Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Compiled by Holly O’Neill

Christmas party food and drink – tested by Jessie and Lennie Ware

Jessie and Lennie Ware
Jessie and Lennie Ware.
Styling: Hope Lawrie. Hair: Patrick Wilson at The Wall Group. Makeup: Francesca Brazzo at The Wall Group using Charlotte Tilbury Beauty. Jessie wears Roland Mouret, matchesfashion; earrings, Completed Works. Lennie wears her own dress; earrings, Aalighieri
Photograph: Perou/The Observer

M&S Collection Middle Eastern flatbreads

£7.50 for 10, Marks & Spencer

Jessie I don’t know about this. It’s a fancy chicken doner on pizza bread. I don’t think I’d start the night off with this, but I’d probably finish with it. Doesn’t feel festive.
★★

Asda Extra Special camembert and cranberry savoury profiteroles

£5.50, 110g, asda.com

J There’s a sad white sauce inside. But I always like a profiterole.
Lennie I do like this one. Jessie, are you eating all of them?
J ★★
L ★★★★

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference cheddar and truffle ciabatta crostini

£5.25 for 8, sainsburys.co.uk

J You can’t go wrong with cheese on toast. I like it.
L Me too. Nice cheese, but it needs more truffle.
★★★

Waitrose smoked salmon eclairs

£7, 130g, waitrose.com

J Nope. A fish mousse eclair. No thank you, I’m OK.
L There’s gold on top. It’s beautiful.
J When do you need to have gold with fish?
L It’s Christmas!
J
L ★★

Party food

Waitrose feta popcorn with hot honey

£5, 200g, waitrose.com

J It looks like a chicken nugget but it is a cheese croquette. The honey sauce is too citrussy or something. I think the honey is letting it down.
★★

BEST BUY

Tesco Finest fish and pea rosti baskets

£4.50, 240g, tesco.com

J It’s fish and chips. Delicious. It’s like a latke at the bottom. They’ve even put vinegar in it; thoughtful. I think it’s a bit genius.
L It is big for a canape…
J Exactly!
★★★★★

Waitrose shimmering salmon mousse

£7, 300g, waitrose.com

J It looks like crafts that I’d do with my daughter – mermaid phase. I don’t think anyone would want it at a party, that metallic gold.
L It’s actually quite nice. I’d have it.
★★★★

Party food

Booths Lancashire cheese and plum chutney parcels

£7.50 for 12, booths.co.uk

J Is this cheese and onion relish in pastry? I’m into it.
L I’m not a mean person but I don’t like that.
J I really do.
J ★★★★
L ★★

Co-op Irresistible turkey tikka masala crisps

£1.75, 150g, coop.co.uk

J I like any crisp. That’s really yummy. Oh, I really like them. Pack a punch. Generous on flavour. I’m going back for more.
L No. Don’t like those.
J ★★★★
L ★★

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference duck and spiced plum hand cooked potato crisps

£1.50, 150g, sainsburys.co.uk

J Oh, that’s duck and hoisin sauce! It tastes spiced. It tastes yummy. That’s like a sexy prawn cocktail.
★★★★

Tesco sweet speculoos popcorn

£1.65, 200g, tesco.com

J That’s just popcorn. What’s it meant to be? Speculoos? They’re reaching with that. But it’s good.
L I really like that. I think that’s really nice.
★★★★

Party3

Marks & Spencer Marks & Sparkle rosé fizz

£10, 750ml, Marks & Spencer

L I’d give this five.
J Because you’re an old drunk.
L Probably. It’s lovely.
J I don’t like prosecco but I like that.
★★★★★

Aldi Infusionist blackberry gold flake gin liqueur

£13.99, 50cl, aldi.co.uk

L Oh look, it’s so pretty in the bottle. Does the flavour taste a bit synthetic? Not like homemade. If you like gin, and lots of people do, it would make a lovely gift.
★★★★

Marks & Spencer tiramisu Irish cream liqueur

£12, 50cl, Marks & Spencer

J Cream liqueur is my thing. I’m an expert in Baileys. Oh my God, this is so nice! Is it coffee or chocolate? It’s absolutely delicious.
★★★★★

Season 16 of Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware is available now. All items blind-tested

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.