Reviewing ‘LUXURY’ Food and Drink Advent Calendars

To celebrate this years Sorted Advent, we thought we'd kick things off by reviewing some foodie advent calendars!
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[@Eva-Hahn]

The advertisement is so exquisitely made that it merits a standing ovation. Major compliments also go to Mike's amazing facial transformations and Ben's commitment to the role.

[@ButyoucancallmeKat]

I am so happy!!! No one does Christmas content like Sorted!!! And now we get a video a day???? Sorted Team you have out done yourselves!!!

[@SortedFood]

Oh thank you. Very kind of you!!

[@thisintrovertknits]

Yaaaaay! I'm so happy you are doing the video advent again!

[@lyndacrossley9548]

I love a Sorted Advent and Christmas. You guys know how to bring cheer to our daily lives.

[@chairofthebored]

Ben's excitement over Lemon Balm was way too wholesome I hope all the plants successfully produce and the ingredients are then used in future videos

[@lonyo5377]

Lemon balm wine. Just keep it away from foolish kids who might drink a bottle...

[@redeye1016]

A garden ingredient only pass it on would be great!

[@ClaireMooreSteel]

I got Will from Inbetweeners vibes more than usual!

[@Shibeanful]

I'd like to see the boys try "taste it then make it." Kush would make a dish they would taste, then they'd try to make it without any chef help. 😊

[@SortedFood]

Great idea!! I’ll pass the idea onto the guys.

[@MrGobbelin]

But than the other way around the guys makes something and Kush needs to recreate it 😂

[@jamesahibbard]

Or to steal another one from Hell's Kitchen, the baby food taste test. Get the boys covered in baby food.

[@shachiphene]

I’d love for Ben to take us through the planting to harvesting process with those seeds throughout the year!! Would make an awesome series 😄

[@eugeniebowers5555]

I completely agree, the seed advent calendar is my fav, you can create a wall of pots and grow them in small batches

[@charlottehardy822]

Great idea

[@summere.6225]

Adding my support for this idea!

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

Yeah, that would be great! I second that.

[@ITalkWithDragons]

Would love this!

[@toni_go96]

You guys are spoiling us. Props to the entire team for once again giving us 24 videos, along with the regular uploads, the live show, and the US trip videos.

[@SortedFood]

It's a lot! But hope you enjoy it!

[@toni_go96]

​@@SortedFoodit is very enjoyable. Yall are doing a great job

[@BG-pw4dv]

I love it ​@@SortedFood

[@valap2]

Ben's so excited about the outdoor space, he's mentioned it every video so far. It's like his own personal Narnia.

[@hcjkruse]

@@valap2The Hanging gardens of Ben? Complete with precision feeding and watering using micro controllers and sensors? Room for a small green-house?

[@valap2]

@@hcjkruse Anything less will be disappointing now that you've put that into the universe.

[@kirstenpaff8946]

Ben's enthusiasm over the seeds is so sweet. I would love to have some gardening content next year.

[@deyacht5224]

The way I cheered when then video-a-day message popped up! Dunno how Mike convinced them to do it again, but the community wins all the same!

[@Mel-qr8mw]

We both have ADHD so we've enjoyed the ease of Sidekick for a couple weeks. I made the halloumi and pepper fried rice yesterday and it was genuinely easy and quick, even making it by myself. The visual shopping list is awesome. My only wishes are that it were easier to add our own staple items to the shopping list (like Our Groceries), and that there were some alternatives given for specialty ingredients that might be hard to find outside the UK. We're in northern Finland which has a much smaller selection. As a tech writer who writes instructions for a living, I really appreciate the UX and clarity of the app, and feel like it's already been worth it.

[@SortedFood]

Thank for the feedback. Really useful!!! I’ll pass it onto the team xx

[@furrantee]

@SortedFood this is one thing I'd really like to see. I live in the middle of meat and potato farm country in rural Iowa, USA, with the majority of the farms around corn and soy. Having something that would be a toned down version of the regular meals would be nice. Like an intro level or where you could choose your skill/comfort level to see different dishes. Like the 3 different way videos you used to do.

[@markgaudry7549]

Thank you for pointing out the importance of good instructions for those with ADHD. I haven't gone with Sidekick yet because it seems too complicated to me. However, your comments have turned me around. I also wrote instructions and software training guides and your reference to the quality of the interface is important to me. Great comment. Thanks.

[@markgaudry7549]

@@furrantee Yes!

[@Angela-gl8uy]

I second the ingredient suggestion. The reason I've not yet purchased the sorted app is I don't live in the same country and we don't have the same ingredients available

[@dannyhewson5687]

That seeds calendar should have come with a wall calendar with the planting and harvesting dates for each one on it so they don't get forgotten.

[@alexkeightley1]

I have a wall calendar and I'm very tempted to get it and paperclip them on

[@monica.hdez1]

​@@alexkeightley1that's a great idea! That way you don't forget

[@PermaculturePia]

Such calendars for each growing zone are freely available on the internet. Considering that people from other ag zones, regions, countries may buy this calendar, including a wall calendar becomes complicated. Nice idea, though. Perhaps a reference to a website with such calendars for different places would be a nice addition.

[@shllybkwrm]

💯

[@ShiivaWilding]

That last advent calender is the kind of thing I buy for my parents. I'm a minimum wage earner, I don't enjoy fancy things, but they deserve something like this at Christmas, it's really as simple as that. It's silly, yes I know, but so worth seeing their expressions when the advent calender is the same size as a small school.

[@fionaheatherw]

It would be a brilliant gift for someone living on their own too. More exciting than a hamper.

[@clausaskholm6011]

A series for the new year with Ben and 25 microplots. Doesnt have to be 25 episodes, but starting with him planting, then him commenting on their growth, harvest and finally him cooking a meal with the ingredients. Perhaps an episode a month?

[@ILikeBirds80]

Yes please!

[@pellekanin80]

The seeds calendar is absolutly an advent calendar. Advent comes from the latin word for waiting.

[@SortedFood]

🙌

[@Maddigan]

YES! A VIDEO A DAY! This really helped clear the winter blues last year. Excited for it to be back. I know it's a LOT of work on production, but you should know that it's worth every second!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The ad deserves a standing ovation because it’s so beautifully crafted. Also, major props for Ben’s dedication to the part and Mike’s epic face journeys.

[@Mel-qr8mw]

@@PokhrajRoy. Nearly called my husband in from the workshop just to show him the ad 😂 (just realized this maybe makes him sound like Santa...)

[@bender7167]

I love that they got these costumes. Also Ben’s nipples is something I can’t unsee, 😂

[@Mremeralddragon]

Bens very prominent nipples are the stars of the show.

[@liv3146]

that ad finally got me to download sidekick, I always figured it'd be expensive but with the sale it's like $2/month which is crazy awesome

[@Aquelll]

And extra points for not taping up Ben's nipps... 😏

[@lonewolfe8625]

I am so happy you are doing the ADVENT video series again. 24 days of sorted food is AMAZING

[@Fabio-Jose-DragonKing]

Ebbers in that costume made My day 😂😂😂😂

[@mekkio77]

I just want to know who came up with the idea. Was it Ebbers or did they have to convince Ebbers to do it. "Trust us. This will be fantastic!" And, yes, I love it too.

[@SortedFood]

Love to hear it! Haha.

[@Fabio-Jose-DragonKing]

@@SortedFood You guys are the Best

[@shavranotheferanox7809]

Were the nipples supposed to show?

[@adc787]

It was a little cold in the studio.

[@HFC786]

I hope there’s at least one episode of Christmas food around the world

[@SortedFood]

🤫 😍

[@crazygarnett]

yes please.

[@hylidaecustom]

I second that!!

[@campurriana]

I want it tooooooo

[@nasreenelias6791]

And a pass it on!!!

[@aymiewalshe982]

If Sorted did an Advent calendar...I would absolutely buy it. Hint, hint.

[@SortedFood]

Maybe one day! Haha

[@Getpojke]

They did a smashing video one last year. I'll be rewatching that.

[@aymiewalshe982]

@Getpojke True! Same here! I'm actually surprised they are doing it again this year with the move and all! :)

[@hcjkruse]

​@@SortedFoodMake it a downloadable 3d printable one with a pdf with recipes. Saves on shipping import duties handling fee. Just something that you can print yourself or via a local print service.

[@nasreenelias6791]

​@@SortedFood me too!

[@aarond9563]

1. The Sidekick ad was much better than what I was expecting based on the preface 2. Now a Sorted video will be a part of my advent calendar

[@kateh7484]

Did Ben have to be bribbed to dress up for that advert 😂

[@ChuckFickens1972]

I suspect Ben bribed the production team to let him dress up like that...

[@SortedFood]

Surprisingly no, we think he rather enjoyed it 😂

[@JeffKelly03]

@@ChuckFickens1972 I suspect that that's how Ebbers dresses in his free time, and we're only just now getting a glimpse at his style when he's not rocking the red shorts.

[@black_rabbit_0f_inle805]

I imagine that's standard ebbers attire when he goes to a show.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The advent calendar given to Ben was so on point. I feel like it’s quite the investment for the new studio and a cool home project.

[@JaySay]

HUGE thanks to all of the Sorted crew for giving us another December full of videos for us! _Oh, you shouldn't have!😁_ Love you guys, and hope that this Holiday season goes wonderfully for each and every one of yinz!❤ And I know we've seen the ad already, but I gotta point out just how much Ben is embarrassed by it, because he's as red as a tomato!😂

[@ValeTam]

Italian tip! Venchi is pronounced Ven-key 😊 🍫

[@SortedFood]

You legend! Thank you. 🙏

[@italiana626sc]

Thank you!! Came here to say exactly that.

[@erikkennedy]

Relieved that someone has said this.

[@jackybraun2705]

Glad someone said this. The "h" renders the "c" a hard sound. This also applies to Bruschetta. The rule also applies to "g" when followed by an "h" as in "spaghetti", which you would never pronounce "spa-jetty".

[@aidanbyrne8267]

Please please please upload these videos BEFORE advent!! I get wanting to do it at the beginning or December, but it means that we can't buy any of the products for ourselves in time for advent. It feels like a trade off between "upload a week before advent and help the community" vs "upload at the start of advent and get more views" 😢

[@rbad6215]

this is an incredible point, i imagine it was just an oversight, or they couldnt get some of them in time to film the video themselves

[@TheBT]

​@@rbad6215They did this last time unfortunately

[@aidanbyrne8267]

​@@rbad6215I wish it were the case, but was the same thing with last year's advent calendar video

[@christopherlebel1241]

YAY! I would totally understand if you guys are too busy to make it happen but I am SO hopeful for another "episode every day December" like last year. NO matter what, keep it up Sorted Team!

[@SortedFood]

It’s happening!!!!

[@jennistone6515]

​@SortedFood Thank you. You are my favorite advent calendar! Happy holidays, boys!

[@christopherlebel1241]

@@SortedFood YEEEEES!!!!!!!!

[@kuchenjaeger2164]

@@SortedFood Seriously?! That's amazing!

[@meh926]

now THIS fills me with holiday cheer.

[@monicasantos2216]

Please keep us updated on Ben’s garden! Would love to see the advent calendar lead into recipes. Also the production value of the ad is great! So fun.

[@boykevanderborst682]

Love how you guys want to gift each other Christmas presents and just roll top tier content out of it

[@margowsky]

OMG!! A video every day in Dec. Just what I wanted for Xmas!! How'd you know? THANK YOU for all your hard work. 😘

[@SortedFood]

You are so welcome! 🤗

[@katiewilson8285]

Ben's very elegant pronuciation of Hull - it's never sounded so posh 🤣

[@NerdyMusicChef]

Mike with the matcha reminds me of the flavored cheeses he tried years ago that he loved, and everyone else hated.

[@ookamifuyu]

I do wish you'd release these in november, I understand the waiting for Christmas, with Christmas stuff, and while that's very appreciated, you can't really get the calendar in time if you only learn of them on the first of December

[@TheBT]

Exactly, the timing couldn't be worse.

[@shavranotheferanox7809]

How I read that start: We bought a greenscreen, and now it is going to be your problem

[@siriisonline]

Yes exactly🤣🤣

[@aimeeparrott9204]

Thank you all so much for doing the Advent Calendar again! It's a bit of a tough time for me, and it helps knowing I've got a video a day to look forward to. I know it's a lot of work to do this, and it's VERY much appreciated.

[@bobd2659]

If you play your cards right...or plant your seeds right... you could 'regift' them the next year! Gift a salsa from the tomatoes, pickles from the beans, squash on the dinner table! Now all you need is a 'preserving food' advent calendar with jars, lids, rings, vinegar, salt...

[@marthawilson444]

😂

[@ValeTam]

To this day, the chicken, leek and carrot cobbler I learned from Sidekick has been one of my go to recipes ❤ rich, creamy and healthy!

[@L0rd0fChaos]

That Cartwright and Butler one, I would love that 😂

[@Marysart]

I like the idea of it, but I don't know what I'd do with all that food! 😂. Definitely something very suited for an office.

[@amontpetit]

It really doesnt seem that outrageous either. It's only 8/day; that's reasonable for what you get in each one.

[@L0rd0fChaos]

Thats what im saying. You don't have to eat the whole cake or eat all the brittle in one day, you can get a few days out of each item. Most, if not everything would have a long enough best before date.

[@pilkuu3128]

The way Ben said "Lemon Balm!" like he was a pokemon named Lemon Balm 😂😂😂

[@Jamie_kemp]

They missed the opportunity to call that calendar “Matcha the Day”

[@kuchenjaeger2164]

Yeah I'm gonna need a 24 issue run on the adventures of Super-Ebbers :'D

[@leviathanpayne8379]

I swear Jaime said loves "bottoming" and not botany haha

[@clencheastwood1571]

Sidekick mans power is that he is his own sidekick. Much like Ben in the kitchen.

[@stone5against1]

The matcha calendar is totally something Barry's son would love haha

[@janetnz3389]

Bought the Cartwright and Butler one for me Christmas obsessed niece. Replaced Christmas gift. Advent calendars are great for reminding overseas relatives how much they are thought of in the run up to Christmas. She loved it, bit I am disappointed that such a durable product does not offer a refil option. My request to thier customer services team provided response that I could select the individual products myself to refil. So a wonderful product that did not fulfill its potential.

[@Getpojke]

Did you see Barry's avaricious eyes light up when the Cartwright & Butler one got opened. Could see the wheels turning on how to get it into the car & home with no-one noticing. Please never change Barry. 😆

[@hcjkruse]

@@Getpojke It comes with an extra box to store it in. Easy for reuse next year too.

[@grilnam9945]

Does anyone remember Phil Wang in Taskmaster. Ebbers gave me real vibes, in the ad

[@SortedFood]

Tight reference 👌. Love it

[@srice6231]

If you had a family at home...especially with older kids I would like the big last one! Through the holidays it is easy to spend that much here and there which probably adds up to this amount. Also some items could be saved to put out at a Christmas gathering.

[@HuffleZPuffle]

Hands down best use of green screen 🤣

[@ugosmith7529]

As an avid gardener, that seed calendar is an incredible deal. Most seed packets here are around 4-5$ each (Canada).

[@CummyPancakes]

I really didn't need to see how cold the studio was with ebbers in that outfit.

[@NastiaLonatreva-k3i]

You never fail to surprise us!

[@michellebretschneider-zuo1004]

I bought a 200 pound whiskey advent calendar for my husband and I to share this year, and can confirm they did not give free delivery despite the price (and it showed up with 6/25 vials of whiskey smashed). Will never again buy such an expensive advent calendar. But can confirm the Bonne Maman (jam) and Hotel Chocolat Velvetizer (hot chocolate) calendars are splendid and very worth the money (that velvetizer is the best frother I've ever owned, for chocolate, matcha, and lattes).

[@SpeakTruth1776]

Hello Sorted Foods Creators and Hosts, I came across your channel over the weekend and just wanted to tell you Thank you for all the amazing videos. "Lonely Thanksgiving turned into binge watching and a lot of smiles and laughs". Blessings and Looking forward to catching up on the 12 yrs, lol.

[@SortedFood]

Plenty in the back catalogue to enjoy! Happy belated Thanksgiving

[@GreenyWolf]

Loved the episode, and would have loved to have bought one of the calendars (esp the seeds one) as a gift for my brother, but Advent's already started (so it'd be a bit late) and the calendars aren't on sale anymore :( Love you guys but next time you do an advent calendar episode, please do it in November to give us a chance to buy them!

[@UIairi]

I wish these came out just a little earlier, because learning about an advent the day most start makes it hard to order them.

[@YanalFanio]

Can't believe how good this is!

[@furrantee]

Loving how advent calenders have come so far since the chocolate one when I was a kid. I wonder how much money the total cost of all the veg grown from the seed one would be compared to both bog standard basic grocery stores and a more organic store? If you keep your own seeds each year as well, that one $25 advent calender would create $1000s worth of food.

[@naty51287]

The Cartwright one is a dream! But I would love the garden one! Super fun!!

[@dykam]

As much as I love those calendars, some of those are very very very wasteful when it comes to packaging. The "card" shaped cocktails. The package-in-a-package in the last one. A tiny tin for each matcha flavor. But I guess that's kinda inherent to food advent calendars.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Famous Last Words: “There are also Espresso Martinis.”

[@thomasemery7035]

Actually amazing! I also love the creeping around the corner shots watching Mike cook!

[@makotoisme]

I got my mum a bird and blend tea selection advent calendar a couple of years ago, she enjoyed it a lot.

[@SortedFood]

It's so good!

[@Divig]

Last year Ben said that since so many of the luxury calendars were reusable you should make your own this year. I hope you have done this, it would be fun to get ideas for making our own calendars.

[@woofgbruk5947]

That Cartwright and Butler one was stunning, I would faint if I received that!

[@redeye1016]

A pass it on using only the garden ingredients next year would be epic!!

[@OZARKMOON1960]

The seeds were the perfect gift for Ben - cannot wait to see how they all turn out. Love the NIO drinks advent calendar. As Mike said, it is so expensive to purchase all the alcohol and other liquids to make them, plus some of us don't drink often enough to make it worth the effort. This way, you just get to celebrate - in my case, one drink per night - all the way up to Christmas.

[@harvestmoon_autumnsky]

My husband makes a special cocktail every Christmas Eve for us and my mother to share. But...then we have a huge liquor collection and almost never drink for the rest of the year. I know. First world problems.

[@LordBalkanYm]

Mike's observing his right to make Dad jokes now I see!

[@makeapositivedifference]

The way Mike said, "Is it a yes, or Nio?" 😂😂😂 Loved the review. Well done, guys!

[@WaffleToastering]

16:20 Missed on a Love Matcha-lly pun opportunity right there

[@daphnea5447]

My favorite advent calendar that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying is the Onyx Coffee Calendar.

[@SeanHendy]

A few years ago, the Try Channel did a number of advent calendars, one was Whisky, and I think another was beer.

[@miragenesoi7026]

I saw that one!

[@SeanHendy]

@@miragenesoi7026 rewatching them now lol. There's 4 year's worth. They're smashed by day 5. It's hilarious.

[@GetMiked]

Dan, Ishy, and Leyla nailed their appearance in the ad! Love it! Especially Dan :'D

[@Mary-rr1wz]

Yes! A Sorted video daily is a fantastic Christmas gift! 💜 thank you, Sorted Team!!

[@jenniferfranklin5872]

I can imagine the Cartwright & Butler calendar being perfect for an Ex-Pat living out of country and craving a taste of home during the holidays.

[@jeromethiel4323]

The "seed-vent" calendar is amazing. Not overpriced, and for the right person, an amazing gift. And one that will keep on giving, provided they harvest the seeds for next year, which you should do in any case.

[@shirleycastle5170]

The last one, please, and thank you. I'd have a lovely time with friends and family when they came to visit with those daily lovely treat boxes. It's a great way to make memories.

[@littlebigman5791]

Nice to see something good coming out of hull. Thanks for featuring it fellas.

[@frenchfriar]

I'd love to be able to receive that Cartwright & Butler advent collection! But honestly, the seed collection is a really nice gift idea, too, because it keeps giving all year long. Not all that impressed with the others, they're certainly nice enough, but don't stand out from the crowd.

[@KittyCatThang]

Gosh that Cartwright and Butler calendar is gorgeous. That's a once-in-a-lifetime treat, isn't it?

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

No one ever bought them, when I was a child, but this year I ordered the 12 day Advent Calendar from Bokksu. I have yet to open it (of course), but I can’t wait!

[@theflowerpots]

24 videos in December, plus the US trip, AND a live weekend! You're spoiling us! Thank you to the entire Sorted team for all your hard work ❤

[@maryannburnett5255]

My wee brother got me grow your own advent calendar this year and last year. In my day one i got thyme. It's awesome 😎

[@Dan_Gyros]

Another massive appreciation for Sorted's 24 days of videos this year!

[@susana.9483]

I love how excited Ben got with the seed advent calendar.

[@Joliie]

With the "Chocolate: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)" I have a hard time trusting any chocolate is sourced with anything but profit in mind somewhere on that supply chain, with a little lie or two on it being all good

[@suzawilo]

My thoughts exactly. It's just a bunch of greenwashing😮

[@kierancampire]

Them talking about treating yourself at an expensive time of year. I never do treat myself, especially at Christmas, but I was naughty and bought myself 3 advent calendars this year, 1 bring a Cadbury's one, the other two being bath related, one of which is the Lush £190 advent calendar It is out of usual budget, and was overtly extravagant at an already expensive time, I usually get store brand everything. But I have had a hard life, a very challenging past 7 years, and this year I have achieved some great things and made a lot of progress in some areas. So I wanted to treat myself and splash out on myself for a change! I have been quite looking forward to experiencing December this year!

[@harvestmoon_autumnsky]

You deserve it! Nice job!

[@kap5160]

That ad was just what I needed this morning!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

12:13 Jamie wanted Mike to be distracted by something other than an espresso martini. P.S. Also, the names on the Matcha tins are brilliant haha P.P.S. No powdered food near Mike’s nose plz

[@Kristene.L]

That chef hat on Ebbers in the Sidekick ad is wicked funny 😁

[@melannpurl]

I love your advent calendar videos. The sidekick ad is brilliant 😊

[@Getpojke]

I liked the seeds one most of all, would be really good if they did varieties for small gardens, containers & windowsills too. Would make it really accessible for those who can't get out or live in built up areas. Like maybe micro-herbs or windowsill culinary herbs.🌿🍅

[@DoesAngelsHaveWings]

2:30 i'm pretty sure it's pronounced VenKi. With a K sound. The letter K isn't used in Italian so it is usually replaced by "ch". Like the word "chiaro" is pronounced Kiaro, meaning "clear".

[@Olive01]

I’m an American viewer and just downloaded and subscribed for the year worth of SideKick! Navigating everything tonight and off to cooking tomorrow! I love the normals challenge!

[@SilverBanfaith]

I'd love to see a series about developing different kinds of recipes for Sidekick. Seeing the process from concept to publishing would be very interesting to me.

[@maryholden3136]

The gardening advent calendar looks amazing....i haven't got a garden but I grow chillies, lemongrass, a few herbs and small salad leaves inside of my windows. I'd enjoy it.... you'd have the garland for the Christmas season and the opportunity to give some of the seed packets to other people through the year depending on their own growing circumstances. The month they should be planted would be a great time to send a note to remind them you're thinking about them and enclose a living memento of the relationship

[@marthawilson444]

Lovely! Fun to learn about. None I would personally want. I am more literary and prefer words for my own advent calendar. But I forget that you gave us a video every day and so excited you are doing it again. May your Advent be great!

[@Wyopixi]

The gasp from Ben when he found lemon balm seed. I had the same reaction when mine came up in my garden last spring. Grow on lads. Love from Wyoming.

[@chris2tea]

Love your focus on sustainable sourced chocolate and other practices. Cheers!

[@johnracz6095]

I am happy that Sorted is doing the video a day again this year.😀