Great British Food Christmas 2024

Vegan Christmas A MERRY Wow your vegan guests with this sumptuous plant-based feast from BOSH! T here’s no denying that the appetite for plant-based food is well and truly growing in Britain and beyond, with BOSH! at the helmof the revolution. Spreading the delicious plant-basedword far andwide thanks to their flavour-packed recipes online and in theirmouthwatering books, BOSH! is getting people of all persuasions inspired to cookmore veg-packed dishes.Whether you followa plant-based diet, are catering for someonewho does or are just keen to eat lessmeat, there's plenty to enjoy. We caught upwith foundersHenry Firth and Ian Theasby – fresh from judging at the Great British FoodAwards 2024 – to find out whatmakes the ultimate plant-based Christmas, BOSH-style. For the BOSH! founders, a perfect, piping hot gravy is the most important part of a successful Christmas dinner. “Because it goes over everything, if you don’t get the gravy right your meal isn't going to be that great – but roast potatoes are also well worth taking your time over,” says Ian. “In all honesty, if you presentedme with a plate of amazing roast potatoes and great gravy I’d be pretty pleased with that!” Ian and Henry believe inmaking an occasion out of Christmas dinner, and whether you eat meat or not a showstopping centrepiece to add wow factor to the festive table is a must. “Our Portobello MushroomWellington is a really great thing at this time of year because it sits in the middle of the table and is not dissimilar in shape to a roasted bird. You can relish theatre of carving it and then putting slices on people's plates. It brings a little bit of magic. It's an experience.” It’s also exactly what everyone wants at this time of year – hearty and delicious, with the cosy flavours of rosemary, thyme and pecans which are synonymous with festive feasting, plus the ultimate foundation for some Christmassy decorations. “Every year we receive hundreds of photographs from families who have decorated it with leftover bits of pastry cut into snowflakes or Christmas trees,” says Henry. “It’s really heartwarming to see how creating this dish has become a family occasion since we first wrote it eight years ago.” Friends, family and colleagues – everyone is excited to celebrate together and relax – and whoever you’re cooking for, there’s plenty on the BOSH! website to inspire your menus whether you’re sticking with the traditional favourites or branching out into indulgent new recipes. “There’s nothing wrong with introducing a little bit of heat,” says Henry, “and Indian or Morroccan spices would be a delicious change of pace during the festive season.” Once the food is gently cooking in the oven, the kitchen windows are cosily steamed up and the To Do list is complete, it’s time to relax – and that’s what Christmas is really all about, says Ian. “Plumping the cushions on the sofa, getting some movies on and bedding in is what I really look forward to.” After the rush of Christmas shopping, finishing up at work and rushing through festive prep, hibernating for a few days is the name of the game. “Christmas classics like The Snowman and The Nutcracker will definitely be playing inmy house at Christmas,” he continues, “and any Disney filmprovides a great soundtrack to cooking up a warming feast.” Read on for some of BOSH's most comforting Christmas-ready dishes. 93 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com INTERVI EW | BOSH!