steve Reed, environmental secretary: I’m planning to barbecue a turkey this year, so I can’t tell you yet if that’s the best tip or a total disaster! Other than that, soaking your turkey in brine overnight will greatly improve its flavor.
Leeds Truss, former prime minister: Top tips for perfect baked potatoes – don’t peel them, don’t blanch them, and don’t worry about preheating the oven. Cut them into chunks, place them straight in a roasting pan topped with olive oil or goose fat, and pop them in the oven. Shake well between cooking to ensure a perfectly crispy exterior.
Wait, pizza?
non-Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive: My family is a mix of vegetarians and meat-eaters, so we started and are continuing a new tradition of homemade pizza from scratch for our Christmas meal during lockdown. There’s nothing like the smell of dough rising when you come back from a Christmas walk and put all of our favorite toppings together.
mel Stride, Shadow Prime Minister: Mine might have something to do with cocktails. My proudest possession is my cocktail cabinet! I would like to recommend a spicy negroni for Christmas. A classic Negroni, but with gin infused with star anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Darren Jones, Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Finance: My favorite cocktail is a simple Negroni. It’s equal parts gin (ideally infused with cinnamon, star anise, cloves and bay leaves in the fridge to add a festive touch to your Plymouth), Campari and sweet vermouth. Stir in ice and orange slices. But my unexpected new skill in 2024 was making mezcal cocktails. Swap the gin for mezcal for an earthier, smokier Negroni. It suits winter better than the summer original.
david Rami, Foreign Minister: Add some Guyanese pepperpots next to your Christmas turkey. When my aunt brings this, it always puts our family in a festive mood.
