Raymond Blanc Presents

Your Christmas Kitchen Companion

Tips, timelines & stress-free recipes

Plan Ahead

Your Christmas Countdown

A stress-free Christmas starts with good planning

Weeks Before

  • ✓Make Christmas pudding
  • ✓Order your turkey
  • ✓Stock cupboard essentials
  • ✓Make & freeze mince pies

Days Before

  • ✓Make cranberry sauce
  • ✓Prepare red cabbage
  • ✓Make stuffing
  • ✓Defrost turkey

On The Day

  • →7am — Turkey in oven
  • →11am — Potatoes in
  • →12:30pm — Turkey rests
  • →1pm — Serve!
Raymond Blanc's Christmas Tips

From My Kitchen to Yours

Raymond's Top Tips

  • 1.Rest your turkey — At least 30 minutes, loosely covered
  • 2.Make gravy early — Use giblets for stock ahead of time
  • 3.Mise en place — Have everything ready before cooking
  • 4.Don't overcrowd — Plan your oven timings carefully
  • 5.Ask for help — Christmas cooking is better with company!
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Planning Your Prep

Prepare Early

Make Ahead

  • Cranberry sauce2 weeks ahead
  • Red cabbage2-3 days ahead
  • Christmas puddingWeeks ahead
  • Mince piesFreeze 3 months
View make-ahead recipes →

Cook Fresh

Fresh on the Day

  • Roast potatoesMaximum crispiness
  • Brussels sproutsJust before serving
  • GravyFinish with pan juices
  • CarvingRest first, then carve
View fresh recipes →

Kitchen Secrets

Tap to Reveal Raymond's Tips

Click each card to discover the secret

Christmas Tree
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The Perfect Turkey

Remove from fridge 2 hours before cooking. Season inside and out. Baste every 30 minutes.

Crispy Potatoes

Par-boil for 10 mins, drain and shake to rough up edges. Use hot fat and don't overcrowd.

Silky Gravy

Make stock from giblets the day before. Deglaze the roasting tin with wine, then add stock.

Brussels Sprouts

Halve them, sear cut-side down in hot butter until charred. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Resting Meat

Always rest your roast for at least 30 minutes. Cover loosely - the temperature will continue to rise.

Timing is Everything

Work backwards from serving time. Write a timeline and stick it on the fridge!

Click a bauble to reveal a tip!

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The Day After

Boxing Day & Beyond

Transform your Christmas leftovers into something special. My Turkey Curry is often even better than the original roast!

View Turkey Curry Recipe
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