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How To Cook Like A Pro At Christmas

Learn how to cook like a pro at Christmas with this guide, which includes tips to help you create a stress-free festive feast. Whether hosting a couple or a crowd, everything from getting prepped before the big day to dishing up a roast to remember is covered. We have also gathered advice from professionals, like MasterChef winner Ping Coombes and celebrity baker Ruby Bhogal, on how to upgrade a cooking set-up, so that homeowners can create the best Christmas dinner yet.

1. Preparation

Prep like a chef

Save time by prepping veg and making dishes before the big day. These can be refrigerated or frozen until the 25th for a smoother Christmas dinner set-up.

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Prep like a chef

Peeling and chopping are time-consuming tasks, so tackle these chores early. For the super-organised chef, fresh veg can be prepared and frozen months in advance. Many classic holiday foods, like stuffing and Yorkshire puddings, can also be made a few days ahead, so you can focus on getting the turkey right. Upgrade to a more spacious refrigeration unit to enjoy extra storage for supplies and keep essentials fresher for longer.

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Keep cutlery close

For a less stressful festive experience, neatly store utensils in a dedicated drawer to ensure everything the chef needs is close to hand when preparing dinner.

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Keep cutlery close

From small measuring spoons to large spatulas, cutlery storage can accommodate every type of tool. These drawers provide a bird’s-eye view of their contents, making it easier to spot a specific utensil when juggling the many elements of Christmas cooking. With each item organised into its own section, clutter becomes a thing of the past.
“I love my cutlery drawer. It has different compartments that I can put my tableware in, making everything easy to find, which is great when setting the table before everyone arrives.” Ping Coombes

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2. Time to cook

Reliable roasting

Make this year’s roast the talk of the table by switching to a steam oven. This device will keep meat succulent and transform the way you cook turkey forever.

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Reliable roasting

Turkey and other mains can be tricky to get right, especially in a hectic house on Christmas Day. Steam ovens keep the internal cavity moist, preventing food from drying out and ensuring meat stays juicy. This cooking method also locks in vitamins and nutrients for a healthier lunch, and reduces the need for fat or oil, so you can enjoy roasted potatoes with fewer calories.

"You can get away with using a lot less fat with a steam-assisted oven without compromising on taste, making it a much easier and healthier way to cook. It also makes veg tastier, which is good for vegan guests." Ruby Bhogal

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Perfect your parboil

Say goodbye to waiting for the kettle to boil by upgrading to a multi-functional tap. Providing instant hot water, it will save time when preparing veg for holiday dishes.

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Perfect your parboil

Boiling water taps speed up the cooking process by providing a hot stream instantly, which can save time when parboiling potatoes on the day. Unlike filling the kettle, you only use the amount of water you need, which is more efficient and can reduce energy usage. From making festive feasts to making rice or pasta, this fixture is a useful addition to any home. It also makes post-dinner coffees a breeze.

“Instant hot water – who dislikes instant hot water? There is no need to wait for the kettle to boil anymore, which saves so much time when you have a feast to prepare.” Ping Coombes

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3. Clean as you go

Cut counter chores

Spend more time entertaining and less time cleaning by investing in a low-maintenance quartz work surface that can be quickly wiped down.

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Cut counter chores

Tidying as you go is the first rule of any pro chef – especially at this time of year when you want to clean up fast and get back to the party. Heat, scratch, and stain-resistant, a quartz surface is a great choice that makes it easy to wipe away gravy spills or cooking juices. Thanks to its consistent appearance, solid stone creates a premium look and will be a striking centrepiece of the room for many Christmases to come.

“For me, the worktop has to be hardwearing, so a quartz counter is a must-have. It is non-porous and heat-resistant, which makes it easy to keep clean and means I can rejoin the celebrations quickly.” Ping Coombes

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Washing up wonder

Use a dishwasher to keep dinnerware clean before, during, and after your banquet, so you can get on with other tasks – or relax with family and friends.

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Washing up wonder

Hosting a swoon-worthy lunch at home means there is lots of crockery to scrub. A dishwasher will ensure you have fresh pans, plates, and utensils for every course. This also leaves the chef free to prep the pudding or open presents, by cutting down on chores. If you regularly host big crowds, look for a model with a high place setting number or a rapid, 30-minute cycle to keep on top of cleaning.

“I hate washing up, so I love my dishwasher. As well as speeding up the post-dinner clean-up, it gives me more time to spend with family, which is what Christmas is all about!” Ping Coombes

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4. Let the magic happen

Back up snacks

Use larder units to stock up on appetisers and nibbles for guests to graze on while dinner cooks, just in case the main meal takes longer than planned.

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Back up snacks

Even the best-prepared chefs can experience dinnertime delays, especially when cooking multiple dishes at once. Keep friends and family well-fed while they wait for the main event with a selection of goodies stored within a larder. This unit can be customised with door balconies or separately sold baskets to maximise every bit of space, so you can ensure the snack cupboard is always well-stocked.

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Cheers to Christmas

To make guests feel more at home, invite them to keep tipples topped up from a drink cooler – so you can focus on cooking as they catch up over fizz.

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Cheers to Christmas

During December’s festivities, a wine chiller ensures that beverages are cool and ready to pour. Storing bottles here will also free up space in the refrigerator for canapes or those Boxing Day leftovers. While you are busy preparing dinner, guests can help themselves to a refill – and bring the chef a well-earned drink.

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5. Serve and enjoy

Turn up the heat

Quickly whip up extra sauce or sauté sprouts with an induction cooktop, which gives instant heat, ensuring last-minute dishes are ready for the table.

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Turn up the heat

However well-planned the festive menu, it is easy to overlook a dish or run out of something when hosting a big group. Induction devices provide instant heat, offering a fast solution for any missing items. Plus, they only warm up the area beneath a pan, so a room will stay cooler, making the chef and guests more comfortable. For added convenience, opt for a model that allows you to combine zones for a bigger area for roasting trays – great when reducing meat juices for that all-important gravy.

“I love my induction equipment, as it has a bridging function that enlarges the cooking zone to fit bulky dishware, which is essential when you are catering for a crowd at Christmas.” Ruby Bhogal

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Win with warming drawers

Ensure food stays hot and ready to serve with a warming compartment, which also comes in handy for heating plates before dishing up dinner.

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Win with warming drawers

Timings can be tricky when making a complex holiday roast. A warming device will keep cooked items hot while you finish preparing the rest of the meal – and will also be useful if any guests arrive late. To prevent dishes from getting cold before they reach the table, pop plates and serving platters inside to warm before filling them with food. This equipment is also handy for proving dough for a homemade Boxing Day breakfast.

“As well as being great for keeping plates hot, warming drawers are amazing for baking. Now I can prove my bread in there and keep my Christmas feast warm, so that it can be enjoyed properly.” Ruby Bhogal

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