Christmas comes to Paddy’s Market, bringing more mouth-watering produce than ever before…

Food lovers from all over the Island regularly flock to Paddy’s Market in Port St Mary for its great variety of delicious, quality produce. Now, the team behind Paddy’s is planning two special Christmas markets, so you can fill your basket with seasonal eats, pick up great new food ideas and support local business as you go.

Paddy’s Christmas Markets will take place on Saturday 19th December from 10am to 2pm, and on Tuesday 22nd December from 5pm to 9pm. There’ll be stalls laden with a huge variety of fare and as you wander around, you’ll be able to savour the smells, tastes and sounds of the season.

On the fruit and vegetable stall, you’ll find a selection of home-grown and specially imported produce, including familiar favourites and more exotic alternatives. From crisp salad leaves and wild rocket to brussels sprouts, cauliflower and carrots, you’ll find all the perfect partners for your Christmas roast. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try roasting our purple truffle potatoes in goose fat?

Paddy’s will also welcome Radcliffe’s butchers of Castletown to the weekly markets. Butcher, Tony Crook will be selling their range of award-winning sausages, dry cured bacon and other succulent meats, as well as the usual Christmas trimmings.

At the heart of Paddy’s Market the famous fresh fish and seafood, sourced from local and British waters. The smoked salmon, seafood platters and dressed lobster prepared by Pad, Ian, Dave and Terry were all a big hit last year, so make sure to place your order early this time (pre-order forms are now available).

Moving further afield, there will also be a superb selection of cheese and charcuterie from around the world and the friendly, helpful team will be more than happy to put together a cheese board or suggest the ideal anti pasti for your meal.

The main emphasis at Paddy’s remains on showcasing the best of Manx produce and the Christmas Market is a great way to do just that. They will also have organic herbs and preserves from Staarvey Farm, fresh bread and other baked goodies from Liz at The Good Loaf, and hand-made confectionary from Karl at Cocoa Red. They say that Christmas is a time for indulgence – and who are we to argue?

It’s also a time for enjoying traditional treats: that’s why Paddy’s Chef Ian will be busy preparing homemade gravy, brandy butter, rum sauce, chestnut stuffing, mince pies and Christmas puds for your delight.

When you’re surrounded by food this tempting, it can be hard to wait ’til Christmas Day. The good news is, you don’t have to – following the tradition of German yuletide markets, they will be dishing out piping hot soup, hog roast and bratwursts to all who attend. Lastly, to make sure you’re warmed through and through, Martin from Bushy’s will be serving up gluhwein as well as selling his excellent bottled beer.

So, be sure to head down to Paddy’s Market on the Quay (in front of the Yacht Club) in Port St Mary on 19th and 22nd December and share in the festive spirit.

If you would like a Christmas order form or to join us and set up a stall, contact Tim on 834494.

I have just managed to get hold of the latest times and dates for Farmers Markets being held around the Isle of Man in the lead up to Christmas. So there’s no excuse for not having a Isle of Man food Christmas this year by buying local. I think anyone who hasn’t been along to them yet it can be a bit of an eye opener as to what is actually produced and in season on the island, wrap up and check them out it will be a lot of fun too!

3rd December - Farmers Market at Tynwald Mills, St Johns in the courtyard area outside the Neb Cafe (11am-3pm)

5th December - Douglas Farmers’ Market at the Villa Marina colonnades (10am-2pm)

10th December – Farmers Market at Tynwald Mills, St Johns in the courtyard area outside the Neb Cafe (11 am-3pm)

11th December - Isle of Man Farmers’ Markets, Ramsey will be having Christmas Evening Markets at the Corner of East Street, Ramsey to coincide with Ramsey late night shopping (6pm-9pm)

12th December – Christmas Farmers’ Market, Ramsey, on at Albert Road School (10am-1pm)

16th December – Evening Farmers Market at Tynwald Mills, St Johns in the courtyard area outside the Neb Cafe to coincide with late night shopping at Tynwald Mills (6-8pm)

17th December – Farmers Market at Tynwald Mills, St Johns in the courtyard area outside the Neb Cafe (11am-3pm)

19th December - Douglas Christmas Farmers’ Market at Villa Marina Colonnades, mulled wine, mince pies, and hot roasted chestnuts (10am-2pm)

20th December – Castletown Christmas Farmers’ Market will be at the Southern 100 club house on the bypass (1.30pm-3.30pm)

18th December – Isle of Man Farmers’ Markets, Ramsey will be having Christmas Evening Markets at the Corner of East Street, Ramsey to coincide with Ramsey late night Shopping (6pm-9pm)

19th and 22nd December - Paddy’s Market, Port St Mary will be holding their Christmas Continental Market under canvas, there will be plenty of stalls plus music and Gluvine. 19th (10am – 2pm) and 22nd between (5pm-9pm)

23rd December – Evening Farmers Market atTynwald Mills, St Johns in the courtyard area outside the Neb Cafe to coincide with late night shopping at the Tynwald Mills (6pm-8pm)

I heard that Paddy’s Market down in Port St Mary was now not just a fishmongers but more of a Saturday market. So I got my coat on and headed down south in the car to check it out. I was really pleasantly surprised. The usual fishmongers was in full flow with the normal queue building up and a fine arrary of fantastic fish and shellfish on display. Outside, there was also a small number of market stalls including Staarvey Farm with there fresh and potted herbs, a continental style stall (part of Paddys Market) selling a wide range of French cheeses, hams and continental meats, amazing fruit and vegetables with some looking like they were picked out the ground that morning!

Interestingly there was also the Isle of Man’s newest chocolate maker going by the name of Cocoa Red, selling locally produced handmade chocolates that looked delicious.

It’s definatley worth a trip down to Port St Mary on a Saturday morning, you will be sure to pick up something unusual that would make the perfect dinner party talking piece.

I went up to Robinsons at Ballapaddag today by B&Q as they were promoting a Halloween day where you could select your pumpkins and turnips for Halloween or ‘Hop tu naa’ as they call it here on the Isle of Man. I was really surprised at how good it was and what else they had on offer.

As well as a great selection of turnips and pumpkins they also had loads of freshly made hot food to sample including crispy duck and Thai green curry – which I have to admit tasted fab! They had face painting for the kids and the seafood counter looked great with lovely fresh fish including Manq Queenies and Monkfish cheaks. There where the guys from Greeba Farm Manx Mushrooms and also another stall selling local duck eggs. I resisted spending too much (for now any way) and came away with two turnips and some honey roasted cashews, but as the Terminator famously said ‘ Ill be back’ and you can bet your bottom Manx pound coin I will be… very soon!