As an award-winning chocolatier and chef, you might think I’m all about the fancy stuff. But when it comes to Christmas dinner, I’m just like you—chief cook and bottle washer! This year, I'm feeding twelve, and while that might sound manageable, I know that staying organised is the key to keeping things stress-free. So, having a plan in place is essential to keep me feeling in control. Here’s a copy of my Christmas cooking plan to help you stay on top of it all.
(Click here for an idea on how much food to buy)
One Week Before (December 12–19)
Write a Menu
Plan your Christmas Day feast, including drinks, nibbles, and snacks. Don’t forget to account for any allergies or dislikes.
Stock up
Start buying drinks, dry goods, tinned items, and your turkey if it’s frozen.
Make a Shopping List
Divide it into sections: dairy, meat/seafood, veg, sweets, etc. Don’t forget essentials like foil, cling film, freezer bags, candles, lemons, ice, and breakfast items.
Check Your Kitchen Inventory
Make sure you have enough plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins, and chairs. Borrow or grab extras from eBay if needed.
The Week of Christmas (December 22nd)
Turkey Defrosting
Move the turkey from the freezer to the fridge to start defrosting. If it's still frozen, don’t leave this until the last minute!
December 23rd (Friday)
Fresh Food Shop
Pick up the fresh items from your shopping list.
Prep Roast Potatoes in Advance
Boil, drain, and cool your potatoes. Open freeze them on trays, then store in plastic containers in the freezer. On Christmas Day, roast them from frozen by spraying with oil, seasoning, and cooking until golden and crisp.
Turkey Seasoning
Season the turkey well and pop it in the fridge (you can use the veg drawer if you're short on space). Store your prepped veg in a covered box in the garage or shed to keep it cool.
Christmas Eve (Saturday)
Turkey Prep
Rinse the turkey, pat it dry, and rub butter under the skin. Stuff it with an onion, garlic, and thyme—or if you’re using a turkey crown like me, place the stuffing underneath. Back into the fridge it goes.
Prep the Roasting Tray Veg
Chop up celery, carrots, garlic, onions, and thyme, and store in a plastic bag in the fridge.
Prawns and Veggies
Move prawns to the fridge to thaw. Prep your veg—sprouts, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes—so they’re ready to cook tomorrow.
Pro Tip: Make stuffing a week ahead and freeze it. Defrost it today for easy cooking on Christmas.*
Christmas Day Plan
For a 1.45 pm Sit-Down, Cooking a 5kg Turkey
8:00 am
Take the turkey out of the fridge to bring it to room temperature.
10:00 am
Preheat the oven to its highest setting. Place the turkey on the roasting tray with the veg.
10:15 am
Put the turkey in the oven and reduce the heat to 180°C (350°F/gas 4). Time to get your family involved—have them lay the table.
10:30 am
Don your Christmas apron or jumper. This is your moment!
11:00 am
Time to steam the Christmas pudding. Use a slow cooker filled 1/3 with water, placing an upturned plate at the bottom as a stand for the pudding.
12:30 pm
Remove the roast potatoes from the freezer to defrost.
1:00 pm
Take the turkey out of the oven and let it rest. Crank up the oven heat to 200°C (400°F/gas 6).
1:15 pm
Roast those potatoes on the top shelf for extra crispiness. Dress your starter plates with salad and prawns or pâté.
1:30 pm
Give the potatoes a good shake. Pop the stuffing in the oven (covered in foil) on a lower shelf to warm up. Start boiling your veg—new potatoes, sprouts, and carrots.
1:45 pm
Time to sit down for Christmas dinner (but keep an eye on the potatoes and keep the sprouts warm before serving).
2:00 pm
Carve up the turkey, serve it with gravy, sprouts, mashed and roast potatoes, and enjoy the feast.
3:00 pm (ish)
Roll out the Christmas pudding, pour yourself a well-earned drink, and take a deep breath—you’ve done it!
With this plan in hand, Christmas dinner will be a breeze
From advance prep to a calm and organised day, you’ll be ready to serve up a feast without breaking a sweat.
All that’s left to do is enjoy the magic of Christmas with your loved ones (and that large drink you promised yourself at the end).
Christmas menu,
|
Dish |
Served on |
Cutlery |
accompaniment |
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|
Starters |
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|
Prawn cocktail |
Coupe dish |
T-spoon Fork |
Brown bread & butter |
|
|
Duck & orange Pate |
side plate |
Butter knife |
Hot breakfast toast & butter |
|
|
Main |
|
|
|
|
|
Turkey |
Dinner plates |
Knife & fork |
Cranberry sauce bread sauce |
|
|
sprouts |
Veg dish |
Serving spoon |
Melted butter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrots |
Veg dish |
Serving spoon |
|
|
|
Roast pots |
Veg dish |
Serving spoon |
|
|
|
New pots |
Veg dish |
Serving spoon |
|
|
|
stuffing |
Veg dish |
Serving spoon |
|
|
|
Gravy |
Jug |
|
|
|
|
Sweet |
|
|
|
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|
Christmas pudding |
Dessert bowls |
Spoon & fork |
|
|
|
Brandy sauce |
jug |
|
|
|
|
Cheese |
Wooden board |
Cheese knife |
Cheese biscuits Butter |
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|
Coffee/ tea |
Tea pot /French press |
Cups t spoons |
Milk dinner mints mince pies milk sugar |
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|
Wine/champagne |
glasses |
Cups t spoons |
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