Each winter since 1970, local actors put on their best Victorian London costume and re-create the magic of Christmas Eve in the 19th century for a few special weeks.
The fair drops its visitors inside a replica of the enchanting London atmosphere that Charles Dickens wrote about. The sights, sounds and smells are all designed to transport folks back in time.
But perhaps the most important component of the annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair is the food.
“These are individual chefs and family businesses that have been with us for, in some cases, since the beginning,” said the fair’s producer, Kevin Patterson. “Very few of them have actual restaurants. So for those, you can’t get their food anywhere else.”
Patterson’s parents, Ron and Phyllis, started the Dickens Christmas Fair back in 1970, seven years after they started a more popular trend: the renaissance fair.
“It was an educational program to teach people a new way to help appreciate history,” Kevin Patterson said. “And because they wanted year-round employment for actors and event staff, this was something they could do indoors during the winter.”
Just like that, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair was born. It’s been at the 140,000-square-foot Cow Palace since 2000. “And it’s gotten better every year,” Patterson added.
His sons, Drew and Michael, are also producers and help run the food booths in the fair.
Many of the booths have been producing the same delicious treats for decades.
According to Patterson, here are a few tasty bites you don’t want to miss at this year’s event.
Three popular food items
Fish and chips: Made by the same family that first served this exact meal to fair goers back in 1970, the fish is fried in a light batter and served up in healthy portions, alongside some fat chips. “It’s the absolute best because it takes you back to being in England and experiencing fish and chips the way they should be,” Patterson said. “It’s very traditional.”
Mr. Barker’s Bangers: The bangers and mash are made fresh, in-house, with “sausages of the highest quality,” Patterson said. “Everything at the Dickens Christmas Fair is made fresh. Nothing is shipped in or prepackaged. It’s all made in kitchens right there on site.”
Oscar’s Meat Pies: At the popular stand, meat pie options include steak and cheese, beef and mushroom, curry chicken and spinach and ricotta. It also serves Scotch eggs, lamb shanks and English sausage rolls.
Three unusual food items not to miss
Bucket of Duckets from Jack and the Beansteak: This is a bucket of vegan, gluten-free seitan nibblers that will please even the most diehard meat-lovers.
Rum cake from London’s Finest Cakes: The rum cakes and Scotch whiskey cakes sell out daily, so the tip is to buy your cake upon entering the fair to ensure you get one.
Cardamom chocolates from Bramosia Fine Chocolates & Candies: Sold by the piece or the box, this unique truffle combining dark chocolate and cardamom is “like experiencing a treat from the Middle East,” Patterson said. “The chocolatier is one of the best anywhere.”
Three new food items this year
Hometown Creamery: This family-owned, small-batch San Francisco ice cream shop will have a cart at the Dickens Christmas Fair for the first time this year, and rumor has it that it’s making a surprise flavor or two that will only be found at the fair.
Wildfire Jerky Company: With flavors like pickle and Korean BBQ, the small-batch beef jerky company will make its fair debut.
Two English Ladies: The company’s specialty teas will be available at Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe, which also will be selling scones and shortbread. High tea reservations can also be made at the fair.
Details: Open for five weekends from Nov. 22 through Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at The Historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls in Daly City; dickensfair.com.
