It’s happened again. Somehow we’ve come to the tail end of another year, despite the August Bank Holidya feeling like it was yesterday.
The temperature has dipped, the festive lights are up and we have convinced ourselves that mince pies count as one of our five-a-day; yup, we’re steaming towards the end of the year and all the big parties that punctuate the month along the way.
Although Christmas dominates December, there’s another big event hot on its heels: New Year’s Eve.
Those of us who have a fair few NYEs under our belts, we’ve come to understand one, universal, absolute truth. The best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve is at home.
Why spend eye-watering sums on a countdown before the tedious, joy-sapping slog home when you can have your cake and eat it with a good old-fashioned knees up in your own pad? For us, it’s the best way to start the year.
We’re talking a stocked fridge, total music supremacy, and fizz that won’t require a remortgage application. Heck, you can even do it in your PJs if you want to.
And the perks of staying in or throwing a house party don’t stop there. Restaurant recipe kits - the ones we lived for in lockdown - are back for the last big bash of 2023.
New Year’s Eve boxes (aka hampers/recipe kits) allow you to sit down to a slap-up restaurant-quality meal without jostling for a reservation on December 31.
Prepped and often cooked to within moments of being completely done, there’s just enough effort involved to make you feel proud of your achievements, but crucially, not enough skill required to cock it up. Typically packed with special treats, gourmet dishes and a bottle of Champagne for good measure, these luxury recipe boxes won’t fail to usher in 2024 in style. Consider the countdown on.
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Gymkhana Fine Foods recipe kits
Can’t get a table at the celebrated Indian restaurant Gymkhana? No matter - this year the feast can come to you. The two companies have partnered up to offer Gymkhana marinades and recipe kits through DukesHill with tremendous restaurant-worthy results.
We tried the Tandoori Marinade (£7.50) on chicken cooked in the air fryer and were blown away by the juiciness and depth of flavour while the Tandoori Lamb Chop Meal Kit (£26.55) also delivered equally finger-lickin' results.
Buy now, DukesHill
M&S Collection Dragon Roll Sushi Platter
For a no-cook option that’s lavish on luxe, look no further than Marks & Sparks. The high street favourite has a selection of fuss-free feasts that are perfect if you’re throwing a party, like this Dragon Roll Sushi Platter that would work as canapes for a small party.
Buy now £20.00, M&S
Wright Bros Ltd Luxury Seafood Box
It's a case of seafood, eat food over at luxury fishmongers Wright Bros. who has this utterly decadent feast ready and waiting to end 2023 on a high. The bundle has it all, from sweet scallops, king prawns, oysters and a cooked lobster. There's even a 20g tin of Baeri caviar. Just add a bottle of Champs and you're set.
Buy now £120.00, Wright Bros Ltd
Wyndford Wagyu
Steak is an easy option for a NYE dinner, but to take it to the next level, put an order in from Shropshire-based Wyndford Wagyu. The farm is home to a full-blood wagyu herd and offers all the top cuts: think fillet, rib-eye, sirloin, bavette, flat iron and more.
If you're worried about cooking such a revered piece of meat - you really needn't be. They practically cook themselves, with larger cuts needing nothing more than a quick sear and a short stint in in the oven.
The result? The juiciest, tastiest beef you won't believe has come out of your kitchen. Order now and congratulate yourself well into the New Year.
Prices from £10.50.
Buy now, Wyndford Wagyu
Dishpatch x El Pastor Mexican Taco Extravaganza
Two hungry diners can welcome in the New Year with a fiesta worthy of Mexico City thanks to El Pastor. The legendary taqueria restaurant has whipped up a five course recipe box - including slow-braised short rib tacos - to create a flavour parade that'll carry you into 2024 in suitable style. Deliveries will be made on December 30 and will keep in the fridge until they're ready for plating up.
Buy now £90.00, Dishpatch
Panzer’s Ultimate Breakfast Box for two
High-end deli Panzer’s has whipped up a delicious breakfast box that’s ideal for your first, or last, breakfast of the year. We can personally attest to the quality of the smoked salmon, which feels silken on the tongue. A 15g pot of caviar, some caramel truffles and champagne elevate the rest of the box, making this an extra special treat.
Buy now £120.00, Panzer's
Dishoom Bacon Naan Roll Kit
There are plenty of old wives’ tales about curing a hangover, but for a sure-fire win, put in an order for Dishoom’s Bacon Naan Roll Kit.
We can guarantee that the delicious breakfast dish is the finest way to begin 2024 and there’s even a vegan sausage version available too (£22.50) so there’s something for everyone. With instructions simple enough to follow even through the foggy hell of a hangover, pre-ordering one of these kits is the best act of self-love to give yourself the morning after the night before.
The kit comes with enough dough for three naans, plus bacon, spiced tomato chutney and ingredients to make steaming hot cups of masala chai.
Buy now £20.00, Dishoom
Stein’s at Home
Cornwall’s hungriest son Rick Stein has an array of at dining in kits on his website, from lobster thermidor and fresh catch like hake, to Indonesian curries for those who can handle the heat. Each one serves two diners and you can choose one, two or three-course menus; useful flexibility if you’ve ordered a special occasion cake for afters.
As well as a simple cooking guide, each box comes with plating instructions so your food will look as good as it would in a restaurant. The company has partnered with the One Feeds Two initiative that provides a school meal to a child living in poverty for every kit purchased.
Drops are made every Friday and Saturday across the UK, making this a winning option for weekend dining. Prices from £59.
Buy now £49.95, Stein’s at Home
