‘Tis the season for comfort food.

And while it might be a little quieter as the town waits out the Level 5 restrictions, down at The Stuffed Olive in Bantry, preparations for a carb-fuelled Christmas are continuing apace.

This week, customers of the much-lauded café, run by Patricia Messom with the help of her daughters Sarah and Grace O’Shea, got to sink their teeth into the first of The Stuffed Olive’s new Christmas sourdough loaves.

Two sourdough specials on tomorrow 🍞🍞

• First up we are trialing a Chocolate, Hazelnut and Cranberry (which we soaked in cointreau) Loaf 🤞🤞🤞

• And an Olive, Parmesan & Thyme Loaf ♥️#realbread@RealBreadIRL @RealBreadIRL @McKennasGuides pic.twitter.com/sN6Msqbc3Q

— The Stuffed Olive (@TheStuffedOliv) November 12, 2020

Baked in two flavours (a Chocolate, Hazelnut and Cranberry soaked in Cointreau and a savoury Olive, Parmesan and Thyme that would be sensational in a St Stephen’s Day leftovers sandwich) the breads will be available in the café for the coming weeks.

The bakery is adding the outrageously festive bakes to the ever-expanding list of naughty treats on the takeaway menu.

While you’re there, fill a box with cinnamon knots, salted caramel whoopie pies and lemon meringue cruffins.

Be still my beating heart 💗💗Cruffins today – Raspberry with sesame seed nougatine ❣️ pic.twitter.com/tjlTixvYza

— The Stuffed Olive (@TheStuffedOliv) November 14, 2020

The Stuffed Olive has also launched a selection of Christmas hampers stuffed with Irish artisan picks including Durrus Cheese and Mella’s Fudge.

We’re counting down the days until travel restrictions are lifted.