Jane Lovett Invites You to 'Ease into Christmas' with a Week Long Series of New Festive Demos
‘Christmas comes but once a year’, as the proverb goes, so it beats me why we’re always taken by surprise at its impending arrival – “Gosh, only 2 weeks till Christmas” we all say in a flustered tone when it creeps up apparently ‘unexpectedly’.
I know you’ll be groaning at the mention of Christmas in September; nonetheless this is the opening sentence from my book The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook.
Preparing as much as possible in advance is the key to success in the kitchen and will reduce stress levels considerably. This is something I practise all year round, but at Christmas it’s more important than ever.
I do hope you will be able to come and join me for the Christmas-themed demonstrations I’ll be doing at Divertimenti in November when I will be demonstrating brand new recipes for the festive period and beyond.
These new recipes are not in the book, however as it’s possible to prepare the lion’s share of Christmas Day fare ahead (from October onwards), I’ll be sharing plenty of tips and tricks from the book and answering questions about advance preparation and lightening the load in the run-up.
I hope these new demo recipes and chat, as well as the book, become your Christmas companions, offering a guide to lightening the task, should it be daunting – a helping hand at a busy and stressful time of the year – aiming to make it the fun occasion it should be for everyone, hosts included.
I’ve always believed that presentation makes all the difference. After all, we eat with our eyes in the first instance. A beautifully arranged plate doesn’t just look inviting — it sets the stage for enjoyment, sparking anticipation before the first bite.
That doesn’t mean I’m talking about elaborate, “cheffy” restaurant-style plating. I’m not a chef, neither do I aspire to be. As home cooks, most of us simply don’t have the time (or extra pairs of hands!) to fuss with intricate arrangements, even if we wanted to.
Instead, the secret lies in keeping it simple but thoughtful. A well-chosen platter or two, some lovely bowls, and a little care about how food is arranged can transform even the most everyday meal into something that feels special.
This is where Divertimenti comes to the rescue with the fabulous choice of serving dishes in their shop and online. A beautiful large platter for your turkey; smaller platters or bowls for the trimmings and sides (I like shallow open ones best for showing off the food with all the components visible) and all manner of other fabulous ceramics from around the world.
Whether your taste is for large patterns and bright colours, a pared back and simple look, or perhaps rustic and natural made by an artisan, Divertimenti has got you covered with their diverse range – have a look!
I would also point you in the direction of mini pudding basins (Tala + Mason Cash). These little basins are great for mini-Christmas Puddings, Sticky Toffee Puddings, Chocolate Fondants, Twice-baked Soufflés and potato recipes, as well as cold creations such as Individual Summer Puddings and many starters.
Tarte Tatin dishes are also second to none and produce the most perfect tatin. Again, choose an anodised option where possible.
I hope to see you in November,
Jane x