Christmas is all about eating, drinking, and watching too much telly. Here are some of December’s foodie TV highlights.
Christmas Supermarket Secrets
Gregg Wallace takes a break from intimidating MasterChef contestants to take a look at how some of our biggest supermarkets prepare for their busiest time of the year.
He discovers how millions of turkeys are delivered and the science behind attempts to make Brussels sprouts more palatable.
When is it on? Thursday 12th December, 9pm
Which channel? BBC1
Heston’s Fantastical Christmas
The star chef tackles the challenge of making the ultimate Christmas dinner in this repeat that's well worth catching again.
In the grown-up world, Christmas has lost some of its wonder. Heston wants to change that and plans to create a supersized festive food adventure to be enjoyed by a group of adults who normally have to work on Christmas Day. Heston visits Hampton Court and discovers that instead of turkey, our ancestors preferred to eat pig's head – naturally, he wants to put this on the menu alongside edible Christmas decorations.
The final part of Heston's historical yuletide wonderland takes inspiration from the Victorian period and their love of Christmas pudding. He makes the biggest Christmas pudding ever – one that's large enough to step inside!
When is it on? Saturday 14th December, 12.25pm
Which channel? Channel 4
Come Dine With Me Christmas Special
Joy! There’s a brand new celebrity Come Dine With Me to enjoy this year. This festive special features former Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding, Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, TV personality Jennifer Ellison, actor Alex Carter, and Mrs Moneypenny from SuperScrimpers. Expect amusement of the highest order.
When is it on? Monday 16th December-Friday 20th December, 5.30pm
Which channel? Channel 4
Kirstie’s Crafty Christmas
Christmas is Kirstie Allsopp's favourite time of the year. In this craft-filled show, she shares her festive fast-track guide to ensuring the big day goes with a bang and turns her attention to the topic of festive food: homemade delights include mince pie popcorn with tree syrup, and a red velvet Christmas cheesecake. Kirstie also explores how important provenance and locality is when it comes to eating.
When is it on? Monday 16th December, 8pm
Which channel? Channel 4
Tom Kerridge Cooks Christmas
Happy chappy Tom Kerridge says of his new show: “Join me as I knock up my favourite Christmas roast, make a fantastic seasonal game terrine, and a fruity and spicy alternative to Christmas pudding, all washed down with mulled cider… lush!"
Tom, the only British chef who has earned two Michelin stars by cooking in a pub, will show viewers how to fill a turkey breast with sage and onion stuffing, roll it, and then cover it in a delicious crumble topping made from pistachios and dried cranberries. To accompany the meat he demonstrates how to make the ultimate rye bread sauce and will give some great ideas on how to liven up the veg by cooking glazed carrots with star anise and sprout tops with chestnuts.
When is it on? Monday 16th December, 8.30pm
Which channel? BBC2
The Great British Bake Off Christmas Special
Mary and Paul are back to demonstrate how to make a range of festive baked treats, including stollen and a wonderful gingerbread house.
When is it on? Tuesday 17th December, 8pm
Which channel? BBC2
Christmas Food & Drink with Mary Berry & Glynn Purnell
Culinary legend Michel Roux Jnr and award-winning drinks expert Kate Goodman are joined by the doyenne of British baking, Mary Berry, and Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell to create the perfect Yuletide feast. In this instance it is: the ultimate roast goose with festive stuffing; easy speedy canapés; a spectacular sausage roll; and a sensational quick chocolate torte – all accompanied by a foolproof guide to the best Christmas drinks.
When is it on? Wednesday 18th December, 8pm
What channel? BBC2
The 12 Drinks of Christmas
Brothers-in-law Alexander Armstrong and Giles Coren will be putting all sorts of booze to the test to create their definitive Christmas selection pack for The 12 Drinks of Christmas.
They’ll be looking for 12 different festive drinks they can agree on, ranging from the best Christmas Eve cocktail to the wine to serve with lunch, the brandy to give them their Christmas spirit, a wassail punch, and the ultimate eggnog.
When is it on? Thursday 19th December, 9pm
What channel? BBC2
Gordon Ramsay’s Festive Home Cooking
No Christmas Day cookalong this year, but when you're cooking over the festive holidays it pays to have someone like Gordon Ramsay on your side. Some of Gordon's favourite recipes for the festive holidays include perfect eggs Benedict, beef fillet with salsa verde and smoky pulled pork with chipotle mayonnaise.
Make sure you settle down to his show with a notebook – you might want to jot down some recipes ideas for the big day.
When is it on? Friday 20th December, 8-9pm
Which channel? Channel 4
Jamie's Festive Feast
Everybody's favourite loveable chef prepares some of his favourite winter warmers, including oozy cheesy pasta (not sure about the name but it's bound to taste good), bloody mary beef, and party food such as fiesta tacos and pork kebabs.
When is it on? Monday 30th December, 8pm
Which channel? Channel 4
Tudor Monastery Farm Christmas Special
This special will see Ruth Goodman, Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold explore the festive season as it would have been celebrated during the reign of King Henry VII.
The Tudors took Christmas very seriously indeed, and the observance of Advent (a month of fasting) ended with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and kicked off 12 days of non-stop feasting and merriment, which peaked on New Year’s Day and finally ended on Twelfth Night.
Ruth, Peter and Tom will concentrate on three of the big Christmas feast days: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Twelfth Night. They will make Tudor decorations, engage in festive revels and prepare Christmas feasting delights such as Boar’s Head, Shred Pies (the fore-runners of Mince Pies, made with meat) and Christmas Pudding.
When is it on? Tuesday 31st December, 9-10pm
Which channel? BBC2
What are you looking forward to watching over Christmas? Let us know in the Comments box below.
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