France and Britain might have a historical rivalry, but when it comes to food and wine, they’re a match made in heaven. At The Trading Post, we’re all about bringing British and international foods to France—and pairing them with French wine is the ultimate cross-channel delight. Whether you’re an expat missing home or a French foodie with a curious palate, here’s how to pair British foods with French wine for a meal that’s both très délicieux and quintessentially British.

1. Cheddar Cheese and Bordeaux

Nothing says British like a sharp, crumbly cheddar—perfectly stocked in the dairy & chilled section of our shop. Pair it with a bold red Bordeaux, like a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc. The wine’s tannins cut through the cheese’s richness, balancing every bite. Serve it with McVitie’s Digestives for a simple yet sophisticated snack.

2. Fish and Chips with Sauvignon Blanc

Golden, crispy fish and chips are a British staple—and yes, you can find the essentials at The Trading Post. Match this classic with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. Its zesty acidity complements the fried batter and tartar sauce, making every mouthful sing. Add a dash of Sarson’s Malt Vinegar for that authentic kick.

3. Shepherd’s Pie and Côtes du Rhône

A hearty shepherd’s pie, with its savory mince and creamy mash, deserves a robust partner. Enter a Côtes du Rhône red—its earthy, spicy notes elevate the dish’s warmth. Whip one up using our Bisto Gravy Granules for that true British depth of flavour, and let the wine work its magic.

4. Scones with Champagne

Afternoon tea isn’t complete without scones, clotted cream, and jam—check our Rodda's Cornish clotted cream for the good stuff. Pair them with a dry Champagne from Reims for a luxurious twist. The bubbles cut through the richness of the cream, while the wine’s subtle fruitiness dances with the jam. It’s a British-French fusion that’s pure indulgence.

5. Sticky Toffee Pudding and Sauternes

For dessert, nothing beats sticky toffee pudding—a sweet, gooey treat you can recreate with ingredients from The Trading Post. Pair it with a luscious Sauternes, a sweet white from Bordeaux. The wine’s honeyed apricot notes amplify the pudding’s caramel richness, creating a finale that’s hard to resist.

Why It Works

Pairing your favourite British foods with a variety of French wines isn’t just delicious—it’s a celebration of two culinary worlds. British dishes bring comfort and nostalgia, while French wines add elegance and finesse. With over 150,000 British expats in France craving a taste of home (and plenty of locals joining the fun) this combo is trending in 2025. At The Trading Post, we’re here to make it easy—stocking everything from HP Sauce to Custard Powder, Chateauneuf du Pape to Viognier for your next pairing experiment.

Try It Yourself

Ready to give it a go? Grab your favorite British goodies from our shop, pop open a bottle of French wine, and let the flavors collide. Whether it’s a casual supper or a dinner party showstopper, these pairings are sure to impress.

What’s your favorite British food and wine combo? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear your tasty ideas! Explore our full range at The Trading Post and bring a bit of Britain to your French table.

The Spice Tailor revolutionised takeaway night by creating a series of elaborate curry kits that make it super-easy to add layers of authentic flavour to your homemade Indian, Thai and South-East Asian dishes.

France can be a difficult place to live for curry aficionados. There is some suggestion that whilst the UK boasts over 18,000 "Indian" restaurants, the whole of France contains a fraction of that number (just over 1100). Furthermore, common consensus seems to be that, whilst curry houses can be found in the big cities, they are few and far between outside of urban areas. Furthermore, when you do find somewhere with a choice of curries, the spicing is often on the mild side (particularly for the British palate).

Fortunately, The Trading Post have always stocked a fine selection of curry sauces, pastes and ancilliary spices, condiments and marinades as part of our World Foods section. One of our most recent additions is the excellent Spice Tailor range, which allows even the most inept home cook to make a stunning, fresh and delicately-layered curry. Each kit has easy-to-follow instructions and contains all the ingredients, often seperated into dry spices, sauces and condiments, to ensure that you get all of the flavour with none of the hassle.

Whilst it is a lovely idea to have a larder full of all the kerala lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass, tamarind and countless other herbs and spices required for an authentic curry, it is not always easy (or practicable)... PARTICULARLY in France. The Spice Tailor kits contain all of the ingredients, in the correct quantities, ready for your meal.

With a selection of dishes to suit every taste, mood and heat preference, you can enjoy proper South-Asian meals without leaving the house (or filling your cupboards with tons of ingredients you use sparingly). Featuring Delhi Biryani, Butter Chicken, Fiery Goan Curry, Keralan Coconut curry, Lentil Tarka Daal and Tikka Masala, we have recently added the Thai Red and Thai Green curry kits to our shelves. Why not have a browse of all our Spice Tailor kits, ready to send throughout France, on our website?

Whilst France has a large number of British citizens and expats living in it, there are relatively few particularly British shops in the country. It is almost strange to think that staple supermarkets of the British high street like Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Asda do not exist just across the English Channel. Tesco’s last booze-cruise-bastion in Calais has closed, whilst Marks & Spencer’s handful of Parisien stores appear to have permanently shut their doors. Lidl and Aldi exist throughout France, but their international model of supermarket mean that their offered goods are more reflective of local demands than providing anything that would appear particularly English, Scottish or British.

British goods are therefore most commonly found in small, specialist shops found haphazardly across the country, and through some online stores which offer delivery direct from the UK (or, quite-commonly due to post-Brexit restrictions, Ireland) and sometimes from warehouses in the EU. Unfortunately, the scale of these operations is often small-scale, meaning that the range can be somewhat reduce, or the prices of individual items quite high.

Fortunately, The Trading Post has long-established supply chains to the UK and has been providing British goods (including demonstrably British and Scottish fayre) as well as International items for nearly twenty years from its main warehouse in the heart of the French Alps. We supply directly to individual retail customers and even have a dedicated collection point network allowing many of our clients to receive their goods with no delivery cost whatsoever. Furthermore, we supply a large number of small British shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, meaning that items we import are often on the shelves (or websites) of some of our smaller contemporaries. Even huge supermarket chains receive their British goods from The Trading Post… so if you pop into an Intermarche, Super U, E.Leclerc or Carrefour and they have a British section, they could well have originated from The Trading Post’s warehouse.

By selling British goods direct to individual customers through our website, in addition to the shops that sell to individual customers, in addition to the wholesalers that supply some shops to sell to individual customers, The Trading Post have become probably the most trusted and frequently-used shop for English and Scottish goods in France. In a country where British goods are not always available (particularly at a reasonable price) we are proud that The Trading Post gives everyone a taste of home.

Furthermore, having done countless comparisons with other online stores (such as Brittains, British Store, BaconbytheBox, British Corner Shop and British Essentials), The Trading Post has found itself to be consistently the most competitive in terms of price, range of products available and delivery options to all our customers, large and small.

Find #atasteofhome - check out our full range.

Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a beloved tradition in many countries, but the way it is celebrated varies significantly. In the UK and France, this day is marked by distinct customs, recipes, and traditions. Let’s explore the key differences between Pancake Day in these two nations and what makes each celebration unique.

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar. Traditionally, it was a time to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the 40-day fasting period. Today, it is widely celebrated with delicious pancakes, races, and social gatherings.

Pancake Day in the UK

In the UK, Pancake Day is all about making and eating pancakes, which are thin, crepe-like but slightly thicker than French crêpes. People often top them with classic ingredients like:

• Lemon juice and sugar
• Golden syrup or honey
• Nutella and bananas
• Savory fillings like cheese and ham

One of the most famous traditions in the UK is the pancake race, where participants run while flipping pancakes in a frying pan. These races take place in towns and cities across the country, adding an element of fun and competition to the day.

Pancake Day in France: La Chandeleur

While the UK celebrates Pancake Day on Shrove Tuesday, the French equivalent, La Chandeleur, is held earlier on February 2nd. This tradition, also known as Candlemas, has both religious and culinary significance.

French crêpes are much thinner than British pancakes and can be sweet or savory. Popular toppings include:

• Sugar and butter
• Chocolate spread
• Jam
• Ham and cheese (for savory crêpes)

A unique custom in France involves flipping a crêpe while holding a coin in the other hand. This tradition is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

Key Differences Between the UK and France

If you’re looking to celebrate Pancake Day in either style, here are two simple recipes:

Traditional British Pancakes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 125g plain flour
• 2 eggs
• 300ml milk
• Pinch of salt
• Butter for frying
• Lemon juice and sugar (for topping)

Instructions:

• Whisk the eggs and milk together in a bowl.
• Slowly add the flour and salt, whisking until smooth.
• Heat a frying pan and add a little butter.
• Pour in a ladle of batter, swirling to cover the base.
• Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, then serve with lemon and sugar.

Classic French Crêpes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250g flour
• 4 eggs
• 500ml milk
• 50g melted butter
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

• Mix the flour and salt in a bowl.
• Add eggs and half the milk, whisking to combine.
• Gradually add the rest of the milk and melted butter, whisking until smooth.
• Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
• Heat a pan, add butter, and pour in a thin layer of batter.
• Cook for about 1 minute per side, then serve with your favorite toppings.

Let us know on Social Media which you prefer!