To find out the scientific secrets behind cooking the perfect turkey, we carried out the ultimate temperature experiment. Here we’ve summarised our findings on the resting front, but you can read the experiment blog to learn more about the full process. Read on to find out how long to rest a turkey for the best results.

Christmas dinner is, for many, the most important meal of the year. But cooking a whole turkey is no mean feat — it’s difficult to ensure such a large and lean meat is safely cooked and juicy all the way through. Especially when packet instructions and recipe timings commonly overestimate how long it takes for meat to reach a safe temperature, resulting in an overcooked centrepiece.

Described by John Torode as a ‘meat maestro’, MasterChef 2021 runner-up Mike Tomkins is a pro at making the traditional turkey feast one to remember. Follow his top 11 Christmas dinner tips to make yours a succulent and stress-free experience.

Kitchen thermometers make great gifts for cooking lovers. They'll be able to make delicious creations with less stress and they'll get loads of use out of it. Plus, a high-quality thermometer will last them for years to come. Read on for our roundup of cooking Christmas gifts. 

Cooking a turkey can send fear rippling through the hearts of even the best home cooks. Will it defrost in time? Do I brine it? What even is brining? Is it cooked? Why is it dry? How do I rest it? Can I reheat it? We've all asked ourselves these questions.

Cheese fondue makes a fabulous meal for sharing, especially over Christmas. We used three different kinds of cheese in this cheese fondue recipe. We also added some brandy and nutmeg to create an irresistible flavour that guests will love.

This simple salmon en croute with spinach is the perfect centrepiece for fish lovers. Mike Tomkins kept this salmon en croute recipe classic but high quality and full of flavour. Cooking it to temperature with Thermapen is the easiest way to know when your salmon is safely cooked but perfectly soft inside.

Panettone now makes a regular appearance on British Christmas tables. This light, vanilla–flavoured Italian cake tastes great with a simple cup of coffee, but even better transformed into this delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding. This recipe is a doddle to make and will particularly appeal to people who aren’t fans of the traditional and rich Christmas pud.

This is a simple Lobster Thermidor with added crunch. I’d serve it for supper on Christmas Eve with some crusty bread, a cool glass of white wine and a big salad. This is perfect for getting everyone in the festive mood without feeling stuffed before the big day...

Today we are proud to have a wonderful guest blog from Orlando Murrin, chef, author, BBC Good Food editor (1998 to 2004) and hotelier. Orlando shares with us his tips for a stress free Christmas – including everything from Getting Ahead, Organising the Big Day and Cooking the Turkey...

Just as you would set the oven to the correct temperature, so it’s necessary to do the same when roasting on your grill. Using a fuel that you’re familiar with it’s important to part the coals (or gas burners) and leave a gap in the centre of the BBQ. With the cooking grate in-place you’re now ready to place the bird in the roasting zone, close the lid, and start cooking...

At Christmas time we all tend to overindulge, and this glazed gammon joint is worth the indulgence. This would make a great alternative to Turkey or even a wonderful dish served cold at a buffet on Boxing Day. Of course when cooking any meat we recommend using our Thermapen to ensure it is not under or over cooked. A joint of gammon should reach 71°C, ensuring it is perfectly cooked throughout...