Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2025-12-12T09:55:02.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Best kids' afternoon tea in London
items: Best novelty Christmas decorations and quirky baubles for foodies
items: "What I learned cooking Christmas dinner": six hosts share what they’ll do differently this year
items: 15 best foodie subscriptions for Christmas gifts that keep on giving
items: The best Christmas hampers to buy in 2025
items: 5 of the best butter dishes
items: The best Christmas gifts to buy for foodies – food, drink, gadgets, homewares and more
items: Best Advent calendars 2025: chocolate, coffee, alcohol and more
items: Experts reveal the best Christmas sandwiches for 2025 - Winners revealed from M&S, Aldi, Co-op and more
items: We tried 25 panettones so you don’t have to – the best Christmas picks from M&S and Aldi to GAIL’s and Carluccio’s

Best kids' afternoon tea in London
type: item
date: 2025-12-12T09:53:50.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Review
subject: Travel
subject: UK Travel
description: Time for tea? If you want to treat the kids, read on for our picks of the best afternoon tea for kids in London, with teas inspired by sweets, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and more
encoded: Time for tea? Taking kids to afternoon tea is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in the school holidays or for a special occasion or birthday. Many of the iconic London afternoon tea venues, such as The Ritz or The Savoy, will do separate afternoon tea menus suitable for children. But there are some special venues that go even further, with magical afternoon teas that will appeal to kids and adults alike, for a truly memorable experience. Whether inspired by favourite children's stories, recreating nostalgic sweetshop treats or offering cakes and pastries inspired by museums, there's an afternoon tea to appeal to all. The menus and whole experience are fun and delicious and sure to have the kids talking for a long time afterwards. Read on for our picks of the best afternoon tea for kids in London. For more afternoon tea inspiration, check out our full guide to the best afternoon teas in London for even more suggestions, including reviews of famous afternoon tea hotspots such as Fortnum & Mason and restaurants in The Shard. We've also reviewed the best themed afternoon teas in London, with menus centred around art, cheese, London landmarks and more... For more London restaurant inspiration, check out our guides to the best pasta restaurants in London, best food markets in London or the best burgers in London. Best kids' afternoon tea in London at a glance Best all-rounder kids' afternoon tea: The Hansom at St Pancras London, £59 for adults, £35 for children Best London-themed tea: The Dilly, £49 for adults, £39 for children Best for presentation: Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard, from £70pp for adults, £55pp for under 12s Best for luxury surroundings: Palm Court at The Langham, from £85 for adults, £50 for children Best for a post-museum treat: Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel, from £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children Best for storytelling: One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea, from £95pp for adults, £65 for under 12s Best …

Peter-pan-afternoon-tea-ead40e5.jpg
width: 1280
height: 640

Best novelty Christmas decorations and quirky baubles for foodies
type: item
date: 2025-12-11T14:57:12.000Z
creator: Elaine Lemm
subject: Recipes
subject: Review
subject: Christmas decoration
subject: Christmas tree
subject: food baubles
subject: foodie baubles
description: Looking for a fun way to decorate your Christmas tree? Choose from our best foodie baubles of 2025, from pigs in blankets and mince pies to stand mixers, Christmas dinners, a cake stand adorned with treats, and more...
encoded: Foodie Christmas baubles may have been considered a passing trend but have become a firm fixture of Christmas decorations. With foods from Brussels sprouts to roast potatoes, a classic turkey and all its trimmings, mince pies and sparkly layer cakes, there are even pigs in blankets all dressed up and ready to decorate the tree, wreath or table. There's a fantastic array of decorations out there from glass to wood, metal, and acrylic, and prices range from a few pounds for a bit of fun, and upwards for the larger and more intricate or handmade. Whether your tree is for the family, creating a fun display for the children or making an elegant statement, there will be something to suit everyone. Doubtless, many of these baubles are bound to become cherished keepsakes brought out each year to evoke their treasured memories. We have chosen a selection of our favourites that made us smile, gasp with delight or both. For more festive inspiration, visit our reviews section to find over 400 buyer guides, including the best advent calendars and the best Christmas hampers to buy. Best Christmas baubles and decorations for foodies Oliver Bonas croissant sequinned decoration Available from Oliver Bonas (£8.50) Everything gets a sparkly makeover at Christmas and this croissant is no exception. Embroidered entirely with gold sequins, it will catch the lights perfectly on your tree. Bonus points for the neon pink loop to hang it from, too. Available from: Oliver Bonas (£8.50) John Lewis custard cream felt tree decoration Available from John Lewis (£6) This soft custard cream bauble has impressive detail and is a great non-breakable option. You can complete your biscuit tin collection with a felt bourbon and jam biscuit too. John Lewis baubles tend to sell out fast, so make sure you pick one up quickly if you're keen. Available from: John Lewis (£6) Emma Bridgewater Christmas stars tiny teapot decoration Available from Emma Bridgewater (£22) One for the Emma Bridgewater fans, this is…

Christmas-baubles-2025-846f3f4.jpg
width: 4218
height: 3834

"What I learned cooking Christmas dinner": six hosts share what they’ll do differently this year
type: item
date: 2025-11-27T15:04:18.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: Christmas dinner
description: Discover the hosting tips you need to know for Christmas this year – and the mishaps to avoid...
encoded: Are you hosting Christmas this year? Whether it's your first time or your 20th, the thought of cooking the meal on the Big Day itself can feel daunting. We've gathered stories from the Good Food team who've been there, done that, bought the unnecessary ham... Learn from their mistakes and follow their top tips to make sure you have a seamless festive season this year. Happy Christmas! "You don’t need another ham, or another chicken" "I hosted my boyfriend’s family for Christmas in our flat last year. I was very keen to impress and wanted to make sure they were sufficiently stuffed. The 23rd December arrived and I was merrily opening my shopping delivery to unpack our Christmas ingredients. Spotting our chicken and ham, I dived into the bags, grasping them with my hands, and promptly descended into a blind panic that they weren’t big enough to feed the group. This cued a sprint to the local butcher, paying through the nose for another ham and another chicken, then lugging them back to the flat. Just to be safe, I ended up cooking both hams and chickens. Safe to say, we had more than enough meat (it was like a Henry VIII feast) and then we were left with an incredible amount of leftovers. Moral of the story, don’t be like me, the chicken is big enough." Check out all our best Christmas ham recipes or Christmas chicken recipes, to find the perfect one to suit your Christmas gathering. "Make sure the cook gets to eat too" "I was cooking for my whole family – 15 people in total – one Christmas and I was doing it pretty much on my own: turkey and beef, two gravies, all the trimmings etc. My aunt supplied the pigs in blankets and for some reason she bought loads, so there were about 60. More than enough for us all, or so you'd think... I called everyone to the table and told the family to start loading up their plates. When I eventually sat down once everything was ready, I started serving myself. I asked for the pigs in blankets only to be passed the dish – where there we…

christmas-hosting-disasters-5847052.jpg
width: 3333
height: 3333

15 best foodie subscriptions for Christmas gifts that keep on giving
type: item
date: 2025-11-27T15:04:11.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Review
subject: cheese subscription
subject: Christmas gift
subject: christmas gift guide
subject: coffee subscriptions
description: Keep the gourmet deliveries coming, from boxes of brownies to crates of beer
encoded: Choosing the perfect Christmas gift gets a lot easier when it’s something delicious that arrives again and again. Foodie subscriptions really are the gift that keeps on giving: a monthly reminder that someone’s thinking of you, delivered straight to the door. They also spread the fun long beyond Christmas – arguably, presents to brighten up the days are more impactful in January than during the decadence of December. Whether it's for a brownie obsessive, a cheese lover who knows their Comté from their Caerphilly, a gin enthusiast keeping their bar cart well stocked, or a cook who’d swoon over small-batch olive oil, a subscription brings joy long after the decorations come down. From artisanal treats to curated tasting boxes and clever kits, we’ve rounded up the very best edible (and drinkable) subscriptions to give this Christmas. Here are 15 picks guaranteed to brighten the winter months – and maybe even win you the title of best gift-giver this year. Citizens of Soil Olive Oil Club Available from Citizens of Soil (from £15) No one wants to run out of olive oil mid-recipe. Get a 500ml olive oil pouch delivered each month (or every other month if you're not using it up quite that quickly), featuring top quality Citizens of Soil oil – chosen by an olive oil sommelier, no less. The oil is all consciously sourced from small-scale producers that are at least 50% female-led. It's a great way to sample different oils, with each one coming with tasting and pairing notes too. If giving as a gift, opt in for the ceramic pourer to arrive with the first delivery too. Available from: Citizens of Soil (from £15) Fitzbillies Chelsea bun subscription Available from Fitzbillies (from £69 for 3 months) Who wouldn't want a delivery of sticky buns arriving to their door? Subscribe a lucky loved one to a Chelsea bun subscription from Fitzbillies bakery in Cambridge – with deliveries arriving for three, six or 12 months. The famously sticky buns come with a pot of syrup for drizzling; w…

subscription-gifts-82760c1.jpg
width: 3333
height: 3333

The best Christmas hampers to buy in 2025
type: item
date: 2025-11-13T15:16:44.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Review
subject: Birthday
subject: birthday present
subject: Christmas gift
subject: Christmas hamper
subject: christmas-kitchen
subject: Father's day
subject: Hamper
subject: Mother's day
subject: mother's day gift
subject: valentine's day gift
subject: Valentines Day
description: Gift hampers are an extra-special present for Christmas. Discover our favourite hampers to buy, stuffed with everything from chocolate to cheese, gourmet ingredients and pasta
encoded: Christmas hamper season is officially here. There’s something so exciting about receiving a hamper as a gift – opening it up and rummaging inside to unearth not one, but a whole host of goodies, all selected to complement each other. A carefully chosen Christmas hamper makes a great gift or treat to share with your family. Show some love and send an extra-special gift hamper this Christmas to the foodie in your life. We have plenty of fantastic options perfect for foodies, from indulgent chocolate and cheese to natural wine and afternoon tea delicacies. We’ve picked some of the best Christmas hampers from our favourite foodie stores with options for home cooks, budding chefs, and everyone who loves to celebrate with great food. For more Christmas gift guides (including best chocolate gifts, best coffee gifts and best cheese gifts), and visit our reviews section to find more buyer's guides. Best Christmas hampers at a glance Best luxury Christmas hamper: DukesHill Ruby celebration hamper, £225 Best hamper for spice lovers: 'Hot Stuff' chilli lover's gift box, £39 Best hamper for farm-to-table luxury: The Flavours of Oldstead food hamper, £190 Best hamper to bring as a guest: Fitzbillies The Cambridge hamper, £90 Best for luxury Christmas sweet treats: A Little Newt Christmas hamper, £70 Best for Mediterranean food lovers: Odysea Classic Greek Hamper, £55 Best hamper for a pasta lover: Lina Stores La Pasta Hamper, £55 Best for trying new ingredients: Lebnani The Luxe Beirut Box, £46 Best for luxury Christmas gifting for Londoners: Harley's Butchery Luxury Festive Hamper, £350 Best hamper for lovers of authentic Chinese cuisine: Poon's hamper, £70 Best hamper for new Christmas discoveries: Macknade Christmas Favourites hamper, £175 Best cheese hamper: Paxton & Whitfield The Clarence cheese and wine hamper, £100 Best build your own hamper: Guzzl hampers, from £40 Best chocolate hamper: The Best of Lindt Collection hamper, £108.50 Best Christmas hampers to buy for foodie…

DukesHill-Ruby-Christmas-Hamper-Landscape-with-tree-copy-0957f90.jpg
width: 6759
height: 4506

5 of the best butter dishes
type: item
date: 2025-11-13T10:29:38.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Recipes
subject: Review
description: We've found the best butter dishes to buy for yourself or as a wedding or housewarming gift, from simple porcelain, to modern metal and quirky ceramic designs.
encoded: Keep your butter fresh and spreadable with this simple kitchen addition. Butter dishes aim to regulate the temperature of butter, keeping it spreadable for morning toast. Keeping it covered also protects it from light, air and bacteria. You can even use your butter dish in the fridge if you want your butter chilled but protected from the aromas of other foods. If serving breakfast or bringing butter to the table to serve with bread rolls and soup, a butter dish is smarter and cleaner than having open packaging on the table. There are varied styles of butter dishes available to buy. A simple white classic porcelain lid and tray might be what springs to mind, but there are colourful ceramics, simple metal or even tiled and glass options available, so there's a design for every kitchen. This is also helpful if not buying for yourself – a new butter dish makes an affordable housewarming or wedding gift, too. Check out our foodie gift guide for even more inspiration. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our reviews section to find over 200 round-ups of everything from the best slow cookers and best microwaves, to the best coffee machines and best blenders. Best butter dishes at a glance Best investment butter dish: Le Creuset stoneware butter dish, £45 Best butter dish for a gift: Portmeirion covered porcelain butter dish, £18.99 Best glass butter dish: Kadax glass butter dish, £16.99 Best for spreadable butter: Judge butter holder, £20.97 Best round butter dish: Glaze Me Pretty crystal lilac butter dish, £52 Best butter dishes to buy in 2025 Le Creuset stoneware butter dish Available from John Lewis & Partners (£33.60), Le Creuset (£45) Best investment butter dish If you already own a Le Creuset casserole dish, pick up a butter dish to match your set. This comes in the classic range of Le Creuset colours, from the signature ‘volcanic’ orange to white, black or blues. It holds a 250g pack of butter, has a small handle for gripping and a ridged base to hold the …

Best-butter-dishes-c63ad5e.jpg
width: 1200
height: 1200

The best Christmas gifts to buy for foodies – food, drink, gadgets, homewares and more
type: item
date: 2025-11-10T17:00:35.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Gift Guide
subject: Information
subject: Review
subject: Christmas gift
subject: christmas gift guide
subject: christmas gifts ideas
description: The definitive guide to the best Christmas gifts for foodies, from home kits, gadgets and homeware, to edible and alcoholic presents
encoded: Looking for a food- or drink-inspired gift for Christmas? Look no further. We've compiled some of the very best Christmas presents for the budding chefs, passionate foodies and kitchen gadget lovers in your life. For a dose of gift magic, why not treat others or yourself to homeware too, from kitchen accessories and cookware, to unique handmade tableware. These are the ultimate foodie Christmas gifts to find under the tree this year. From gourmet food gifts that tickle the tastebuds, to your favourite food lover's top tipple, there are plenty of gifts to choose from, so treat those you love or even yourself – why not brighten up your own kitchen cupboards? There are indulgent sweet treats, special bottles for a home bar, useful gadgets, gorgeous homeware ideas, and so much more. Browse the list for gift inspiration and then check out our guides for much more, including the best Christmas hampers, best wine gifts or best gifts for cocktail lovers. You can also check out coffee table books on our sister brand olive magazine. Jump to section: Best food gifts for Christmas Best drink gifts for Christmas Best gadgets and kit gifts for Christmas Best home and kitchen gifts for Christmas Best food gifts for Christmas Black Bee Christmas honey Available from Black Bee Honey (£8.95) Slip a jar of seasonal honey into a Christmas stocking. This one is soft-set with notes of almond and vanilla for a marzipan-like finish. Available from: Black Bee Honey (£8.95) Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea for two Available from Virgin Experience Days (£140 for 2) This afternoon tea is something special. Head to Fortnum & Mason for an elegant afternoon tea in a salon opened by HM The Queen, featuring luxurious finger sandwiches, warm scones with velvety lemon curd, and seasonal patisseries. Enjoy a variety of teas including the famous smoky Earl Grey and champagne highlights like a light Brut rosé and Fortnum’s Brut sparkling from Cornwall. Available from: Virgin Experience Days (£140) Cake or …

Pure-Table-Top-ELEANOR-BOWMER-FOR-PURE-TABLE-TOP-FABULOUSLY-FESTIVE-SET-OF-4-GLASS-TUMBLERS-40-8817296-copy-2261725.jpg
width: 3898
height: 2599

Best Advent calendars 2025: chocolate, coffee, alcohol and more
type: item
date: 2025-11-07T13:55:17.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Review
subject: christmas-kitchen
description: Read our round-up of the best Advent calendars, including gin, coffee and beer, plus the best chocolate Advent calendars for traditionalists
encoded: The countdown to Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an Advent calendar, and this year’s offerings are more exciting than ever. There are plenty of options available to suit any taste, whether it’s a classic chocolate indulgence or something a little more unexpected. While traditional chocolate calendars never go out of style, Advent calendars have evolved into a playground of innovation, offering a wealth of alternatives that are as delicious as they are surprising. We’ve tested over 70 Advent calendars this year, with categories ranging from rich truffles and luxury chocolate to more unusual options like matcha tea, jams or chutneys and even hot sauces. Our selection is based on taste, creativity, presentation, practicality and value, ensuring there's something for every kind of festive celebration. Whether you're in search of budget-friendly delights or high-end treats, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we'll be continually adding to the round-up all month as new calendars launch. Our picks are divided into easy to navigate sections, so you can browse everything from tea and coffee calendars to savoury bites, vegan options and splurge-worthy luxury calendars worth over £300. And, with prices starting under £10, there’s no need to break the bank for a daily treat. Advent calendars are available from now and can sell out fast – with sales events and Black Friday on the horizon, don’t miss your chance to snap up the perfect countdown to Christmas. For more than 400 buyers' guides, visit our reviews section to find the ultimate foodie gift guide and our 40 budget Christmas gifts. Discover more Christmas gifting inspiration with our best hampers, gin gifts or best baking gifts. We've also been taste testing the best Christmas sandwiches and the best panettone to buy. Best Advent calendars 2025 Jump to: Best Advent calendars under £10 Best luxury Advent calendars Best tea, hot chocolate and coffee Advent calendars Best sweet alternative Advent calendars Best savoury alte…

Advent-calendars-thumbnail-2025-bd24baa.jpg
width: 405
height: 445

Experts reveal the best Christmas sandwiches for 2025 - Winners revealed from M&S, Aldi, Co-op and more
type: item
date: 2025-10-31T13:06:36.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: News & Trends
subject: Review
subject: Christmas sandwich
description: We’ve tested the best festive sandwiches on the high street and rounded up our favourites below, so you don’t need to wait till 25 December to enjoy all the flavours of a Christmas dinner
encoded: Just like advent calendars and mince pies, the arrival of Christmas sandwiches on the shelves is becoming an annual cultural moment. From turkey toasties to super-sized subs, the task of fitting a whole Christmas dinner in between two (or more) slices of bread is an art being explored in supermarkets, coffee shops and bakeries on high streets across the country from now until the big day itself. This gives you a solid six weeks to replace your usual lunch break prawn mayo or egg & cress with sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, camembert and many more festive flavours. We’ve done the hard work for you and tested Christmas sandwiches from all the big supermarkets to find the best to buy this year. Plus, we've been scouring the high street to try Christmas sandwiches from PAUL, Ole & Steen and more. What did we look for in our search for the the best Christmas sandwich? As well as undeniable festive flavours, we wanted these to be balanced and not too sweet, with complementary elements that allowed you to taste each flavour without competing. Sandwiches should hold together well and not be too messy, and we loved to see interesting innovation, good-quality ingredients and impressive breads. From returning classics to delicious new twists, these are the best Christmas sandwiches to buy this year. For more Christmas inspiration, check out the results of our Good Food Christmas Supermarket Awards (for everything from turkey to Christmas pud) and our picks of the best panettone to buy. Best Christmas sandwiches to eat in 2025 M&S Turkey Feast Available from M&S (£4) Rating: 5/5 A popular choice every year, the M&S turkey feast returns again for 2025. This is a classic Christmas sandwich done well and stood out amongst all the sandwiches we tested. It has clear layers of turkey, stuffing, bacon and a generous level of cranberry sauce that is not overwhelmingly sweet. The bread tastes fresh and soft, and the large chunks of stuffing are a highlight with a good amount of pepper a…

MS-turkey-sandwich-08ec7bc.jpg
width: 1860
height: 1860

We tried 25 panettones so you don’t have to – the best Christmas picks from M&S and Aldi to GAIL’s and Carluccio’s
type: item
date: 2025-10-31T13:01:50.000Z
creator: Lucy Roxburgh
subject: Reviews
subject: christmas buys
subject: christmas supermarket food
subject: Panettone
description: Our foodie experts taste tested over 25 panettones to find the best ones to buy this Christmas, from classic to quirky twists
encoded: Panettone is making a comeback – it is everywhere this Christmas. From supermarkets to bakeries, there has never been so much variety in the world of this traditional Italian festive treat. Panettone is a traditional Italian cake with a sourdough base (referred to as the mother yeast), and an open, light, yielding texture. Traditionally risen slowly over a few days, panettone is baked in a tubular mould that results in a dome-shaped top and good height. Classic panettone contains candied citrus and raisins (in Italy this is taken as seriously as any classic recipe), but nowadays bakers are risking the wrath of traditionalists to get creative with flavours. From adding chocolate to booze, there's a growing world of unusual panettone flavours to try, while still trying to stay true to the bread base. We taste tested over 25 panettones to find the best ones to buy this year – here is our verdict of the ones to get this Christmas. For more Christmas inspiration, check out the results of our Good Food Christmas Supermarket Awards (for everything from turkey to Christmas pud) and the best Christmas sandwiches to buy. Find inspiration for using up any leftover panettone with our panettone recipes including panettone pudding and French toast. Lina Stores traditional panettone Available from Lina Stores (£27.95) Rating: 5/5 Of course, you can rely on the Italians to make a good panettone. This is a perfect example of a traditional panettone – studded with raisins and large juicy chunks of orange peel. It has a soft, buttery texture and attractive domed appearance. It's also an excellent option for a Christmas gift, coming in the signature Lina Stores pretty green and white striped box. GAIL's mandarin & white chocolate panettone Available from GAIL's (£35) Rating: 5/5 This panettone seriously impressed us – we couldn't stop going back for more! It was one of the most moist that we tried – almost more on the cake side than bread. The dough has a butteriness which is perfectly…

Large-Panettone01-copy-17b5d80.jpg
width: 4954
height: 3302