How is it already December? It was only September a minute ago! They do say time flies when you’re having fun. I am also preparing for my first Christmas in London, breaking the annual tradition of too much indulgence in Ireland. It will also be my first Christmas as a wife, but I won’t be cooking dinner this year, mainly because I’ve invited over the entire family plus dog. Unfortunately, my humble abode is too small to host them all, so I’ll be eating my Christmas dinner at a lovely cosy pub instead. Eating and drinking will be high on the agenda for most of you this month and we can now share the very best places to eat and drink as voted by you, the readers, as we reveal the Time & Leisure Food and Drink Awards winners on page 14. Congratulations to them all! Trinity Restaurant in Clapham was named the Time & Leisure ‘Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year’ so I popped in to chat all things food (and sample their mincemeat tart, which I am still dreaming about) with its owner, Adam Byatt. The restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin star which is very exciting news for Clapham. Adam shared his Christmas recipes exclusively with us, including the mincemeat tart I mentioned, so your Christmas is about to get a lot tastier on page 10.
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then you’ll not be disappointed as we talk timeless beauty with the stylish Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company. The opulence does not stop there as we have all the tips you need to create the perfect cocktail party ambiance on page 27. If you’re looking for something sweet this Christmas, then get yourself down to the The Hive Honey Shop on Northcote Road. You can find out more about the buzz on page 9. Last, but not least, I would like to thank you for reading and wish you a very merry Christmas. And if there’s anything you want to tell me about – a place you love, local festive fun you’ve had or what you’re up to next year – get in touch at jenny.conlon@timeandleisure.co.uk, I’d love that.
Happy Christmas!
Jenny Conlon, Editor
