Dublin-born, London-based chef Anna Haugh is reimagining the traditional Irish Christmas feast for 2025. The acclaimed chef and restaurateur has curated a collection of five accessible recipes designed to bring warmth, flavour, and a touch of modern flair to the festive table, moving beyond the expected staples.
A Contemporary Take on Irish Festive Flavours
Anna Haugh, celebrated for her work at London's Myrtle restaurant and as a judge on Great British Menu, draws deeply on her Irish heritage. Her festive menu, published in December 2025, is a conscious move away from what she describes as the "pressure" of a sprawling, traditional spread. Instead, she focuses on achievable, flavour-packed dishes that honour Irish ingredients and culinary spirit.
The selection includes a starter of creamy Swede Soup with crispy bacon, offering a comforting and simple beginning. For a standout canapé, she proposes Blue Cheese Bites with honey and walnuts, a sophisticated yet easy-to-assemble option that delivers a powerful punch of flavour.
Centrepiece Innovations and Lighter Sides
The main event receives a significant upgrade with Haugh's show-stopping Turkey Wellington. This recipe encases seasoned turkey breast and a mushroom duxelle in crisp, golden puff pastry, providing a visually impressive and delicious alternative to a whole roasted bird. It's designed to be less fraught and more reliably succulent.
Accompanying the centrepiece, Haugh suggests a vibrant Hispi Cabbage Slaw with apple and caraway. This side dish introduces a fresh, crunchy, and slightly aniseedy element to cut through the richness of the main courses, showcasing how humble cabbage can be elevated.
A Grand Finale with a Chocolate Yule Log
No Christmas meal is complete without a decadent dessert, and Haugh delivers with a classic Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël). Her version is a rich, indulgent sponge rolled with cream and coated in a glossy chocolate ganache, finished with festive decorations. It’s a timeless crowd-pleaser that provides a sweet and satisfying conclusion to the feast.
Through these five recipes, Anna Haugh demonstrates that a memorable Irish-inspired Christmas doesn't require culinary stress or rigid tradition. Her approach champions quality ingredients, balanced flavours, and manageable cooking processes, allowing home cooks to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the celebrations with loved ones.
