Richard McComb selects some of the best regional produce available for the Christmas table.

It should be one of the most inspiring times of the year for food lovers.

Christmas offers the perfect excuse to splash out after a year of belt-tightening. If you can't justify spending a few extra pounds on a bird for the oven or a bottle for the table now, when can you?

The Birmingham area has a small - some would say far too small - number of good independent food shops, but for many shoppers the default location for a fridge and store cupboard fill up is the supermarket, where the shelves typically groan under the weight of mass produced, bland festive food.

Welcome to the world of plastic poultry and cloying mince pies. It can be a dispiriting experience shopping for seasonal roasting joints, traditional pies, desserts, sweet treats and celebration drinks.

But fear not - the Birmingham Post can help you recreate the flavour-filled seasonal spreads of Christmases past. In conjunction with Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF), the regional food marketing organisation, we have drawn up a comprehensive listing for top local producers.

These small, artisan producers are part of a resurgent cottage industry championing local food. Many can deliver straight to your doorstep. There are chocolatiers, rare breed meat farmers, brewers and cheese-makers.

Many products are available from the Local Food Store at the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury, where HEFF has two late-night shopping evenings tonight and on December 13.

For those who like convenience, local food and drink is just a click away by visiting the HEFF online shop at www.heff.co.uk/shop.

Not all of the producers listed here are members of HEFF and the guide does not purport to include every good local baker, butcher or cake-maker in the Midlands. You may well have one just down the road.

 •  Part Two of Richard McComb's guide to regional Christmas produce can be found here.

BAKERY

* Coco Meli Artisan Bakers
Unit 53, Britannia Way, Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield, www.cocomelibakery.co.uk
Lovingly crafted cakes and sweet treats including a rich panforte (whole nuts, figs and spices in an Italian soft set of honey) and a chocolate, orange and Cointreau cake, both for £20. A Chocolate Brownie Christmas Tower is ideal for parties - 20 Belgian chocolate brownies in a winter wonderland (s25).

* Cotswold Handmade Meringues
Terretts Mill, Newmarket Road, Nailsworth, Gloucs, 01453 836611, www.meringues.co.uk
Range of handmade meringues. Perfect for Christmas desserts and buffets.

* Fatherson Bakery
Unit 16 Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire, 01789 766779, www.fathersonbakery.com
Fatherson Bakery is a family-run company, passionate about producing quality handmade cakes, tray bakes and fruit pies.

* Frank's Luxury Biscuits
Unit 12a Holmer Trading Estate, Hereford 01432 376729, www.franksluxurybiscuits.co.uk
Family-run bakery based in Herefordshire producing a range of handmade biscuits and cakes. Delicious iced and fruit topped Christmas cakes. Try the mini Christmas cake as a stocking filler or for place settings.

* Image on Food Ltd
7 Burnside Business Park, Burnside Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, 08450 951270, www.imageonfood.co.uk
Image on Food are producers of gourmet decorated gingerbreads and cookies. The festive range includes Noel the gingerbread man.

* My Cottage Kitchen
Curlew Cottage, Taggs Gutter, Plealey, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 01743 860306, www.mycottagekitchen.co.uk
Award-winning traditional handmade Aga-baked fruitcakes, made in the kitchen of Ursula Evans who has turned her passion for home baking into a successful business. Perfect for Christmas.

* Sunrise Bakery
Woodlands Street, Smethwick, 0121 565 1647, www.sunrisebakery.co.uk
Sunrise Bakery is the leading producer and wholesaler of Caribbean baked products. Try the Paradise Estates Caribbean rum cake, which is a moist fruitcake infused with Jamaican rum as an alternative to a traditional Christmas cake.

* The Cracking Good Food Company
Birmingham, 07826 142624, www.crackinggoodfood.com
The Cracotti range of savoury crackers are double-baked like biscotti and then delicately cut to create the ultimate savoury slices. Ideal for your Christmas cheeseboard.

* The Little Round Cake Company
The Round Bakery, Pensfold Shopping Centre, Gains Park, Shrewsbury, 01743 242277, www.thelittleroundcakecompany.co.uk
Handmade and beautifully designed bakery products including Swiss meringues (merangz), great for a lighter dessert at your festive table.

? Next page: Confectionery

CONFECTIONERY

* Beyond Dark Ltd
24-25 Chester Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 01743 239289, www.beyonddark.co.uk
Producers of Drops of Pure Pleasure. Experience the intense, smooth and sensuous flavours of the finest 70% dark chocolate in a chocolate drop format. An ideal stocking filler.

* Bonbonniere Handmade Chocolate
Acton House, 144 Underdale Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 07962 815508, www.bonbonniere.co.uk
This handmade gourmet chocolate company is run and owned by Melanie Fallon. Her award-winning chocolates are handmade with the finest ingredients, sourced locally where possible.

* Cake Aspirations
1 Barnfield Cottages, Crow Hill, Upton Bishop, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, 01989 780440, www.cakeaspirations.co.uk
Handmade fudge and chocolates including HEFF's Diamond Award winning vanilla fudge.

* Chocolatefarm Ltd
17 Bishops Street, Cherry Orchard, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 01746 712115, www.chocolatefarm.co.uk
Founded by Andrew Shyllon in 2007, every step of the chocolate-making process is completed by hand as "no machine can replace the art of a master craftsman".

* Daniel's Delights Ltd
Units 7a & 8a, Oldham Street, Hanley, Staffordshire, 01782 279866, www.daniels-delights.co.uk
Family chocolatiers. Products are lovingly crafted using the finest Belgian couverture and locally sourced ingredients. Products include handmade truffles, bespoke chocolate bars and "enrobed" fruits and confectionery.

* Louis Barnett Chocolates
181A Enville Road, Kinver, Staffordshire, 01746 764932, www.chokolit.co.uk
Louis joined the select group of Ambassadors of Callebaut this year and joined the International Ambassadors Club, which guarantees the quality of all Chokolit's products.

* Nova Chocolates
137 Teagues Crescent, Trench, Telford, 01952 610540, www.novachocolates.co.uk
Creators of luxury handmade chocolates using the finest Belgian couverture. Products includes lollipops, bars, bags, boxes, seasonal gifts, event platters and bespoke chocolates.

* The Chocolate Nest
Lyth Hill Stores, Lyth Hill, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, 07866 272271, www.thechocolatenest.co.uk
Creates delicious handmade Belgian chocolates and truffles. Offers a range of products from bags of honeycomb milk chocolate to beautifully packaged assorted chocolates and truffles.

* The Pudding Shop
14 Backfields, Upton-on-Severn, Worcestershire, 01684 593867, www.thepuddingshop.co.uk
Traditional home-made puddings made by husband and wife team Don and Dorothy Bridges. The range includes traditional, non-alcoholic, wheat and gluten free, and low-sugar varieties, all available in different sizes for up to 12 servings.

* Walkers Nonsuch
Calverely Street, Longton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, 01782 321525 www.walkers-nonsuch.co.uk
Independent family company established in the late 19th century specialising in manufacturing quality toffee. Now in the fourth generation of the Walker family. All products are made with the finest ingredients including whole milk and butter. No artificial colours or preservatives, it is: "Toffee like Grandfather made."

? Next page: Wines

WINES

* Astley Vineyards
Astley, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire, 01299 822907, www.astley-vineyards.co.uk
One of England's oldest vineyards producing estate grown, single vineyard white wines. Rick Stein recommended, full range of styles, including sparkling and a rare late harvest white wine.

* Lulham Court Vineyard
Lulham Court, Hereford, 01981 251107 www.lulhamcourt.co.uk
A three-acre vineyard situated in the Wye Valley, producing a range of fruity wine ranging from dry through to medium still and a quality sparkling wine.

* Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
01743 761888, www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk, Wroxeter, Shrewsbury
One of the world's most northerly vineyards, producing white, red and sparkling wines.

? Next page: Liqueurs

LIQUEURS

* Celtic Marches Beverages
Wyer Croft, Bishops Frome, Herefordshire 01684 569142, www.celticmarches.com
A family run company with a team dedicated to creating high quality liqueurs, spirits and ciders on a family farm. Number Nine, Bloody Furlong and Slightly Foxed liqueurs. Serve chilled, over ice, with a mixer, as a cocktail or just as they are.

* Charles Martell and Son Ltd
Hunts Court, Brooms Green, Dymock, Gloucestershire, 01531 890637, www.charlesmartell.com
Produces vintage fruit spirits in the copper pot-still in a 17th century distilling house. The fruit is collected from rare perry and apple trees, mashed, fermented and distilled to produce deliciously smooth spirits.

* Chilton Liqueurs
Myndtown Cottage, Lydbury North, Shropshire, 01588 650516, www.chiltondamsongin.co.uk
Damson gin made from Shropshire prune variety damsons which have been steeped in Greenalls gin to produce a rich plummy liqueur.

* Jo Hilditch British Cassis
Whittern Farms Ltd, Kington, Herefordshire 01544 340241, www.britishcassis.co.uk
Jo Hilditch British Cassis and Framboise are deliciously fruity alcoholic mixer drinks made on Jo's farm using Herefordshire fruit. Stylishly packaged and deliciously fresh and fruity, these award-winning products are a prefect gift

* Ludlow Vineyard and Distillery
Wainbridge House, Clee St Margaret, Craven Arms, Shropshire, 01584 823356, www.ludlowvineyard.co.uk
A small scale vineyard, orchard and distillery business producing quality wine, cider, apple juice, brandy, fruit eau de vie and liqueurs. Uses its own other local fruit, press it, and then ferment or distil it to produce beverages of intense natural local flavour.

* Tipsy Fruit Gins
Tipsage Farm, Newnham Bridge, Tenbury Wells, Worcs, 01584 781289, www.tipsage.co.uk
Traditionally made fruit liqueurs, based on gin or vodka, using fresh fruit. Damson, sloe, raspberry, cherry, blackcurrant, lime and Seville orange available in three sizes.

* Williams Gin
Chase Distillery, Rosemaund Farm, Hereford 01531 670 049, www.chasedistillery.co.uk
Hereford gin, made from organically grown cider apples which are fermented then distilled into vodka. The precious liquid is then re-distilled into gin by infusing 11 wild botanicals including juniper, coriander, angelica, liquorice, orrice, orange, lemon, hops, elderflower and bramley apple. To this is added naturally pure water from the aquifer that runs underneath the distillery orchards. Chase also makes an award-winning vodka and marmalade vodka.

? Next page: Beers, lagers and ciders

BEERS, LAGERS AND CIDERS

* Aston Manor Brewery
173 Thimble Mill Lane, Birmingham, 0121 328 4336, www.astonmanor.co.uk
The Birmingham-based brewery is a leading producer of apple and fruit cider with orchards and pressing facility in the Malvern Hills. Kingstone Press, a 4.7 per cent premium dry cider, is available in Morrisons and Iceland stores.

* Bewdley Brewery
Lax Lane, Bewdley, 01299 405148, www.bewdleybrewery.co.uk
Father and son run business. Using only four ingredients (English malted barley, blended hops from Worcestershire and beyond, water and yeast) they produce quality beers of varying strength, colour and taste.

* Freedom Brewery
Bagots Park, Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire, www.freedombrewery.com 01283 840 721
Take your pick of six beers from this leading craft lager brewer, including the sweet yet hoppy/bitter finish of Freedom Four, Freedom Pilsner, Organic Dark Lager and a stout brimming with the aromas of coffee, molasses, fruit and honey. The brewery sits on top of it own source of sustainable, pure limestone spring water. It uses British barley and the hops are sourced from the UK, New Zealand, Germany, Czech Republic and USA.

* Hobsons Brewery & Co
Newhouse Farm, Tenbury Road, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, 01299 270837, www.hobsons-brewery.co.uk
Award-winning local independent brewery. Postman's Knock is a great beer for Christmas.

* Hogan's Cider
North Lodge Barn, Haselor, Alcester, Warwickshire, 01789 488433, www.hoganscider.co.uk
Producers of premium ciders and perry in draught, bottles and bag-in-box. All products are made from 100% fresh-pressed English fruit, grown in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

* Mays Cider
Hall Court, Kynaston, Ledbury, Herefordshire, 01531 660605, www.amazingcider.com
From their family farm, William and Frances May produce a range of superior quality ciders, which have earned a reputation for quality, taste and flavour.

* Oliver's Cider & Perry
Stanksbridge, Hereford, 01432 820569, www.oliversciderandperry.co.uk
Artisan producers of fine, distinctive ciders and perries. Full juice made with vintage cider apples and perry pears from traditional orchards, wild yeast ferments, matured and aged in old oak barrels.

* Purity Brewing Co
The Brewery, Upper Spernall Farm, Off Upper Spernall Lane, Great Alne, Warwickshire, 01789 488007, www.puritybrewing.com
Award-winning beers. Mad Goose, a zesty pale ale, is a great winter refresher.

* Quartz Brewing
Alrewas Road, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire, 01543 473965, www.quartzbrewing.co.uk
Produces a small range of distinctive beers from a master brewer's recipes. Beers are available from the single bottle up to casks, which are great for parties. Christmas presentation pack features a bottle of Blonde Ale, dark winter Cracker Ale and a glass for less than a tenner.

* Sadler's Ales
7 Stourbridge Road, Lye, Stourbridge, 01384 895230, www.sadlersales.co.uk
A family run brewery, producing award-winning ales since 1900. A 12-bottle mixed case (£21.99) features Thin Ice, Mud City Stout, Worcester Scorcerer, Mellow Yellow and Hop Bomb. Also produces novelty beer soap (£5.99).

* Slater's Ales (Eccleshall Brewing)
St Albans Road, Common Road Industrial Estate, Stafford, 01785 257976, www.slatersales.co.uk
Family-run business brewing award-winning ales for 15 years. Bottled beers range in flavour from a pale wheat beer to a stronger ruby-coloured rich caramel tasting beer. Free delivery in 10-mile radius - and on all items over £75.

* Teme Valley Brewery
The Talbot, Knightwick, Worcestershire, 01886 821235, www.temevalleybrewery.co.uk
Craft brewery producing cask and bottle-conditioned beers in the heart of Worcestershire's hop growing area. Proud of its ties to local farming, the brewery uses only Worcestershire grown hops.

* The Friday Beer Company
Units 20 & 21 Link Business Centre, Howsell Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, 01684 438141, www.thefridaybeer.com
The Friday Beer Co is a microbrewery specialising in a range of premium bottle-conditioned ales. Currently producing a mild ale, a classic bitter, a smooth citrus flavoured golden ale and a rich sweet stout.

* The Wood Brewery
Wistanstow, Craven Arms, Shropshire 01588 672523, www.woodbrewery.co.uk
Traditionally brewed cask-conditioned and bottle-conditioned beers. Famed for Shropshire Lad, Parish and Shropshire Lass bitters.

* Westons Cider
The Bounds, Much Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire, 01531 660233, www.westons-cider.co.uk
Westons has been producing traditionally made award-winning cider and perry since 1880 and remains an independent family owned producer. Tipples include Stowford Press, Henry Westons, Wyld Wood and Old Rosie.

 •  Part Two of Richard McComb's guide to regional Christmas produce, containing cheeses, fish, meat, soft drinks, ice cream and preserves, can be found here.