Dishes to wow your female friends at a Little Christmas pot-luck supper, writes DOMINI KEMP

BAKING: A zippy citrus cake full of winter sunshine to tempt the tastebuds, writes EUNICE POWER

If you would like to offer an alternative to the traditional Christmas pudding, make a crowd-pleasing sticky toffee pudding, or an elegant Charlotte Russe

HO HO HUMBUG: Cooking for family and friends at Christmas can be a minefield

Roast pheasant with cardamon and pomegranate, spiced lentils and gujarati brussels sprouts

They may be the ugly ducklings of the wine world but what’s better than a warming glass of port, a nutty sherry or a rich Madeira on these cold winter nights?

Christmas dinner presents some challenging wine matches. Here are some versatile suggestions to go with Domini Kemp’s menu, as well as the traditional turkey

Balsamic potatoes with garlic and rosemary and a rasin and sherry ice cream will lift any meal.

Wow your guests with these elegant desserts that can be prepared in advance

Having a well stocked larder and fridge means you can cope with unexpected guests, writes DOMINI KEMP

These pretty jewelled cakes are show-stoppers, writes EUNICE POWER

Passion fruit souffle, chocolate orange cremes, chocolate almond clouds, florentines, madeleines...

Turkey is traditional but goose makes a fine centrepiece for a Christmas feast

Simple to assemble crowd-pleasers, and tasty bites that look more elaborate than they are