][1]The first advent calendar doors were opened today which means that it really is time to start dreading Christmas dinner.
The British Turkey Hotline has just opened and anyone who has a turkey-cooking query can call the real people manning the phones for advice. The number is 0800 783 9994, should you have a poultry problem.
From the list of previous questions which have been asked, the operators have heard it all before so no turkey trauma should be beyond them.
They also seem to have a sense of humour judging from some of the responses they have given callers:
Q: Can I half cook my turkey, then finish it off when I get to my mother-in-law’s house?
A: Not unless you want a divorce…. Invite her to yours or cook the turkey in her kitchen – you’ll be spared the post Christmas clean-up as well.
Q: Can you tell me how to cook my Christmas chicken.
A: No!
Obviously, one way to avoid all the stress is simply to eat out on Christmas Day. In The Times today, Edinburgh-based food writer Alex Renton writes with relish of the five course Christmas lunch which he intends to enjoy in an unnamed hotel.
‘It will be the most relaxing Christmas lunch I’ve ever been in charge of,’ he writes. ‘Because I’m not going to cook it.’
If you are in any danger of falling fowl of Christmas Dinner then you may wish to follow in Mr Renton’s footsteps and dodge the dinner by eating out.
There are dozens of 5pm member restaurants offering Christmas Day lunches and dinners. You can browse the offers available in Glasgow by clicking here and in Edinburgh by clicking here.