The pleasure of a well-produced book, well-edited and with fine photos is still something to savour, to read for inspiration and to sometimes simply marvel at. 

Do you love someone who loves wine? Alan chooses his top Christmas present ideas for enthusiasts of the grape by looking to three great British institutions of wine.

Beena takes time out to sample the Dorset Autumn Food Fortnight and try a Dorset Knob. Which is not as shocking as it sounds

Alan picks four good value Spanish wines for Christmas which combine tradition and modernity.

One of our favourite online meat merchants, Donald Russell have created the ultimate lazy person’s way to a Xmas feast. dinner in a box delivered to your door

This Christmas, Carluccio’s have hand-picked a selection of gifts, created by Italian producers they know and love.

ROKA Aldwych has introduced a new type of hour to town. Forget happy hour, this is Kabuki Hour – a time to experience classic Japanese drama and theatre, which ROKA has taken as its inspiration.

With the vibrant fruit of the Tempranillo grape and the mysterious, smokey seduction of long barrel ageing, the red wines of Rioja are eminently suitable for seasonal dining. Alan picks three high-class contenders for the Christmas table.

Don’t look at just wine pairings this December; consider something different to drink with your salmon, your turkey and your Christmas pudding. Here are some great festive food and ale matches, along with a recipe for a delicious beer gravy.

Well that’s what Lara thinks, she’s smitten by the dough