The top 10 festive food and cooking shows to tuck into

Inside M&S at Christmas

Watch on ITV1 or STV, Wednesday 18th Dec 9pm

Cameras are invited behind the scenes to the goings on inside one of the UKs biggest supermarkets during their busiest time of the year! Inside M&S at Christmas will explore a new store opening, the creation of the 2024 Christmas sandwich as well as the world’s first ever snowing chocolate box!

Mary Makes Christmas

BBC One, Wednesday 18th December 8pm

The festive season can’t be done right without a sprinkle of Mary Berry! This year, she’s joined by Amanda Holden, Oti Mabuse and Nick Grimshaw as she shares some her top recipes for scrumptious gifts to give family and friends, including spicy Christmas chutney, Christmas cakes and almond snowballs! 

The Great Christmas Bake Off

Channel 4, Christmas Eve 8pm

This year’s Christmas special will see soap opera stars compete in a series of yuletide challenges under the watchful eyes of judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. With the tent decked with tinsel and full of festive cheer, we are ready to see if they should stick to their scripts or if they really have what it takes to become the 2024 Christmas Bake Off champion!

Ainsley's Festive Flavours

ITV1 or STV, Christmas Day 2pm

For this year’s festive show, English chef and TV presenter Ainsley Harriott will once again be opening up his kitchen doors this Christmas as he’s joined by Brian Conley, Rosemary Shrager, Katherine Ryan and Olly Smith for the feast of the season! From a tasty cheeseboard fig tart to Korean-inspired turkey burgers, this year’s spread is sounding very tempting!

World's Biggest Sweet Shop at Christmas

Channel 5, Boxing Day at 8pm

It’s only right that we talk about the sweet treats at Christmas and this one’s a sugar showdown! Take a peek behind the curtains of three of the world’s largest sweet stores, as they prepare for their busiest time of year. 

Jamie Cooks Christmas

Stream now on Channel 4

Mouth-watering recipes, seasonal veggies, a feast for the eyes... it’s all that and more with Jamie Oliver as he shares recipes for delicious festive dishes for the whole family. We’re talking crowd-pleasers AND all the family favourites!

Aldi vs M&S: Who Does Christmas Better?

Stream now on My5

There are only two things absolutely guaranteed at Christmas – Christmas adverts and the supermarket rush. But, with the competition more intense than ever, the food experts step in to compare premium M&S and more affordable Aldi. This is a debate that we don’t want to answer ourselves, so we’ll let them decide who reallyyyy does Christmas better...

Nigella's Amsterdam Christmas

Stream now on BBC iPlayer 

Nigella is baaacccckkkk! And this time she’s taking viewers on a Christmas trip to Amsterdam to spend the festive season in Venice of the North... Get ready to be swept away by the magic of Amsterdam as Nigella shares her love for the city, from its historic canals to its delicious treats. Picking up special ingredients and taking inspiration from both Dutch cuisine and the Indonesian influence of the city, it's a culinary adventure that leaves you wanting more.

Nigel Slater's 12 Tastes of Christmas

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

Ready to deck the halls and your taste buds? Then look no further than Nigel Slater’s top tips for a festive feast that everyone will remember. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd, or treating yourself to some holiday treats, this one’s sure to get the festivity flowing!

Fanny Cradock Cooks for Christmas

Stream now on BBC iPlayer

Now it may not be new, but this series will take you back to the fabulous 1970’s where Fanny Cradock will present some of the most traditional Christmas recipes! With unusual ways to use your mincemeat, tips for making the perfect choux pastry and the classic recipe for a Christmas pudding, Fanny will spill all her top tips to help with your Christmas meal!

Looking for more festive recommendations? Check out our Christmas special top picks!