This festive season, two of Devon’s finest artisan producers—Figgy’s Christmas Pudding and Sharpham Dairy—have come together to create a truly indulgent pairing that celebrates the best of local craftsmanship. The result? A luxurious match made in foodie heaven: Figgy’s Deluxe Christmas Pudding served with a generous spoonful of Sharpham Elmhirst, a triple-cream soft cheese that’s as rich as it is dreamy.
🧀 Meet Elmhirst – Sharpham’s Creamy Star
Made with Jersey cow’s milk and double cream, Elmhirst is Sharpham’s most decadent cheese. It’s soft, buttery, and mousse-like when young, and becomes gloriously gooey as it matures. With its clean flavour and velvety texture, Elmhirst is a showstopper on any cheeseboard—but it’s also a surprising and delightful companion to sweet dishes. Check out the poached pear recipe here.
🍮 Figgy’s Deluxe Christmas Pudding – Handmade in Devon
Figgy’s puddings are crafted in small batches using a traditional family recipe, packed with plump vine fruits, Somerset Cider Brandy, and Hanlon’s Port Stout. Steamed for hours, they deliver that nostalgic richness and depth that defines a proper Christmas pudding. Their puddings have earned national acclaim and are Great Taste Award winners and are a staple of festive tables across the UK.
🤝 How the Pairing Came to Be
The idea for this delicious collaboration was born at the Exeter Christmas Market, where the teams from Figgy’s and Sharpham Dairy were manning the Food Drink Devon Christmas Chalet. Over the course of the event, they got chatting, shared stories, and—most importantly—shared tastings.
It was during one of these festive moments that someone spooned a bit of warm Figgy’s pudding onto a slice of Elmhirst… and magic happened. The creamy, savoury richness of the cheese melted into the spiced fruitiness of the pudding, creating a perfectly balanced bite that was both comforting and indulgent.
“It was one of those unexpected pairings that just worked,” said Nicky. “We knew we had to share it.”
Fancy trying this combination yourself? Look out for sampling days of the Food Drink Devon Chalet this year, and you might be lucky enough to have Sharpham Dairy and Figgys sampling on the same day this year, but you are sure to be able to buy both products for the duration of the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market.
✨ Celebrate the Collaboration – Win a Festive Feast!
To mark this delicious Devon pairing, Sharpham Dairy is running a festive giveaway on its Instagram! One lucky winner will receive:
🎁 A whole 1kg Elmhirst cheese
🎁 A Figgy’s Deluxe Christmas Pudding
Head over to Sharpham’s Instagram to enter and celebrate the season with this indulgent prize.
🧺 The Devon Feast Hamper – Now Available Online
Want to enjoy Figgy’s Christmas pudding and maybe try with other Sharpham favourites You can now buy The Devon Feast Hamper on the Sharpham Cheese website. This beautifully curated hamper includes:
- A range of Sharpham cheese, including flagship creamy Brie
- A beautifully illustrated boxed Figgy’s Christmas Pudding
- Plus a selection of other artisan Devon treats—from chutneys and crackers to sweet accompaniments and drinks.
It’s the perfect gift for food lovers or a luxurious centrepiece for your own festive table.
🥂 Celebrate Devon’s Finest
This collaboration is a beautiful example of what happens when local producers come together—community, creativity, and incredible flavour. Whether you’re hosting a festive feast or looking for a unique gift, Elmhirst and Figgy’s Christmas Pudding are a pairing worth celebrating.