Tom Aikens: Food Spy

They arrived ready to serve on disposable trays and were delicious (£29 for 50 canapés; www.canapeum.com).

For anyone worried about overdoing things this month comes a brilliant non-alcoholic solution. The Juice Brewery has launched the Hopper, a completely new concept - a 'soft-brew'. Hops and malt are blended with fruit (using a secret process) and the result is a truly unique, adult taste. They have a frothy head (just like beer, but with fewer calories), are made using natural ingredients and contain absolutely no alcohol. The perfect answer to too many Christmas parties. Find them at Partridges grocers (www.juicebrewery.com).

A classic American Airstream trailer is now parked in Covent Garden; the stylish aluminium vehicle has been refitted as a British pie machine. The Battersea Pie Station prides itself on using only free-range meat in its recipes and offers three delicious varieties: classic steak and ale, chicken and bacon, and butternut squash and goat's cheese. Pies start at £4 and side dishes (try the spicy red cabbage) are £1. Perfect fuel for Christmas shopping (www.batterseapiestation.co.uk).

Patrick Mavros has long been making sterling silver sculptures in his African workshop. So why not jazz up your dinner table with elephant and monkey mustard pots, hippo salt and pepper shakers, an acacia tree candelabra, or visit his Chelsea shop for more ideas? It's seriously worth a visit if you pull out all the stops when you entertain (www.patrickmavros.com).