Battle of the Christmas Foods: The Ultimate Festive Showdown

By Marie-Antoinette Issa.

While we will (begrudgingly) admit that the Brits occasionally have it over the Aussies in cricket rivalry, the battle is a little closer to call when it comes to comparing the best festive foods across hemispheres. Whether you’re nestled by a roaring fire for a European white Christmas or basking in the Australian Summer sun, one thing is for sure: food takes centre stage on dining tables around the world come December 25.

If you’ve ever wondered how traditional Northern Winter spreads celebrating Santa’s arrival compare to those with an Aussie Summer spin, here, a dozen dishes duke it out in the ultimate Aussie v English Christmas food showdown. With the esteemed judges at AGFG weighing up the pros and cons of each to declare a winner!

 

When it comes to the main event on the Christmas table, the choice between glazed ham and roast turkey can be divisive.

•Aussie glazed Ham is the star of many Christmas tables Down Under - with most families honing their skills (and recipes) to plate up a beautifully glazed ham with a sweet, sticky crust, often served cold with a side of tangy mustard. 

•In contrast, traditional turkey is typically synonymous with Christmas feasts in cool-climate countries. Succulent, golden-brown and often accompanied by stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, it's hearty, it’s classic, and it’s what you’ll see on tables in Europe and North America.

Verdict: Team AGFG is split on this one with many of us having both on the Christmas table. With several Brits among us in our workplace, we couldn’t decide – so why not have both?

•No Aussie Christmas is complete without a trip to the fish market to stock up on fresh seafood - a true symbol of the Southern Hemisphere Summer. Think prawns on the BBQ, prawns in a salad or prawns with cocktail sauce. It's a must-have, especially when temperatures threaten to tip to 40 C.

•Yorkshire puddings, on the other hand, are a beloved British favourite that traditionally accompanies roast dinners. Usually served hot and puffed up, laden with gravy, they’re a perfect companion for turkey or roast beef.

Verdict: While the Aussies at AGFG overwhelmingly voted in favour of prawns, there was also some nod to seafood from the Brits. However, if you are going to serve a roast for Christmas dinner, then there should definitely be Yorkshire pudding!

When it comes to the ultimate Christmas dessert showdown - pavlova vs pudding - which one takes the cake?

•With its crisp meringue shell, soft interior and fruity toppings, pavlova is the quintessential Australian (okay and Kiwi) Christmas dessert. It’s as refreshing as it is delicious, with endless topping combinations - cherries to berries, or even chocolate shards - that make it a real crowd-pleaser. 

•Rich in tradition - and suet, fruit and nuts - dense Christmas pudding is an English classic. Served with custard or brandy butter and usually involving a bit of flaming fun, it’s a natural addition to White Christmases. 

 

Verdict: This is where it gets interesting – chuck a Kiwi into the mix and you are never going to be able to go past pavlova!

•What’s an Aussie Christmas without a table laden with fresh salads? Think: crisp, cold, crunchy coleslaw made with tangy mayo; creamy potato salad and the Asian bok choy salad that Aunty Val has ripped off from the back of a packet of Chang’s Crispy Noodles and claimed as her own. These are the kinds of dishes you can prepare ahead of time, keeping you cool and stress-free as you soak up the Summer sun.

•Roast vegetables, however, are the classic choice for those in cooler climates. From potatoes and parsnips to carrots and Brussels sprouts, these hearty vegetables are perfect for accompanying a hot roast in the winter chill.

 

Verdict: Summer is synonymous with a salad as far as Aussies are concerned and so is Christmas, but there’s definitely something about a crispy roast potato that just oozes festivity!

•Fresh Summer fruit is the go-to for Aussie Christmas celebrations. Mangoes, cherries, watermelon and stone fruits - sweet, juicy and refreshing - are perfect for cooling off after a big meal. Plus, easy to slice and serve in a flash.

•In comparison, fruit cake, a heavier, denser dessert, packed with dried fruits and nuts and often soaked in alcohol, is a traditional favourite in many other parts of the world. While it’s certainly delicious, is it too rich for a Christmas afternoon?

 

Verdict: No, we have to agree every festive table needs a fruit cake – it’s just not cricket without it! However, there is no reason not to have a bowl of fresh fruit on the side!

•From the tennis to the cricket (both beachside and the matches watched on the box) icy beers are the drink of choice in Australia during the festive season. Crisp, refreshing, and perfect for hot summer days, a cold beer pairs beautifully with prawns, BBQ, and other Aussie favourites.

•Made with red wine, spices like cinnamon and cloves, and sometimes a splash of brandy, warm, spicy mulled wine provides comfort and warmth during chilly December nights.

Based on the number of bottles ‘Santa’ drinks dry when he visits my home each year, there may be nothing better than cracking open a cold one with friends while enjoying the sun.

Even the AGFG Brits agreed with this one, if you are Summering Down Under it has to be an icy brew!!