Last month’s Hutong Winter Fayre set new records for attendance. The Winter Fayre, a Hutong tradition since 2008, attracted 500 visitors on Saturday, December 13 and raised over 4000 RMB for Bethel China, a charity which provides medical care and educational opportunities for blind children throughout the country.

“This year’s Winter Fayre was a wonderful reminder on how lucky we are to be part of such a great community here in Beijing,” said Morgan O’Hara, General Manager of The Hutong.

The record turnout meant crowded spaces in the historic courtyard. Unsurprisingly, the busiest area was the rooftop terrace where holiday revelers gathered despite crisp temperatures to enjoy local and international specialties from chefs such as Sue Zhou, Johanna de la Torre, Miss Muesli and Reshma Kahn. Purveyors of fine spirits like Great Leap Brewing, Badr Belloujon of Cuju, and Stephanie Rocard of Mao Mao Chong kept the drinks flowing with our own Education Department pouring their special recipe of hot mulled wine to make sure guests stayed warm.

When asked for his mulled wine recipe, Education Program Director Josh Kernan smiled and said, “I was raised in a pub in rural England and the aroma of mulled wine was ever present during the seasonal period. We were offering the same traditional recipe I was brought up on, but in true Hutong fashion with a Chinese twist of adding gouji berries and kumquats (instead of the traditional raisins and mandarins).”

One of the latest of Beijing’s annual winter fairs, last minute shoppers enjoyed a wide variety of gift possibilities including Beijing Postcards, Too Too Organic Farms, Taozi Tree Yoga, Starfish Jewelry, Shangri-La Farms, Antonia Sampson’s Pearly Jewelry, Simpatia Body Creams, Little Animals Knitwear, Ubi Gallery, and our own line of culinary and gift items.

Paddington Pies, Rager Pies and Sweet Tooth Bakery filled the kitchen with tasty treats. Sweet Tooth sold so many cakes and pies that a resupply was necessary for the early afternoon.

Michelle Tang, Culinary and Venue Director, commented that, “Every year our Winter Fayre never disappoints! Its embodies the spirit that represents The Hutong coupled with mulled wine and mouth watering bites!”

The Fayre lasted into the late afternoon when holiday shoppers were joined by a brace of enthusiastic Santas, who once again made the Fayre a stop on the annual Santacon pub crawl.

Mulled wine, singing Santas, great food and gifts made for the perfect festive atmosphere. We’re already looking forward to next Christmas!