A Gift From Edd Kimber

Baker and best-selling author Edd Kimber knows a thing or two about sweet treats. Which is exactly why we turned to him to create the perfect letterbox gift: Edd’s Festive Bakes and Bars. We sat down with Edd for a festive chat, covering home comforts, Christmas cocktails, and traditions old and new.

How should people enjoy your Festive Bakes and Bars box?

If you’ve been lucky enough to be gifted you one of these boxes, you’ll know that they’re incredibly generous. There are eight very substantial pieces in there, so they’re great for enjoying with a group of friends – maybe over a movie night because it’s so cold. They’re perfect for a crowd. Or just enjoy them slowly over the week with your family.

What are some of your family traditions?

Christmas in my family is quite traditional; there are a lot of things we’ve been doing since we were kids. There’s always one of my mum’s trifles which is super classic. Lots and lots of sherry – no jelly, no sprinkles, just delicious raspberries, cream, and a homemade custard. It’s so delicious. There are of course new traditions: my dog is only two years old, so now I have to get the dog a present! But Christmas is a really simple time for me. It’s one of the only parts of the year that I take off, so I don’t actually do too much baking over the Christmas period. It’s a really chilled-out time.

What’s your Christmas tipple of choice?

I have a cocktail that I make at Christmas that I call ‘The Season’s Greeting’. It’s very light: made with clementine juice, Prosecco, a little bit of gin, and then there’s a rosemary syrup in there, too. It’s a kind of take on a Bucks Fizz, but a little bit boozier and more refreshing. I also love eggnog – I’m a massive eggnog man!

What food do you associate with comfort?

For me, in winter the thing that I love – the thing that makes me feel cosy and comfortable – is anything cooked slowly in a pan. I think when you have those cold days, stirring something slowly in the pan for ages is just heaven. I make a beef cheek ragu that takes hours to cook so the meat all breaks down. It’s so warming, it’s got wine in there too. It’s just everything I like to cook.

Turkey: Yay or nay?

Definitely yay. Even though it’s not something I have much at other times of the year, I think Christmas for me is so much about nostalgia. We always had it when we were growing up, and we still have it every year now. And if it’s cooked well, turkey is delicious. To me, Christmas dinner wouldn’t be the same without turkey.

Who deserves the ultimate Dishpatch Christmas?

I would nominate my mum for the ultimate Dishpatch Christmas – and my dad I guess! Because they both cook Christmas dinner together. It’s like a military operation, they know exactly what they’re doing. They have been doing it for decades, so I think it would be very nice indeed for them to just chill that evening with amazing food from Dishpatch.