The famous Heston Blumenthal Christmas pudding that took England by storm last year will be available on the Isle of Man this year thanks to Manx Food Retailer Shoprite’s trading relationship with leading UK retailer Waitrose. Manx residents will get the chance this Christmas to find out what the fuss was about regarding Heston from Waitrose Hidden Orange Christmas Puddings, with hundreds of the festive desserts, created by the top chef for Waitrose, arriving on the Isle of Man.?? Huge UK demand caused a nationwide sell-out of the pudding last Christmas and the must-have dessert even appeared on auction site eBay with one being sold for ?250 for an item that originally cost ?13.99.? Waitrose International Growth Manager Rupert Ellwood said: “After last year’s success the message went around the world that this is a must-have Christmas product. Heston has captured the imagination of the international market.”? The 1.2kg puddings, which contain a whole candied orange, have arrived on the Island and are now on sale in the company’s stores at Little Switzerland, Douglas; Bridson Street, Port Erin; Bowring Road, Ramsey and Derby Road, Peel. Shoprite will also again sell the award winning ‘Vintage’ Christmas puddings from local producer Karl Berrie. His pudding is based on a family recipe that goes back generations and heavily features Manx ingredients including Manx Premium strong white King Flour, Manx free range eggs, Manx butter from Isle of Man Creamery, local orchard apples and Bushys Brew ale with Manx grown hops. Shoprite’s Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said: “The Heston Christmas Pudding is a great example of the quality product that we are able to offer our customers thanks to our trading partnership with Waitrose. I’m delighted that we will also be stocking Cocoa Red’s Christmas Pudding, which is not only an excellent tasting pudding but also confirms our continued commitment to stocking local produce as well.”??? ENDS?