The festive season is all about tradition and there’s a good reason that these traditions exist – they represent continuity, they create a sense of comfort and remind us to treasure and celebrate what’s important.

Do you leave cookies for Santa with a glass of milk? (Or perhaps Santa been upgraded to a good craft beer). Do you hide coins in your Christmas pudding, sing carols, or demand a kiss under the mistletoe? All these little traditions that we repeat year on year are what make the celebration of Christmas so special. Of course, it’s no secret that food traditions play a large part in celebrating the festive season and a traditional Christmas lunch or dinner is what we all work so hard to create. Here in SA, turkey is just not something we have access to all year round, so it feels quite special; some would go as far as to say it wouldn’t feel like Christmas without a big bird as a centrepiece.

Since it’s not something we do year round, it can be daunting to roast a bird of this size but it needn’t be stressful and the results are totally worth the effort.

This Roasted Turkey with Apple and Bacon Stuffing should also be surrounded by great traditional sides – think Brussels Sprouts with Nutmeg and Brown Sugar, Bacon Wrapped Chipolatas, and of course, Duck Fat Roast Potatoes – that goes without saying! To celebrate the flavours that we love, Executive Chef Rudi Liebenberg at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel put together this traditional festive feast with all the trimmings.

A festive feast would not be complete without a cracking dessert, and if anything tastes like the season in one bite, it’s Christmas pudding. It can be a polarising flavour, but there’s no doubt it’s the flavour of steamed pud that simply makes Christmas. Executive Pastry Chef Craig Hibbert shares his recipe for Traditional Steamed Christmas Pudding with Drunk Cherries and Brandy Butter Sauce.

So this season, gather up your culinary confidence and put together a beautiful bird with traditional sides to match. End off with a simply stunning steamed Christmas pudding with homemade brandy butter sauce.