Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cook, it’s always good to have some expert advice to hand when it comes time to make the most important meal of the year. That’s why we asked the head chefs at some of the UK’s best restaurants to share their tips and twists on the festive classics – from Christmas pudding and turkey alternatives to excellent gravy recipes.

Ryan Chetiyawardana is Mr Lyan – the ground-breaking, taste-making bar owner and mixologist who’s redefined London’s cocktail scene and won more awards than you’ve had negronis. He knows everything worth knowing about the best booze and where to drink it, so we’re delighted to present his own personal little black book…

Paul Feig is best known for creating the cult classic show Freaks & Geeks and directing Bridesmaids and Ghostbusters. In 2020, he started a daily Instagram live series called Cocktail Time! and his new book is all about how to make classic cocktails and throw parties – each served along with funny insider stories about Paul’s Hollywood life and famous friends. Here are three great recipes to try at home.

Comfort food doesn’t get better than a hot pie with lashings of gravy and fluffy mash. Reckon you could make your own? We asked some of the nation’s top chefs for their tips and hacks…

Decent food at home starts with quality meat. That’s why we asked nine of the country’s best chefs to share their favourite butchers in London – and what they ask for at the counter...

Mezcal is tequila’s cool older sibling – and it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. We went to the pros to find out why this smoky Mexican spirit is one of the most interesting things to be drinking right now…

From an essential cookbook to a must-have sustainable knife and some cool new roasts to try this season, these are the best food and drink launches to know about.

New book ‘Great Pubs of England’ by photographer Horst Friedrichs and travel journalist Stuart Husband is an epic virtual pub crawl charting the illustrious history of English pub culture. Whittling it down to 33 of the country’s finest and most distinctive inns, the authors travel the length and breadth of the country – from Yorkshire dining destinations to Cornish beer shrines. Here, Stuart shares his favourite boozers for all types of occasion…

Exciting times – Ottolenghi’s got a new cookbook out. This one’s all about using simple, homemade condiments to elevate crowd-favourite staples like roasted mushrooms or fried eggs. Here are three of the recipes we rate…

After some fresh food inspiration? Instagram has it in spades. From Michelin-starred chefs to restaurant and home-cooking influencers, these are the food accounts you should follow.

When it comes to affordable wines, David Farber – co-founder with Idris Elba of wine bar Porte Noire – has his ear to the ground. Here’s his pick of the current crop…

Fish pie is the kind of dish that works as well for a Friday-night dinner as it does for a comforting Saturday lunch. From twists on the classic recipe to mashed potato alternatives, we asked some of the UK’s top chefs to share their ultimate tips for making it at home.