Christmas Biscuit Swap at Earl’s Court Supports Refettorio Felix
A Festive Biscuit Swap With a Purpose in Earl’s Court
Earl’s Court is getting a sweet addition to its December calendar. On Sunday 13 December 2026, pastry chef Nicola Lamb will host Christmas Biscuit Bonanza: The Big Swap at Refettorio Felix, based at St Cuthbert’s on Philbeach Gardens. The afternoon has the relaxed feel of a village hall gathering, but with a London twist. Nicola is bringing the American cookie-swap tradition to the capital, building on the Biscuit Bonanza series she first ran through her Kitchen Projects newsletter. Guests can bring a batch of homemade festive biscuits to trade, or simply turn up and fill a keepsake tin with whatever catches their eye. Every penny raised goes to the charity, which makes the event more than a pleasant way to spend a Sunday. St Cuthbert’s is a familiar local landmark, and Philbeach Gardens is one of those quiet streets many of us walk past without thinking. Hosting a community event there keeps the building busy during the festive period and brings in people who might not otherwise visit. If you are travelling from Richmond or Hounslow East, the District line runs direct to Earl’s Court, so the journey is simple. Residents of Whitton can make the trip with a short connection, which makes this an easy outing for families across west London.
The Bakers, the Performers and the Charity Behind the Tins
The baking line-up is impressive. TOAD Bakery, Edd Kimber, August Bakery, Kossoff’s, E5 Bakehouse, Khoury’s and Chloe-Rose Crabtree of Bake Street are among the names joining the swap, with more still to be announced. For home bakers, that means the chance to swap recipes and tips with people who run some of the best-known bakeries in the capital. The afternoon also includes gingerbread decorating led by cake designer Fiona Cairns, a performance from The Mixtape Choir, and warming treats such as mince pies, Islands hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows and quince mulled wine. Local food businesses are getting a boost too. Borough Broth, Odysea, Two Fields olive oil and several bespoke cake makers have donated prizes to an online foodie raffle that runs alongside the event, giving those who cannot attend in person a chance to take part. The beneficiary, Refettorio Felix, is a community kitchen and day centre. It turns surplus food into free, restaurant-quality meals for people experiencing homelessness and social isolation, and it offers counselling, support services and creative workshops. For small local firms, including Hounslow bookkeeping practices that look after charity and sole trader accounts, events like this are a reminder that clear donation records and Gift Aid claims matter when money is raised for good causes.
What Local Residents Should Know and Do Next
If you want to go, book your place through the event page before the day, as numbers are likely to be limited in a venue of this size. Check the booking details for ticket prices and whether you need to bring your own biscuits. If you are baking, aim for something that travels well in a tin, such as shortbread, gingerbread or spiced oat cookies. Raffle tickets are available online, so you can support the cause from home even if you cannot make the afternoon. Keep an eye on the event’s announcements for any updates to the bakery list, the performance times or the raffle closing date. Donations are the core of the day, so if you cannot attend, you can still give directly to Refettorio Felix. Volunteers are often needed for events like this, from setting up tables to helping guests with their tins, and it is a good way to meet people from across the neighbourhood. For Richmond, Whitton and Hounslow residents, the appeal is simple: a Sunday afternoon in Earl’s Court, a tin full of good biscuits, and money that goes directly to a community kitchen that feeds people who need it. It is the kind of local event that is easy to support and hard to forget, so mark the date now.
Source: A Giant Christmas Biscuit Swap Featuring London’s Best Bakeries
