Christmas TV highlights

We pick our festive food- and drink-related favourites from this year's listings.

Christmas is a time for great food and drink, so naturally the TV and radio stations have plenty of programmes from their top chefs. Here's our pick of this year's offerings. We've mostly included new programmes, with a few exceptions, and please check your local listings for exact times.

The Hairy Bikers’ Christmas Party

Si and Dave show you how to create finger food for your festive guests.
BBC Two, Wednesday 12th, 7pm

Raymond Blanc’s Christmas Feast

The French maestro demonstrates his Christmas recipe collection.
BBC Two, Thursday 13th, 7pm

Nigel Slater’s 12 Tastes Of Christmas

Nigel hosts two programmes looking at culinary Christmas.
BBC One, Friday 14th and 21st, 7.30pm

The Roasts Of Christmas Past

A documentary looking at how Christmas cooking on TV has changed over the years.
BBC Four, Sunday 16th, 7pm

Nigellisma: An Italian Inspired Christmas

Nigella creates a Christmas buffet menu inspired by Venice.
BBC Two, Monday 17th, 8pm

The Fabulous Baker Boys Do Christmas

Brothers Tom and Henry whip up 12 Christmas treats.
More4, Monday 17th, 9pm

The Great British Bake Off

Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry bake some festive favourites.
BBC Two, Tuesday 18th, 8pm

Heston’s Fantastical Food

Heston Blumenthal creates edible decorations and a gigantic Christmas pudding.
Channel 4, Tuesday 18th, 9pm

Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers

Nigel puts his Christmas leftovers to good use.
BBC HD, Wednesday 19th, 10pm

Stuffed: The Great British Christmas Dinner

Documentary looking at the history of the biggest meal of the year.
BBC Two, Wednesday 19th, 11.20pm

Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas Cookalong Live

Gordon cooks another live Christmas dinner accompanied by celebrity guests.
Channel 4, Christmas Day, 10am

Julie & Julia (film)

The story of blogger Julie Powell, who vows to master her heroine Julia Child’s recipes in one year.
BBC2, New Year’s Eve, 9.15pm

50 Shocking Facts About Diet And Exercise

As the new year begins, many of us will be thinking about shedding some Christmas pounds. This documentary looks at diets, so-called health foods and exercises.
Five, New Year’s Day, 9pm