From traditional goose roasts to a glass or two of fizz, chefs and food experts from the county share what’s cooking in their kitchens during the festive period.
Richard and Lindsey Johns, The Plough at Wombleton
Award-winning restaurateurs Richard and Lindsey Johns, formerly of the multi-award winning Hovingham Inn, Rascills restaurant near York and Hessle in East Yorkshire, recently returned to the North Yorkshire hospitality scene after acquiring The Plough in Wombleton. It was a long-held dream for the pair - it is third time the couple have pursed the 15th century pub over the last five years. Now, they are serving seasonal plates with new spins put on classic dishes. Here they share how their festive season is going to look.
www.theploughwombleton.co.uk
Where will you be on Christmas Day and how will you celebrate?
We shall be celebrating Christmas by working on the big day! The Plough will be open for Christmas lunch. We tend to 'celebrate' Christmas in the new year, along with my birthday (Richard), being a near Christmas baby!
If you’re working then, when will you celebrate with family?
Some of our family members are booked in for Christmas lunch. It has become somewhat of a yearly ritual. They are usually the first people to book in with us, usually asking around May time if we will be open! We always try and have a drink with them once we have completed lunch service.
You can have a Christmas meal anywhere – where do you go, and why?
The Ritz would come high on the list to go for Christmas dinner. We would have to start saving very early on for it! We’ve been lucky enough to dine there on several occasions. The place is on another level. Amazing food and service.
What’s your family Christmas dinner – and who cooks it?
Usually whatever is left over! By the time everything is done, time is getting on and you tend to get past it. However, we do always enjoy a glass or two of fizz!
What kitchen tool should every home cook be given?
A good knife would be a good start for a keen home cook. Nothing too flash or expensive. I have several knives which have cost me a fortune and rarely get used. Instead, I favour a Victorinox serrated pastry knife. It pretty much can be used for everything and costs around thirty quid each.
What food do you think has to make it onto your festive table?
Christmas lunch is a fantastic celebratory meal. The ultimate roast. A meal we both love. So, for us would have to include all the classics - roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, red cabbage, roast carrots, honey roast parsnips (more for Lindsey than myself!), a lovely gravy. As for the meat, hmm not a massive turkey fan but understand its significance on the festive table. Given the choice, roast beef, roast pork or good quality roast free range chicken would take centre stage.
What will Christmas at The Plough be like?
Hopefully, it will be full of happy and contented customers with plenty of laughter and cheer. We have only missed two Christmas Day services in the last nineteen years, and this will be our first offering at the Plough.
What one tip does every home cook need to know at Christmas?
I would recommend planning ahead. So much of the food can be prepared ahead of the big day. Then on the day, it’s a case of just bringing the meal together without the feeling you may suffer a stress induced heart attack! Do not try and do everything at once, it’s a recipe for disaster!
Sarah Radford, Radford’s Butchers
Radford’s Butchers has been in Sleights for nearly 40 years and the driving force behind it all is award-winning butcher Andrew Radford and his partner Sarah. Christmas is a busy but special time at the award-winning business with festive decorations, a cosy firepit and, of course, all you would need for your festive showstopper feasts.
radfordsbutchers.co.uk
Where will you be on Christmas Day?
After a very busy few weeks, we just love to be at home celebrating with family. On Christmas morning we have a slow relaxing start to the day and finish the day with a big family gathering for our traditional Christmas dinner.
You can have a Christmas meal anywhere, where do you go?
I’ve asked all the family this, and without question home! After a very busy December it’s great to be able to relax at home.
What is your family dinner and who cooks it?
We always have turkey and goose with all the trimmings! Andrew’s Mum always cooks Christmas dinner, she is 87 now and still loves to cook the dinner for us all. And I am glad she does, it’s the best ever!
What kitchen tool should every kitchen have?
The most common question we are asked is how long to cook a joint of meat/poultry. So, I definitely recommend a temperature probe.
What meat should be on your festive table?
Goose was always the traditional Christmas meat and definitely, in our minds, one of the best, closely followed by turkey.
What is Christmas like at Radford’s?
Radford’s is Christmas! We go all out to make sure that every customer leaves not only with their Christmas dinner, but also plenty of festive spirit. We decorate the whole shop inside and out. During Christmas week there is a fire lit at the front of the shop and sherry and pork pie is on offer for all our customers. It is so important to us that everyone enjoys shopping with us for the most celebrated meal of the year.
What tip does every home cook need to know?
Preparation ahead of the big day and checking all your timings on the day itself. And enjoy it!
Adam Jackson, The Old Deanery
Adam is the head chef at this once wedding venue turned one of Yorkshire’s newest dining destinations in Ripon. Adam, who has worked at some of the region’s top restaurants – think Black Swan at Oldstead and his own restaurant Park in Marmadukes Townhouse hotel, which gained three AA Rosettes. Together with Alex Stainby and the team at the family-owned Layton Hill Hotels who also run Galtres Lodge in York, they are creating an immersive dining experience, where you move through the building. Here, Adam shares some Christmas tips and tricks.
theolddeanery.co.uk
Where will you be on Christmas Day and how will you celebrate?
I will be at home this year, and I’ll be cooking (as always!), with two young children assisting me - it has to be a family occasion and we all muck in!
If you’re working then, when will you celebrate with family?
The Old Deanery is a family business, and the owners have a young family also, so getting the day off is a breath of fresh air in hospitality. We’re open until 23rd for dinner, and we reopen on Wednesday 27th for lunch and evening meal, so we’ll have a few nice days off with family.
You can have a Christmas meal anywhere – where do you go, and why?
I would say have it at home or at a family member’s house, but if you’re wanting a restaurant / chef recommendation; I’d say that if I could have anybody at all cook for me, I’d love to go to Marco Pierre White’s house!!
What’s your family Christmas dinner – and who cooks it?
It is always between me and my mother-in-law. We always have roast pork rather than turkey as I don't like turkey, and the kids adore crackling. Controversially, we always have Yorkshire puddings - my six-year-old is a dab-hand at making them!
What kitchen tool should every home cook be given?
A Thermomix - because it’s like having an extra pair of hands. It cooks and blends things at the same time, for example brandy sauce or custard; it stirs and cooks the ingredients whilst you can get one with something else!
What food do you think has to make it onto your festive table?
Pigs in blankets. When I was younger, and worked on Christmas Day, I used to ask my mum to save me them, and I’d have a pigs-in-blankets sandwich after work - so they are very nostalgic for me.
What will Christmas at The Old Deanery be like?
It will be warm and friendly for the festive season. The Old Deanery is a Jacobean mansion, so we’ll be decking the halls in a traditional way with holly cut from the garden, and wreaths made using cuttings from our restaurant manager’s family grounds. I’m planning on dehydrating some orange slices, which will look and smell amazing on the garlands that we hope to have on the fireplaces.
What one tip does every home cook need to know at Christmas?
Brine your turkey before you cook it! It makes it succulent, juicy, and well-seasoned.
Harry Blades
Our Yorkshire Life Young Chef of the Year Award recipient, Harry, works at Bosun’s in York. The 21-year-old began his professional career at just 16-years-old at his local pub, St Vincent Arms in York and until recently worked at Rise at The Grand Hotel, also in the city. A chef who loves being creative and making people happy with good food, is looking forward to a Christmas of cooking and time with family. Here he talks festive feasts and shares his own tips.
bosunsrestaurant.co.uk
Where will you be on Christmas Day and how will you celebrate?
This year, I will be at home celebrating with my family with a great big selection of Christmas food. The last couple of years I have worked Christmas Day so it will be nice to do something a little different this time around. I do enjoy working Christmas Day as the atmosphere in a kitchen is just fantastic.
You can have a Christmas meal anywhere – where do you go, and why?
The Wensleydale Heifer, a fantastic place for Christmas dinner and Sunday lunch with loved ones set in the Yorkshire dales.
What’s your family Christmas dinner – and who cooks it?
My mum cooks Christmas dinner. She sees it as Sunday lunch with a few extras.
Christmas dinner consists of turkey and a goose, depending on how many family members can make it. This is accompanied with a trio of potatoes, dauphinois potatoes goose fat roast potatoes and mashed potatoes with pigs in blankets, sausage and cranberry stuffing, maple glazed carrots, cauliflower cheese, carrot and swede puree, braised red cabbage, sprouts and bacon, honey roast parsnips, roast dinner gravy and cranberry sauce.
What kitchen tool should every home cook be given?
A high-quality stick blender. There is absolutely loads you can do with them.
Soups, purees, emulsions, batters, foams, smoothies, salad dressings and milkshakes.
What food do you think has to make it onto your festive table?
It has to be dauphinoise potatoes and pigs in blankets.
What will Christmas at Bosun's be like?
We have crafted a festive menu which will be served throughout December from contemporary takes on traditional turkey dishes to delectable desserts. Perfect for intimate occasions and celebrations with friends and family.
