Having recently tried the Genius mince pies, I was very lucky to try some hand made mince pies by a smaller scale food producer. Step forward The Foodamentalists.

The Foodamentalists are a Yorkshire based company producing gluten free and wheat free (and some dairy free) goods. The Foodamentalists’ savoury and sweet products are baked in their completely gluten and wheat free premises. Their product range includes various breads and bread mixes, pastry, quiche and even Southern Fried Chicken coating.

I think these guys have one of the coolest company names around. Have you ever seen The Apprentice where the contestants have to decide on a company name? It’s normally the first episode and it’s always a bit awkward as the contestants size each other up and jostle to put themselves forward whilst at the same time trying to avoid the poisoned chalice of being Project Manager for the first week. I’ve often wondered whether the Foodamentalists came up with their company name after a brainstorming session or it came to them on a light bulb moment. Hopefully it was thought up in a much more fun way than on The Apprentice.

The very nice Stevan Taylor at The Foodamentalists sent me some of their frangipane topped mince pies to try.

These gluten free, wheat free and dairy free mince pies were really quite unusual. The outside of the mince pie was cased in deliciously firm shortcrust pastry.

The vegetarian mincemeat filling tasted very fruity with juicy currants, sultanas and raisins. What made these mince pies unusual, however, was the frangipane (almond paste) on top. It made the mince pies more cake-like than a regular pastry topped mince pie, but I really liked it. Mr D (who does not need to eat gluten free) described them as the best mince pies he’s ever tasted.

These are mince pies, but with bells on.

The frangipane mince pies retail for £3.99 for a box of six. I am also loving the classy Christmas packaging.

The Foodamentalists sell their products (including these delicious frangipane mince pies) through their website as well as through various stockists. They are regulars at the Harrogate and Otley Farmers Markets and they also visit a number of food fairs in the UK. Full details of all outlets and forthcoming markets and fairs can be found on their website.