These simple, much-loved words bring peace to your heart and mind. They instantly say ‘Christmas’ and this year they also offer a glimpse of an ideal Christmas celebration feast. The cook is calm, the guests and the food are bright. In fact, because everything is organised, the cook can sleep in heavenly peace on Christmas Eve.Christmas celebrations have changed so much from yesteryear’s good old traditional roasted meat at midday and the Queen’s Speech at 6pm. For Ruth’s most popular class of the year, her thinking has shifted away from the more usual 3-4 courses one after the other, towards "a festive feast with platters groaning with tasty food”. The idea is that your guests, who probably include friends, family and extended families these days, have the chance to select from a range of delights on offer. Different food interests are readily catered for. Maybe the feast will extend for longer as everyone takes a more relaxed style to sharing food and conversation. Maybe there will be some interaction as guests help with some of the cooking? Ruth’s inspiration is the ‘spice of life’. She is thinking of colourful platters, redolent with spices. Not fiery-hot chillies but the more gentle classical spices that add flavour not heat, and are part of many traditional Christmas dishes, like nutmeg and cinnamon. Oranges studded with cloves and something divinely decadent for dessert. Because you deserve it.10.00am - 4.00pm, arrive from 9.30am for coffee