This year, it’s time to say no to plastic Christmas trees and dress up the real deal! String or peg a few LINDOR balls to each branch and you have yourself a delicious and air-purifying festive decoration.

“My dream is for everyone in Australia to try Persian food once,” Hamed Allahyari shares with a warmth and kindness that can be felt across the room.

This easy dessert transforms the humble rice pudding into an elegant dessert that will impress your guests. They will love the saucy, comforting goodness of rice pudding with a fresh pop of orange curd. Here, hy orange curd is thickened with cornflour (not eggs and butter) which makes it super quick and easy to prepare. Simply pop your ingredients into a Crumble Dutch Oven and pour yourself a cup of tea. You can even try this recipe using your favourite fruit juice, making it all your own.

“When I sit down with my family, food just seems to taste better. It’s also one way my kids can experience the full Lebanese culture,” comedian and chef Frida Deguise shares. Enjoy Frida’s beautiful Namoura cake and bring a touch of Lebanon to your Christmas celebrations.

When I was younger, my favourite foods were anything “stuffed”. Stuffed chicken breasts, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed peppers, grape leaves, pork — you get the idea. There is something magical about cutting into food only to find something different on the inside. Enjoy this Crispy Pesto Porchetta with a little bit of something extra in the middle.

The whole family will love this beautiful Irish Bread served with Beetroot-Cured Salmon.

A basil-fuelled, herbaceous, veggie-packed take on the classic potato salad served at the table of many Australian Christmas lunches. This potato salad offers a kick from the pickled shallot and pairs perfectly with some crunchy falafels and a creamy dressing.

Nothing says an Australian Christmas like a pavlova, and when you mix it with Whipped Lindt Chocolate Ganache, you have a true-blue Aussie winner on your hands. Here is Lindt Master Chocolatier Thomas Schnetzler’s secret recipe.

“So many folks are surprised at how healthy and versatile my foodways are. I love showing the unfiltered truths of the wholesome seasonality and economic savviness of the food,” Honey Child says to Emma Dean with a smile.

If you were to eat only one cheesecake, let it be the Burnt Basque Cheesecake. “Burnt” due to its iconic, almost-scorched dark surface, this cheesecake will have you begging for more. Now, how about an Air Fryer Burnt Basque Cheesecake? Just add choc and cherries and you’ve got yourself a winning combo fit for any Christmas barbecue feast.

“Sitting down with beloveds to feast is a time of true fellowship. I find everything from the the thoughtfully set table to the relaxed and light conversation as delicious as the food served. It is the greatest human tradition to break bread with loved ones. It is also restoring and invigorating on a primal level,” shares American Creole, chef and all-round delight Honey Child.

Fluffy French toast is always a good idea. Have you ever thought to fill it with a chocolate square and a drowning of cherry or maple syrup? Hello, Christmas morning!