TV & RADIO PICKS
The Food Programme, Christmas Day, BBC Radio 4 Sheila Dillon invites the queen of Christmas cooking, Delia Smith, now 81, into her kitchen to relect on her long career. Her name is so synonymous with food, she’s in the dictionary, has sold more than 21 million books and her recipe suggestions have led to shortages of ingredients at Christmas. Fans including Jamie Oliver also tell Sheila how Delia inluenced them.
The Food Chain, BBC World Service
In a follow-up to the series’ March episode in which two cookbook authors in London – one Russian, the other Ukrainian – shared memories of food and friendship, this festive special explores how Ukrainian refugees and the families housing them are looking to celebrate Christmas. Check the schedule for broadcast dates, or catch up on BBC Sounds.
Masterchef: Christmas Cook-o and Festive Extravaganza, BBC One
In two episodes airing before and after Christmas Day, eight of the most memorable celebrities from past series return to the Masterchef kitchen. In the Christmas Cook-o , it’s Bez, Iwan Thomas, Josh Cuthbert and Lesley Garret; while in the Festive Extravaganza, we’ll see AJ Pritchard, Chizzy Akudolu, Kitty Scottclaus and Megan Mckenna competing.