How To Crack Christmas Like A Top Chef

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Chefs rarely get Christmas off - if they are not cooking for customers, they are slaving over a hot stove for family.

BBC News NI has spoken to three established names who are in that latter category.

Gemma Austin is 31 and has her own restaurant, A Peculiar Tea, in Belfast. The Carryduff native has competed in BBC Two's Great British Menu twice.

After years of working over Christmas, she can now call the shots and is off for several days.

But she will be in the kitchen on Christmas Eve to prepare dinner for her "turkey and ham people".

"My mum used to do the cooking but with having the restaurant, we prep everything here. There's nothing to do other than reheat stuff on Christmas Day.

"Reheating works because the longer something sits, the longer it has to develop flavour. A wee bit of butter on your turkey and ham before reheating in the microwave means they won't dry out."

– One of the nicest ways you can cook vegetables is in a microwave – Cook as much as you can at once – Only put the oven on for as long as you need it – Buy a bag of vegetables, not prepped ones – Go to the butchers and get a portion of turkey, ham and stuffing per person

Fajitas - use the scraps in a wrap. Just add mushrooms, onions and peppers.

"Buy if you can from local people and don't buy too much. Whatever food you can afford, buy that. Don't stress because all that matters is that the right people are there."

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How To Crack Christmas Like A Top Chef

Chefs rarely get Christmas off - if they are not cooking for customers, they are slaving over a hot stove for family.