas food. xx
A great round up of a lovely day. Bring on Christmas!
Thank you, Jo!