Classic Christmas food, or has Delia had her day?

MANY thanks for reminding us of Delia Smith’s expertise (Mail). She’s the best to advise us in all aspects of cooking — pies, soups, quiches, cakes, etc — and it’s time we had a rest from the constant coverage of Great British Bake Off contenders. Even our local library’s shelves are full of the latter; we search in vain for Delia’s superb books. So welcome, Delia, ‘let’s be ’aving yer!’ again.

Mrs P. FARR, Truro, Cornwall.

IN A world full of has-beens and wannabes, how refreshing to delve into Delia Smith’s Classic Christmas (Mail). Fads may come and go, but only a true professional like Delia stands the test of time. Let’s have some more of Ms Smith. It’s just great to revisit her recipes and dig out my Delia books and start cooking her wonderfully reliable dishes again. Delia, we’ve missed you. SUZANNE TODD, Windsor, Berks.

I CAN’T believe Delia Smith is still churning out all her old classics for Christmas (Mail). I’m 70 and recall them all — she was my hero. But does she think anyone with an ounce of common sense will be standing in their kitchen with a stopwatch timing all that stuff for Christmas dinner? I’d bet my pension that even Delia herself doesn’t. That’s what our fabulous supermarkets are for: all those glossy Christmas catalogues full of ready-prepared food. Plus the fact that so much of it could — if you want to be a martyr — be prepared the day or (if frozen) weeks before. I’ve cooked hundreds of Christmas dinners (I was a publican with a carvery) for many more hundreds of folks who were so tipsy they couldn’t tell a Brussels sprout from a roast potato. Get real, folks, and get savvy. Enjoy the day with your friends and family, not tied to the kitchen sink wrapping sausages in bacon. Next year, I’ll write my own Christmas dinner ‘to do’ list — it won’t be long. Happy Christmas!

JENNIE WATERS, Kirklington, Notts.