Your Christmas Feast Made Easy

Preparing Christmas celebration meals from scratch? That’s crazy talk. If you want to take the pressure off, Freo’s food and drink outlets are here to help.

Gourmet snacks

Start strong. Who can resist a platter of fine cheese and charcuterie pimped with quince paste, dried raisins, crisp pear and gourmet crackers? Put something deluxe (and easy!) together by stopping by one of the many gourmet provedores. Little Sister Deli is small but bursting with dairy offerings, salamis and other savoury treats. There’s also European Foods – you know they’re serious when they have a Cheese Cathedral. Grab some crackers from Branka's Crackers Not Nutty. Add some bread from Wild, Little Loaf, or Abhi’s, and enjoy fossicking for the celebratory add-ons (plus sweet treats for afters) at Black Truffle, Gilberts and Kakulas Sister. You might solve a gift dilemma while you’re about it; gourmet hampers are the gourmet provedores’ strong suit. Pick your own goodies (or go the full lazy and let them do it) at My Hamper Place inside European Foods. 

The main event

Order a ham or turkey (or crocodile, why not?) at Frank’s Gourmet Meats, and consider the many pre-marinaded offerings that will swank up a Christmas night barbecue. Frank’s sharp knives are on hand to butterfly a chicken or cut steaks to the perfect width. The Black Truffle's exquisite Christmas hams also make the perfect centrepiece.

Seafood lovers – Fremantle is renowned for its fresh seafood and the festive season provides the perfect excuse to indulge in locally caught crayfish, Fremantle sardines, grilled dhufish, and juicy prawns!, Pre-order your Christmas prawns – or a whole fish to bake – from Sealanes or Kailis Fish Market Cafe. And if you really want provenance, get a Rottnest crayfish fresh from the Western Rock Lobster catch at Fishing Boat Harbour (pre-orders essential). 

For your greens (and reds, oranges, yellows and pomegranate pinks) you’ll want fresh and perky. Peruse the offerings at the Fremantle Markets on the weekend, or pick your selection from Galati, Fremantle IGA or Peaches Fresh Food Market. Find Christmas pears, stone fruits and other seasonal delights here. Go on, grab some nougat or Persian fairy floss for later. Taking an Asian bent? Check out Fremantle Mini Mart for crisp Asian greens and all the condiments. Only organic? Head to Manna Wholefoods.

Tipples

The fridges are stacked with bubbles and limoncello at Old Bridge Cellars, which is always good for a special occasion wine recommendation – as well as handy add-ons like gourmet snacks. Check out their Christmas Hampers which make great gifts too! Head to the cellar for a something flashy. Looking for an unusual orange wine or a cheeky pet nat? Try Wise Child Wine Store in North Fremantle or Market Street. At Fremantle’s oldest liquor store, The Freo Doctor, you can browse the soulful shelves for the perfect pinot or head to the cellar for a Christmas treat. The boutique beer offerings are legion – including the non-alcoholic kind.

Dessert

Did you make those mini canoli and custard puffs and chocolate eclairs yourself? Of course not! Too busy enjoying your guests. Thank you Dolce & Salato in South Fremantle for stepping up with Mignon plates, cheesecake slabs and other authentic Italian delights (Panettone, of course). Gingerbread House Australia has made a home in Fremantle just in time for Christmas! Stop by their store on Hampton Road to pick up your gingerbread house. Also try Patisserie La Vespa, Wild Bakery and Little Loaf for sweet delicacies. Some booze-macerated stone fruit or berry-filled meringues will also impress come dessert time. You only need to drop by Peaches, Gilberts or IGA for the requisite parts.

Your Christmas table 

While planning the perfect menu, you might get to thinking about your Christmas table. Why not treat yourself to a new dining table from Port Jarrah Furniture or East West Design, or some fresh and fancy decorations or serving wares from Corner Store, The Home Provedore, Ginger Morris, Cibo Home, Remedy Store or Winterwares.

Take a load off, lean on the local experts… breathe …and make your Christmas Feast easy in Freo.