What will Christmas be like for you this year?
Christmas will be a slightly smaller affair for us as sadly my father passed away last year, and he always joined us for Christmas dinner. So I will be thinking of him and really missing him.
We always celebrate here at Ballyknocken House, which really lends itself to the Christmas spirit. There will be decorations galore, log fires burning and the enticing aroma of all those wonderful Christmas flavours emanating from the kitchen.
I also enjoy the ceremony of opening up presents together, which we always do after lunch. For me, it’s the thought that counts and I’m always so impressed with the thought that my two children put into the gifts each year (I hope they see this!).
Overall, Christmas is a time when we hunker down and spend quality time together. Like everybody, our lives are busy throughout the year, and this is the one time for peace and quiet and relaxation, without feeling guilty. I intend to continue in this vein for the year ahead, although there will definitely be celebrations after all we have been through.
Will you be doing the cooking?
For sure I will be doing the cooking – I always joke that I don’t trust anybody else to do it. But it’s such an important time of the year and I adore cooking Christmas dinner. For me it’s a particularly nostalgic experience. Although every year I add something new to the menu or twist a few recipes, but we still enjoy all the core dishes; turkey and ham, cranberry sauce stuffing, pudding and mince pies – it wouldn’t be Christmas without them.
Hopes for 2022?
“I feel blessed that we’re all still strong, healthy and happy. That’s all that really matters. I’m also grateful for all of the wonderful support our business has received from the public since we were able to reopen and I’m hoping that will continue right through 2022.”
