CHRISTMAS is coming…

I am so excited to welcome you to our very special Christmas collector’s edition of dish, jam-packed with everything you need to see you through the festive season. An enormous amount of work goes into every issue, and I couldn’t be prouder of what the team have created for you! Starting with Maria Hoyle’s article The Gift of Giving, we look at the therapeutic nature of cooking for others, both how it works as a panacea to the stress of Christmas and the joy that it gives to the recipients. To match the story, we have a beautiful range of treats to make and give in Share the Love by Jane Lyons (page 110). Food Editor Claire Aldous has worked her magic to bring us The Ultimates, providing the best of the classics (page 34), as well as everything you need to serve up a stylish, deceptively easy festive feast in Christmas Table (page 41). Olivia Galletly is the dessert master, and I know her incredible Strawberry, Cherry and Gin Shortcake Trifle will be gracing many tables around the country on December 25 (page 55). I always have leftovers to deal with come Boxing Day, so I’ve whipped up a selection of easy-to-make dishes to ensure the troops are well-fed beyond the main event (page 68). We are all hanging out for some summer sun and gathering friends and family for a few drinks, and now the question of what to serve alongside them has been answered with panache in our Cocktails a Go-go section (page 76) – cheers to that! As the days lengthen and we spend more time outside, what we need are fabulous recipes that we can pull together at speed. Thanks to our bigger-than-ever Food Fast section (page 92), you’ll be able to whip up lunch or dinner in double-quick time.

The dish team had the chance for a jolly good catch-up and to sample some of the recipes from these pages, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to some of our talented crew (below). Let us raise a glass to you and wish you the very best for the most stylish, simple, fun Christmas ever!