FESTIVE FAMILY food and fun was the flavour of the day as celebrity chef Lisa Faulkner shared her secrets with visitors at the first ever Ideal Home Show at Christmas in Manchester.
Lisa was part of a star-studded line up, including chef Gino D’Acampo and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who offered offer tips and advice at the show, sponsored by Gocompare.com, at Event City.
Also on offer at the event was everything you could need for the perfect yuletide season from eye-catching decorations to exciting toys and tasty treats from around 300 exhibitors.
Actress and chef Lisa took to the stage to present live cookery demonstrations making mince pies and biscuits, and was joined by wine expert and author Olly Smith to find the perfect accompanying drink.
Speaking exclusively to the Saddleworth Independent, Lisa explained she wanted to share her ideas with show visitors to help make Christmas a real family affair.
“Lots of children come to shows like this and it is nice to be able to show something that’s not that difficult and people can go away and do at home as a family,” she said.
“Even if you don’t often cook, just give it a go and have fun. Make the kitchen a family space that is fun and where everyone comes together and it doesn’t matter if it gets messy.
“The kitchen is the heart of the home and especially so at this time of year. It should be somewhere children go and spend time with their parents and relatives.
“When you do it yourself and you’ve finished and you can smell it cooking there is a sense of achievement.”
And Lisa, who has one daughter, revealed she is already getting ready for Christmas herself and has been making mincemeat and cakes at home.
“I started doing some Christmas cooking last week,” she said. “In our house, everyone gets involved.
“Everybody makes a wish when we’re doing the cake – I even get my dad on the phone and say ‘I’m making the cake, I’ve got the wooden spoon – make a wish!”
She added: “The show has been fantastic and there are so many wonderful things here.
“The Hamley’s stand is amazing – and so are the wraps! I’ve had them both days and they are delicious!
The first Ideal Home Show opened in 1908 in London, while the Ideal Home Show at Christmas has attracted more than 250,000 visitors since its launch in 2011.
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