The lights are up, the smell of pine and mulled wine are in the air and the yuletide excitement can truly begin. Yes, Advent is here and I can now get properly excited about Christmas! Every year I spend a month and a half avoiding mince pies and Christmas adverts but come December 1^st, I’m allowed to wear my Christmas jumpers with pride and think about where the decorations are going.

Not long after we first got together, Alan and I went to Stockholm for a long weekend at the beginning of December. It was the most magical time. The old town appeared to be made of gingerbread and everything we touched and tasted seemed to be sent directly from Lapland. We loved it so much that we promised ourselves that we’d always try to get away for a break. Then I got myself a job on a rather fantastic food and wine based TV programme. As much as I loved it, I was always so busy with Christmas prep that we never got to go away before Christmas again.

Luckily this never dampened our love of the festive build up to Christmas Day. In the back of our minds we always said that one day we would do again. So when I decided to hang up my apron after 7 years producing the culinary feast that is Saturday Kitchen, we decided that our first treat to ourselves would be to have another pre Christmas adventure.

Our chosen destination this time round is the city that does Christmas arguably better than most: New York City. So get your ice rinks ready, decorate your trees and let me overdose on all Christmas treats you have to share! NYC here we come!