There are people in this world who seem to have mastered the problem of organizing a Christmas lunch. Jessica Brook, Home Beautiful’s talented food expert, is one of these people. A professionally trained chef, recipe writer, food editor, stylist and consultant, Jessica knows how to find a perfect menu, whatever the occasion. She is an expert in creating food stories and writing recipes; you can find his recipes on Magnificent welcome here.

Jessica brings her culinary knowledge and personal style to every recipe she writes, and it’s no different when she hosts a meal at her home. To find out exactly how she does it, we sat down and talked about all things Christmas and how she organizes it all on this day. Tip: she doesn’t do it all the same day.

Jessica Brook’s 5 Christmas must-haves

Wrap yourself in tinsel, get into the Christmas spirit and follow Jessica’s lead as she shares her top tips for hosting the ultimate Christmas lunch, including her tips and thoughts on table setting, preparing certain meals in advance, making things more meaningful with a centerpiece, and even how to make it a Christmas one when it’s just you and another special human this year.

What is the ultimate Christmas meal?

How to set the table for Christmas lunch?

“Setting the table is a great way to set the scene, and it may seem simple, but I do it well before the guests arrive. I like to take out the plates and dishes the day before. I actually put Post-It notes describing each dish on the trays, so I know everything is covered. This way I’m not rushed on the day to make sure I have enough trays.

I also keep things simple. I usually focus on one subtle theme to tie the whole day together. This can be taken from simple items like a lemony table runner. I will then incorporate lemon into the daily menu in a simple way. I will place lemon slices in glasses for water, halved lemons with squeeze dishes, and store-bought lemon sorbet to accompany the berries for dessert.

Nostalgia is also in order, especially at Christmas. If you have a favorite dish or a tablecloth, perhaps a decoration, then take it out and make it a centerpiece of the day. Besides being beautiful, it will be a talking point for family and friends.

Pick up some nice smoked salmon and ricotta and superior little blinis – either homemade according to Jessica’s recipe or store bought – and prepare smoked salmon blinis.

Home Great advice:

How to organize a Christmas lunch for a crowd?

“I favor a set-it-and-forget-it feel when I’m hosting a special occasion for more than, say, eight people. The set-it-and-forget-it style of food is ideal for a large crowd. Start with a simple grazing board, it’s an easy way to bring people together around the table. It’s also great for picky eaters because they can choose what they want and not offend anyone by avoiding what they don’t like. A Classic French salmon rillette (pictured above) is perfect for hosting a crowd.

I focus on proteins that can be eaten cold in a set-it-and-forget-it meal. Ham can be glazed the day before, a stuffed roast chicken is still good cold, and a simple baked fish can be served cold or at room temperature – think a side of poached salmon – with plenty of salads, sauces and condiments .

Simple but hearty side dishes are also essential. Salads don’t have to be inferior to main dishes. Simple fresh salads with flavorful dressings are always popular on my Christmas table.

I make sure to take extra care with salad toppings – like caramelized roasted nuts, summer stone fruits, or dressings with a special twist (adding specialty vinegar, mustards, or condiments).

How to organize Christmas for just two people?

“Having fewer people to take care of makes things a lot simpler. You don’t need a big spread to make it feel like Christmas.

Treat yourself to a grazing board with cut ham and deli meats. Cold seafood – like cooked shrimp, smoked salmon, a pre-cooked fish perhaps – along with crusty bread and a side will always make the day special.

Simple touches like making a little glaze to drizzle over store-bought sliced ​​ham or flavoring your butter with grated orange zest, mustard and pistachio are an easy way to make the meal stand out.

If you want one main focus – a simple roast chicken with a festive bacon-sage flavored stuffing and a sticky glaze will give a festive vibe without having (too many) leftovers. Duck confit served with coleslaw makes a lovely Christmas lunch, and the more difficult elements are prepared well in advance.

Dessert is also simple; a store-bought sorbet with delicious Italian biscotti (also store-bought or homemade), berries and a drizzle of limoncello. You can also do my crème brûlée in advance and make the top at the last minute, then serve with roasted strawberries, for a very impressive Christmas-worthy dessert.

Writer

Kate Gibbs

Kate Gibbs is a Sydney-based writer, author and journalist whose work has spanned food, travel and lifestyle for over 15 years. She has written for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, delicious. review, Stellar, The Sydney Morning Herald, Travel + Leisure, Australian Food Traveler and many more. Her writing and wanderlust revolve around a relentless drive to explore and tell remarkable stories, whether tackling new ideas in global cuisine, style and travel or the best way to clean a cast iron skillet.