Come together

RAVINDER BHOGAL’S CHRISTMAS MENU IS MADE FOR SHARING – PAIR THESE DELICIOUS PLATTERS WITH A VIBRANT TABLESCAPE

THE WARMEST OF WELCOMES

Warm, welcoming and wonderful are the words that best sum up Jikoni, Ravinder Bhogal’s restaurant in London’s Marylebone – and the location of this shoot. Scented with spice and sweetness, her dishes are inspired by her mixed global heritage, with influences coming from Kenya, India and the UK. Fans include Nigella Lawson and Yotam Ottolenghi. ‘Christmas is a time for people to come together and celebrate their traditions,’ says Ravinder. ‘It’s nice to present guests with dishes they’re familiar with, but then to get them excited by an unexpected flavour or hit of spice.’ She recommends big platters for this time of year – easier to prepare and ‘they make the table look like a banquet’. Jikoni, 19-21 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DH; jikonilondon.com

The classic negroni is given a seasonal twist courtesy of clementine juice and rosemary. For each drink, put 25ml gin, 25ml Campari, 25ml vermouth, 25ml freshly squeezed clementine juice and a sprig of rosemary into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake hard. Pour into a tumbler filled with ice and garnish with a slice of clementine and a sprig of rosemary. Cin cin!

Tumblers, Habitat. Champagne coupes, Rockett St George. For a similar tablecloth, try Maison Margaux. Tealight holder, Ikea