The big day is literally just around the corner and while we’re looking forward to unwrapping our presents and diving face-first into a mountain of food, there’s one festive foodie gift we can’t stop thinking about: Stockport County’s Christmas dinner in a cup.
Yes, the mother of all Sunday roasts is probably the best meal of the year but do you know the next best thing? A portable one that you can take with you to the game.
For the uninitiated, a couple of years ago Stockport County had the ingenious idea to level up matchday scran by swapping out the humble chips and gravy, Rollover hotdog or a simple pie to serve up an absolutely stuffed-to-bursting cup of the Christmas dinner with a bunch of trimmings.
No Yorkshire pudding just but we’re sure they’re working on it; maybe they can use that as the cup next time? Nevermind – check how good this looks:
The festive period is upon us which can only mean one thing… @StockportCounty's Christmas dinner in a cup is BACK. 😍
As you can see, beyond just getting a bit of meat and carbs with some moisture (the bare minimum you want to consume inside the stadium), the Hatters are serving a fair few of your five a day, lovely roasted turkey, pigs in blankets and even stuffing to top off their festive special.
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Since debuting back in 2022, the idea has been a rousing success and even those who might have raised an eyebrow at a mini portable roast, selling out pretty much every week during the previous holiday season too.
Now back for just the third year running, they’ve had 12 whole months to perfect the recipe and while the product may be even better this December, it will still only set you back just £4.50.
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Absolutely unreal value for money, as we’re sure the Footy Scran admin would agree, especially given the cost of living these days.
Head Chef John Rose, who served us up a healthy tray of them in 2023 and the year prior, even managed to rope in right-back Macauley Southam-Hales to serve the first few portions up to the staff and players earlier this month.
At this point, County are becoming just as synonymous with the Christmas dinner in a cup as they are hats…
‘Macca’, now the second longest-serving player behind goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe, was understandably impressed with John’s no-spill cooking skills and given that this mobile meal delivers pretty much every food group a growing boy needs, we’re fairly sure he’s allowed this one the diet sheet.
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Once again, this PCD (Portable Christmas Dinner) costs less than a fiver and is much healthier, both in portion size and actual nutritional value, than you’ll find at virtually any other football ground in Greater Manchester.
Available exclusively at the County Courtyard fan zone at Edgeley Park throughout the festive period, plenty of fans have already been lining their stomach with the Christmas dinner in a cup and with two home games left – counting the New Year’s Day fixture – you’ve still got chance to grab one.
V.Goode Pies – Michelin-recommended Manchester restaurant launches new pie shop
Daisy Jackson
A new pie shop has opened in Manchester today – and it comes from the same team behind a Michelin-recommended restaurant.
Chefs Shaun Moffat (of Winsome fame) and Sam Grainger (Madre, Belzan, Doug’s and loads more) have joined forces for V.Goode Pies.
The Oxford Road pie shop promises to serve ‘the kind of pies Manchester’s been waiting for’ that won’t cost the earth.
Shaun and Sam dreamed up the idea following the success of the pie offering at Winsome, which are a highlight of its proudly British menu.
Now open on Oxford Road, you’ll find four core individual pies as well as breakfast pies.
Expect classic flavours like cheese and onion, and meat and potato, but also less common creations like a lasagne pie and a breakfast pie too.
There’ll be the option to have your pie served in a barm, Wigan kebab-style, or have it as it comes after a hefty dunk in a vat of gravy.
Pie dinner trays at V.Goode PiesInside the breakfast pie and the lasagne pie at V.Goode PiesA pie barm at V.Goode PiesShaun Moffat and Sam GraingerTraditional British piesThe full spreadInside V.Goode PiesCredit: The Manc Group
You can also have it served on a classic dinner tray, with mash and mushy peas on the side.
As well as traditional fillings, V. Goode Pies will have more out-there bakes like a lasagne pie, where layers of pasta are packed into a pie crust.
You can also expect rotating specials and collaborations.
V.Goode Pies – or, to use its government name, Valerie Goode’s Pies – is inspired by co-founder Tom Fastiggi’s dinner lady grandmother and pie connoisseur.
V.Goode Pies will take over the old Loaf store on Oxford Road and is set to open on 18 November, with a pop-up also planned at Freight Island this winter.
The pie shop will be open Monday to Saturday, from 8am until they sell out.
Tesco unveils Britain’s favourite Christmas meal deal – is yours on here?
Thomas Melia
Supermarket giant Tesco has announced brand-new data revealing Britain’s favourite Christmas meal deals.
But has yours made the cut?
Of course, Christmas is famed for its food, especially the Christmas dinner, but nowadays, the days leading up to the big day have also become filled with foodie feasts, and nothing proves this more than the popularity of the Christmas meal deal – something which Tesco, arguably, knows how to do better than anyone else.
Tesco has been actively tracking the nation’s everyday eating trends all year long, and now that the festive season’s here, shoppers favourite Christmas meal deals have been announced.
It seems meal deal lovers are eager to get into the Christmas spirit, with the best-selling main being the Tesco Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich.
Tesco has unveiled Britain’s favourite festive meal deal / Credit: Tesco plc | The Manc Group
This roast dinner-inspiredbutty has been purchased over 2.5 million times between October and December 2024, and it was so popular, in fact, that it was chosen almost three times as often as this year’s runner up – Tesco Jingle Brie Sandwich.
To pair with this much-loved sandwich is the classic Mccoy’s Flame Grilled Steak Crisps, which are championing the snack category overtaking last year’s champion, Egg Protein Pot, which finished third this year.
And if you’re wondering what beverage Brits are pairing with their lunchtime combinations, it’s none other than Coca-Cola 500ml.
This will come as no surprise to any avid meal deal fans, as this drink has worn the crown as the nation’s favourite drink, not just during Christmas but the whole of 2024 itself.
Tesco top 10 festive meal deal mains (October – December 2024)
1.
Tesco Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich
2.
Tesco Jingle Brie Sandwich
3.
Tesco Yuletide Half ‘N’ Half Sandwich
4.
Tesco Christmas Wrapped Up
5.
Tesco Festive Chicken & Trimmings Sub
6.
Tesco Ho-Ho-Hog Wrap
7.
The Gym Kitchen Chicken Bacon & Stuffing Sandwich
8.
Tesco Cracking Currywurst Sub
9.
Tesco Finest Festive Chicken & Bacon with Gravy Mayonnaise Dip
“Turkey isn’t just for the big day, our customers love bringing festive flavours to their lunchtimes even as early as October,” commented Sarah Bryer, who is the Product Development Manager for Tesco Meal Deal.
“With the crowd-pleasing Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich back again, this year’s line-up of Meal Deal mains has something to suit both traditionalists and those looking for something new with the addition of our Honey Ham, Red Leicester and Festive Chutney Sandwich, Finest Brie and Bacon Brioche Bagel, and Tesco Plant Chef Festive Feast Wrap.“
Danny Jones -
19th December 2024 
