Christmas cooking: Make it or fake it!

Want it all home-made but don’t have the time? We get it. Our business was founded on it! In this article, we’ll help show you how to fake it this Christmas. That’s right, but shhhhh now…. we're giving you our top tips on how to order in this festive season and pass it all off as your own.  Your guests will be impressed  and you can feel smug and stress-free. And why not, we call it working smarter not harder. Afterall, you deseve to enjoy Christmas too!

9 top table setting & food styling tips for the festive season

1. The number one rule of faking it is stylish assembly.  Absolutely everything you serve can be bought but it’s up to you to artfully lay it out on your prettiest serving plates, cutting boards and dishes. And make sure you remove the evidence (packaging) before the guests arrive!

2. H2-gO - add citrus slices to water jugs or glassware for a simple but effective way to elevate your hydration.

3. Herb up – buy bunches of fresh herbs and sprinkle on top of the various meals and salads.  You’d be surprised how appetising this can make a dish look. Herbs also make great garnishes on cheese and antipasto platters. And they give off the most delightful smells! You can also add sprigs of rosemary to your table decorations, just for the gorgeous aroma.

4. Special seafood – if you’re tucking into fresh tiger prawns, oysters, gravlax or lobster this Christmas, make sure you throw a bunch of fresh cut lemon wedges onto to the serving platter. Works well with hot seafood dishes too. Don't forget the pretty bowls of dipping sauces that you can add to the table for seafood sauce or aioli.

5. Go nutty – for a more lavish look on your vegetable dishes and salads, sprinkle some sliced almonds, crumbled walnuts or sesame seeds. If you really want to go one better, you can caramelise the nuts in a frypan with brown sugar and a knob of butter. Put the heat on low and stir until the sugar turns to toffee, then turn out onto baking paper until cool, enough to crumble. So moreish on a salad!

6. Drizzle – a little olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice onto any meat dishes that tend to get dried out; this will add some sheen and moisture.  Top with fresh herbs, a sprinkle of spice or lemon zest for added flavour and zshush.

7. Dessert decadence – take your sweets from zero to hero, by dressing bought cakes with fresh berries, or other treats such as Maltesers or choc covered almonds.  Lift it further by dusting icing sugar on top for a snowy patisserie effect. This trick can be used on any biscuit, brownie or cake. Coconut and Milo make excellent dessert toppers too.

8. Table décor – nothing says style like a beautifully laid out table. Use lots of gorgeous glassware, crockery, cutlery, napkins and decorate with candles, fresh flowers, palm leaves or conifer fronds, or Christmas baubles.

9. Top up – keep the wine and bubbles flowing and your guests are sure to have fun. They’ll be falling over themselves to compliment you on your outstanding menu and next level styling!

And last but not least, have some confidence. Hold your head up high and own it. Don’t breathe a word and they’ll never know you didn’t make it yourself. You did after all have the smarts to conceptualise this home-made luncheon so give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy!