Sussex's Best Food Boxes
- Nick Mosley
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
I don’t know about you but I’ve never been a fan of food hampers, writes Nick Mosley.
They’re the kind of thing that you get at Christmas, full of random foods that you’d never actually buy or eat and probably don’t know what to do with so they’ll end up regifted like the festive panettoni pass-the-parcel.
Heartfelt and generous perhaps but rather unimaginative much like a restaurant gift voucher that gets lost in the back of a kitchen drawer never to see the light of day again until its expired.
However I had to rapidly re-evaluate my disdain this month when I heard a friend was unexpectedly in hospital and – as a man who loves his grub – I knew that hospital food certainly wouldn’t cut his mustard.
Luckily, there are some cracking Sussex independent producers who now offer not just hampers but also more economical food boxes and pick-and-mix options that can be delivered nationwide.
Now I’ve taken the time to look, I’ve genuinely changed my mind. I mean who wouldn’t like a box of cheese, small batch charcuterie or a pile of handmade ready to eat pies to land on their doorstep. That’s a hint by the way…
Bookham Harrison
For cheese lovers, Bookham Harrison in West Sussex offers hampers centred around its multi-award-winning Sussex Charmer cheese – think creamy cheddar combined with a zing of an Italian hard cheese.
The hampers strike a good balance between luxury and practicality – and they won’t break the bank – making them an easy gift for almost any occasion.
The 5 item mix-and-match bag is £18.50 (plus delivery) and includes two cheeses, South Downs butter, cheese biscuits and a Sussex Charmer pickle that is a perfect pairing with its namesake cheese.
Curing Rebels
Curing Rebels has earned an impressive reputation with chefs and consumers alike for producing award-winning artisan charcuterie with bold, distinctive flavours. Their boxes include carefully cured salamis, coppa and chorizo alongside smoked salmon.
You can visit their store in Basin Road North, or order individual items or boxes from their website for delivery to your door.
The Little Rebel starter box is £35 (plus delivery) and includes two salamis, coppa and their twist on spicy ‘nduja.
High Weald Dairy
High Weald has long been recognised as one of Sussex's leading cheesemakers, producing an exceptional range of cow, sheep and goat milk cheeses from their dairy in Horsted Keynes.
Their hampers showcase the diversity of British artisan cheesemaking, with selections that introduce customers to award-winning cheeses alongside chutneys and biscuits. They're ideal for anyone looking to explore flavours beyond the supermarket cheeseboard.
The Sussex Cheese and Chutney box is £28.95 (plus delivery) and features four of their most popular cheeses and a locally produced chutney.
Mud Pies
Few things beat a proper handmade pie and Mud Pies has become one of Sussex's best-known artisan pie makers for good reason. Based in Chichester their extensive award-winning range includes everything from traditional steak pies to inventive vegetarian options, all wrapped in beautifully golden shortcrust pastry.
Create your own food box to fill the freezer with comforting meals that are ideal for busy weekdays or relaxed weekends. Add in sausage rolls, quiches and sides such as beer battered chips and you've got a box that's guaranteed to please anyone who appreciates honest, hearty food.
The Steak Dinner box is £26.50 (plus delivery) and two steak and ale pies and one of each of steak and stilton and steak and kidney plus two sides.
Piglet's Pantry
If the name Piglet’s Pantry rings a bell then you’re probably a fan of Brighton Albion as they’ve been the official pie maker for the club since 2011.
The Worthing-based business specialises in hearty, handcrafted food boxes delivered nationwide, with everything from boxes of pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls through to indulgent afternoon teas and cream teas. Vegetarian and vegan options sit alongside classic favourites, making the range surprisingly inclusive.
It's comfort food done well, with generous portions packed with quality ingredients. Whether you're sending a birthday gift or planning a family gathering, there's something reassuringly British about opening one of their boxes.
Classic afternoon tea for two is £32.50 (plus delivery) including scones, lemon sponge, Victoria sponge, carrot cake, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and quiche Lorraines.
Weald Smokery
Smoking food properly takes patience and experience, and Weald Smokery has been perfecting both for decades. Based on the border of Sussex and Kent, the family business produces traditionally smoked fish, meats and cheeses using time-honoured methods.
You can order everything by weight – from smoked rainbow trout and haddock through to smoked venison and charcuterie – or select a pre-curated gift box or hamper that also feature matched accompaniments such as chutneys and crackers.
The Little Gift Box is £52 (plus delivery) and features smoked salmon, Sussex cooked ham, olives, cheese biscuits, strawberry jam, chocolates and mini Sicilian cannolis.
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