I love Christmas time, but it creeps up on me from nowhere, and suddenly the children are at home for the holidays, the presents have not been bought and if I’m lucky I’ve somehow managed to get the last available food delivery about a week before Christmas…

The prospect of Christmas feels, at times, a little overwhelming and I sometimes begrudge everyone else’s enjoyment of the festivities as I whip up yet another meal in the kitchen rather than joining in (don’t get me wrong, this can have its advantages too!).

So I put it to our closed Facebook group to see if they could come up with a recommendation for a helping hand this Christmas and suggest somebody (not Cook!) who could fill my freezer with some delicious extra meals for extended family, unexpected visitors or simply when I had lost the will to spend any more time cooking and would rather just heat something in the oven.

The response was fantastic (thank you) and here are the recommendations of some local caterers who are more than happy to help this Christmas (and all year round!)!

Rhona Everard at Thyme, Newbury

thymehomecook@gmail.com – 07796946664 – Thyme

Annabelle Maclay in Micheldever

annabellemaclay@yahoo.co.uk – 07802755132 – canapes examples

Charmian Dadley Parties & Events, Salisbury

www.cordonbleucook.com – 07903462600

Please do let us know if you would recommend anyone else and we can add them to this list.