The holiday season is here, and there’s no better time to bring out the very best for your gathering. Whether you’re planning an indulgent lunch or show-stopping dinner with friends and family, the Christmas collection from Jarvis Fishmonger offers everything you need to create a menu that really shines. From exquisite seafood to artisan cheeses and breads, it’s all about celebrating good food, great company and festive flavour.
Start with Something Special
Begin your feast with dishes that feel a little luxurious (because Christmas only comes once a year).
- Consider selecting whole native lobsters – they bring drama and flavour to the table. The collection lists “Whole Native Lobsters” as part of the Christmas line-up.
- Alternatively, you can go for something a little more modest yet still impressive: like hand-picked white crab meat or dressed Cornish crab, both of which appear in the collection as elegant starters.
- Don’t forget a beautifully smoked fish: the “Home Smoked Salmon” is listed too.
These dishes set the tone — they hint that this meal is something special, not just any dinner.
The Cheese Board and Accompaniments
After a lavish seafood start (or perhaps in between courses), a cheese board is always a winner. The Christmas collection includes plenty to build a standout board:
- Cheeses such as Cornish Yarg and Ticklemore Goat’s Cheese are on display in the collection.
- You’ll also find bakery items like white or wholemeal sourdough loaves, or focaccia (cherry tomato & garlic or rosemary), which are perfect for sharing and pairing with your cheeses.
- Add condiments and sauces too (e.g., dill mustard sauce, garlic mayonnaise) to elevate the experience.
Such a board works brilliantly as a relaxed opener to your meal — letting guests graze while you finish final touches on the main course.
Main Course Heroes & Sides
When it comes to the main event, mixing the show-stopper with the manageable is key.
With Jarvis’s Christmas collection, you’re well-covered.
- Imagine a centrepiece of lobster or dressed crab, accompanied by lighter sides (so you don’t feel too heavy early in the meal).
- Or, for a slightly simpler main, smoked salmon or gravadlax (also listed in the collection) make for elegant mains paired with simple salads or roasted vegetables.
- The idea is to keep the sides fresh and bright – bread, crisp greens, seasonal veg – so that the high-quality seafood really shines.
- And because preparation time matters, many of the seafood options in the collection are ready or nearly ready to serve, making your hosting easier.
Putting it All Together & Why It Works
What makes this collection ideal for the festive season?
Let’s sum up:
- Quality & luxury: The items are premium (smoked salmon, native lobster, artisan cheeses) so your Christmas table looks and tastes elevated.
- Ease of hosting: Many dishes are ready to go or close to it — less time chopping, prepping, stressing.
- More time with your guests. Flexibility: You can mix and match starters, mains, cheeses, breads and condiments to suit your budget, guest list and style of meal (sit-down dinner vs relaxed lunch).
- Festive appeal: Seafood and cheese feel celebratory and slightly indulgent — fitting for the occasion of Christmas when you want something a little out of the ordinary.
- Wonderful pairings: Smoked salmon with sourdough, crab with dill mayonnaise, cheeses with focaccia and condiments — all delicious combinations.
Quick Tips for Your Shopping & Meal-Plan
- Order early: Christmas collections sell out fast.
- Check delivery & storage: Seafood needs the right handling — make sure you’ve got cold space and timing sorted.
- Plan your courses: E.g., start with a seafood platter, cheese board in the middle, main of lobster/ crab/ gravadlax, dessert of your choice.
- Keep sides simple: Let the marquee items do the heavy lifting.
- Label things if helping yourself buffet-style: Let guests appreciate how special each item is.
- Don’t forget bread & condiments: These little extras make a big difference in giving your table a complete feel.