A Little Bit of Sweden in the UK with TotallySwedish this Christmas
The interest in Swedish food is on the rise in the UK, with TotallySwedish, one of the leading retailers for Swedish groceries in the UK, seeing a big increase in Brits visiting their two London stores.
Swedish chef Niklas Lindblad from pig farm Nibble Gårdsgris i the Västmanland region of Sweden will be visiting the TotallySwedish store on 32 Crawford Street this week in the afternoon of Thursday 21st November, as well as both afternoons this coming weekend from Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November 2013.
Niklas will be offering samples of fine Husmansbord awarded deli products including crisp breads from Pyramidbageriet and Leksandsbröd, cheeses from Allerum XO, the freshly squeezed blueberry drink Blåbär 100% from Saxhyttegubben, a range of locally produced products from Konsum Värmland and, of course, Swedish Christmas ham from Nibble.
Nibble Gårdgris is a multi award-winning, climate certified pig farm, where free range pigs can choose to stay indoors in underfloor heated stables or go outside for a cooling shower on hot days. The pigs are fed a balanced diet which results in Omega 3-rich meat. TotallySwedish shoppers can order their own Christmas ham and a range of other Swedish Christmas foods which will be ready to pick up in time for Christmas.
"We have always had a large number of ex-pat Swedes and Scandinavians among our regulars but in the last couple of years we have seen more and more British customers coming through the doors. Many people say they have watched popular Swedish crime fiction such as Arne Dahl and Wallander and are curious about the Swedish lifestyle and our food. The 21st - 24th of November are some of the busiest days in our store all year. This is also the weekend of the Christmas Market at the Swedish Church on 6 Harcourt Street, and since Crawford Street is just around the corner, we expect to see many of the thousands of visitors to the Swedish Church market also coming to our shop and we've stocked up with popular Swedish Christmas foods and gift items."
Annethe Nathan, founder and owner of TotallySwedish
TotallySwedish stock more than 800 different Swedish grocery products as well as a range of fine deli products, gift items - including a range of goods for children, handicrafts, magazines, books, DVD's and Swedish design items.
Offering nationwide delivery, visit www.totallyswedish.com Find on Facebook - TotallySwedish1 - Tweet @TotallySwedish1
Swedish Christmas - a unique advent calendar app celebrating Sweden's Christmas traditions
Having earned lead performances in productions such as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, professional soprano singer Mia Karlsson has also created the charming and innovative Advent Calendar app, Swedish Christmas. 
These high quality videos include music performed by some of Sweden's best musicians; the Malmö Chamber Choir, the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, violinist Mats Edén and of course, vocalist Mia Karlsson. In charge of the arrangement and recording was P O Nilsson, Musical Director at Helsingborg City Theatre.
As well as the songs of these performers, the videos also feature displays of festive traditions such as candle-making and dancing games. There are also tasty recipes for making traditional Swedish Christmas food and even an example of a Lucia procession which was recorded in Lund's Cathedral in Sweden.
To download your copy of Swedish Christmas for your smart phone, head to: the App Store (£1.49) or Android Market (£1.70)
Once downloaded, the app offers 24 'windows' to be opened daily from the 1st of December, taking you one step closer to a traditional Swedish Christmas. It also provides text in both Swedish and English.