Food experts have unveiled a digital solution designed to slash the stress and time spent preparing the festive feast, potentially giving Brits back two precious hours on Christmas Day.
How the Festive Calculator Works
The innovative online tool, created by specialists at online butchers Campbells Meat, generates a personalised step-by-step timing chart for the entire Christmas meal. Users simply input their chosen centrepiece meat, select their vegetables and sides, and pick their desired serving time.
The calculator covers a range of popular meats including turkey, turkey crown, chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. For accompaniments, it includes classics like roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sprouts, stuffing, pigs in blankets, and gravy.
Once the details are submitted, the tool provides a comprehensive cooking schedule. The guide suggests that after the meat has been cooking for a set period, the remaining preparation and cooking should take only about 1.5 hours.
Addressing Widespread Festive Stress
The launch follows research commissioned by Campbells Meat, which found that a significant majority of Britons – 66% – devote over two hours to cooking their Christmas dinner. The average cooking time was revealed to be 2.7 hours, meaning many hosts miss out on valuable time with family and friends.
Stevie Cheape, head chef at Campbells Meat, explained the motivation behind the tool. "Cooking for your family and friends on Christmas Day can be quite stressful, with lots of moving parts," he said. "The dedicated chef for the day can end up spending a lot of time in the kitchen and not around the tree."
The calculator aims to maximise leisure time and minimise kitchen confinement, allowing the cook to place the meat in the oven and return later to finish everything else efficiently.
Reclaiming the Christmas Celebration
This new resource offers a practical remedy for one of the holiday season's biggest anxiety triggers: orchestrating the complex Christmas dinner. By providing a clear, customised plan, it helps home cooks master various courses and their respective cooking durations without becoming overwhelmed.
The promise of saving up to two hours means more opportunity to relax on the sofa, enjoy festive entertainment, or simply celebrate with loved ones. For many households across the UK, this could transform Christmas Day from a culinary marathon into a more joyful and manageable celebration.
