17 December 2025, Johannesburg: This December, BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174, is bringing South African viewers the ultimate festive helping hand with Jamie’s Cook-Ahead Christmas, a brand-new two-part special from one of the world’s most trusted chefs. As the holiday season approaches and kitchens get busier, Jamie Oliver returns with practical ideas, easy prep-ahead dishes and simple strategies designed to take the pressure off Christmas Day.
Filmed with his signature charm and warmth, Jamie’s Cook-Ahead Christmas is all about giving families more time to relax, celebrate and enjoy the moment without sacrificing flavour or tradition. The series dives into clever recipes you can make ahead of time, ranging from perfectly roasted meats and flavour-packed sides to stress-free gravies, festive butters and desserts that can be prepared before the rush of the big day. Catch both episodes on the 18th and 19th of December at 19:00
A sneak peek at one of the incredible dishes from the show:
Your Freezer-Friendly Holiday Menu
Jamie begins by showing viewers how to stock up on festive staples long before Christmas Eve. He whips up a versatile vegan-and-gluten-free gravy base, perfect for every guest at the table; a flexible stuffing that can be made as vegetarian or meaty; and a set of make-ahead flavoured butters including a bright parsley, watercress and horseradish butter for greens, and a Prosecco, orange and cumin butter for carrots.
He also creates a show-stopping potato and fennel al forno, which can be frozen as a ready-to-bake side or transformed into an impressive vegetarian centrepiece wrapped in walnut pastry. To finish, Jamie prepares a festive homemade ice cream that becomes a nostalgic Arctic Roll, perfect for keeping stocked in the freezer until dessert time.
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