When one of the world's most celebrated chefs opens up about his Christmas traditions, food lovers everywhere take notice. Yotam Ottolenghi, the London-based culinary superstar known for his vibrant Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine, has revealed his surprisingly traditional approach to the festive season despite his Jewish heritage and Israeli background.
A Chef's Christmas Philosophy
In an exclusive Zoom interview, Ottolenghi explained that while he doesn't feel bound by the same symbolic food traditions that characterize Jewish holidays, he finds comfort in Christmas predictability. "I never feel the need to reinvent the Christmas meal," the chef revealed, having just finished developing this year's Christmas recipes in his test kitchen.
Ottolenghi draws a clear distinction between holidays that require specific symbolic foods and Christmas, where tradition takes precedence over symbolism. "Christmas is a bit different because the food doesn't have a symbolic meaning," he noted, adding that "there's something to be said for getting together around a kind of predictable meal."
The Ottolenghi Christmas Menu
So what does Christmas actually look like in the Ottolenghi household? The chef embraces classic elements while adding his signature creative touches. The centrepiece typically features either turkey or goose, accompanied by what he describes as "a couple of condiments" - always including something with chilli because he needs that characteristic heat.
Roast potatoes make an appearance, but true to form, Ottolenghi elevates them with spices, herbs, dipping sauces, or what he calls "some kind of nutty element." During his recent Christmas recipe shoot, he prepared simple roasted crispy cabbage halves finished with a pine nut vinaigrette and fresh basil.
"For me, that is Christmassy because at Christmas you want that kind of side of greens," Ottolenghi explained. "I like roast vegetables so the cabbage is roasted, but the vinaigrette gives it that kind of lightness. I tried to go wintry, Christmassy, traditional, but not as heavy. I like to keep things light, happy and spicy."
Australian Tour Announcement
The Christmas revelations come less than two months before Ottolenghi's highly anticipated return to Australian shores. The internationally acclaimed chef will embark on his An Evening With Yotam Ottolenghi tour in February 2026, marking his first visit to the country in several years.
The tour, celebrating his latest cookbook Ottolenghi Comfort, will feature live cooking demonstrations and audience question sessions focused on creating elevated comfort food. The extensive itinerary includes shows in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Bendigo, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle from February 10.
Tickets and complete date information are available through fane.com.au, giving Australian food enthusiasts the opportunity to experience Ottolenghi's culinary wisdom firsthand. The chef's new book, Ottolenghi Comfort, co-authored with Helen Goh, Verena Lochmuller and Tara Wigley, is published by Ebury Press and retails for $65.
For those inspired by Ottolenghi's Christmas cooking philosophy, the message is clear: honour tradition but don't be afraid to add your own personal touch - whether it's a spicy condiment, an herbed roast potato, or a vibrant pine nut vinaigrette to brighten up those winter greens.
