With something for everyone, buffets make the ideal feast for Christmas parties, Boxing Day or Twixtmas. Below, you'll find ideas for a mouth-wateringly memorable festive spread.
Christmas centrepieces
Gorgeous gammon, shimmering salmon mousse, a flavoursome festive wellington…these sumptuous serve-yourself centrepieces will be the stars of the show on any buffet table. The moreish mains below are all from our convenient Food Made To Order service, where you’ll find a delicious range of prepared food – perfect if you’re short on time or want to take the stress out of entertaining.
Shimmering Salmon Mousse
Treat your guests to something really special this Christmas – tender Scottish smoked and poached salmon mousse with a shimmering bronze lustre finish.Serves 8.
We recommend serving this showstopping sharing mousse with bread (see our suggestions below) and whipping up a simple dill and lemon butter.
- Toasted fingers of Waitrose No.1 Rye and Wheat Dark Sourdough Bread
- Waitrose No.1 Rosemary Sourdough Crackers
- Warm slices of Essential Waitrose Bake at Home Brown Baguettes
- Warm fingers of Rosemary & Rock Salt Focaccia
You could also serve alongside easy-to-make side dishes, like pickled cucumber or red onion, chicory and chive salad with lemon and olive oil dressing, or shredded Waitrose Baby Beetroot with horseradish mixed with soured cream and salad onions.
Honey-cured British Gammon with Plum & Ginger Glaze
Pour the sweetly spiced, aromatic plum and ginger glaze over the juicy gammon while it cooks for a lovely shine and incredible flavour. Serves 7.
Pork, Turkey & Cranberry Pie
Serve up seasoned cured pork layered with succulent turkey and encased in a rich, hot water crust pastry. Topped with tangy sweetened cranberries and cranberry jelly – yum! Serves 12.
Easy Carve Duck with Plum & Chestnut
This plump and succulent part-deboned whole British duck comes with a pork, plum and chestnut stuffing, and cooks in a foil tray for convenience. Great for gluten-free guests. Serves 6.
PlantLiving Ultimate Festive Sharing Wellington
Moreish mushroom duxelle meets plant-based ‘beef’ braised in a shallot, garlic and thyme vegetable stock. Ready to slice and share, with a holly decoration adding a jolly touch. Serves 4.
No.1 30-day Dry Aged British Beef Rump Joint
The flavour, tenderness and succulence of the beef develops during the traditional dry ageing process, making it a fabulous addition to any festive buffet. Serves 10-12.
Salmon en Croute with Champagne & Herb Sauce
Irresistibly indulgent – lightly smoked salmon pieces with a layer of baby leaf spinach are topped with a Champagne and herb sauce and wrapped in buttery puff pastry. Serves 8.
Christmas party food
Wow your guests with a lavish spread of bite-sized nibbles. Crispy king prawn lollipops, smoked salmon éclairs and a snowflake-shaped sausage roll wreath – ‘tis the season to feast on fabulously festive finger food.
King Prawn Crispy Lollipops
Bring the fun to festive gatherings with this 10-pack of juicy king prawn lollipops in an irresistibly crisp rice coating.
Red Fox Welsh Rarebit
An indulgent creamy vintage Red Fox bake with a splash of ale and a hint of mustard. Simply heat in the oven and get ready for some serious dipping – we recommend chunks of crusty bread or sourdough. Serves 4.
Smoked Salmon Éclairs
Tuck into a 10-pack of mini choux pastry éclairs filled with smoked and poached salmon, crème fraîche, soft cheese, single cream and butter. Finished with a soft cheese topping and bronze lustre.
Feta Popcorn with Hot Honey
These bite-sized balls with feta, soft cheese and goat’s curd are coated with a quinoa-flecked crumb and come in a 10-pack with a hot honey dip.
Pork & Chorizo Whirls
Big, bold flavour in every bite – this 8-pack of savoury pork sausage meat whirled with spicy chorizo is the perfect party snack for meat lovers and gluten-free guests.
Paneer Fries
The ultimate dippable party snack. This 8-pack of paneer and grilling cheese sticks comes with spiced mango chutney and crispy onion dips.
Sticky Beef Teriyaki Skewers
Bring these 12 juicy beef and spring onion meatballs with a rich and sticky teriyaki glaze to the buffet for a pop of ultimate umami flavour. Great for gluten-free guests.
Brie & Cranberry Tartlets
Bright, tangy cranberry joins creamy, melting Brie and extra mature Cheddar cheeses in these 12 flaky puff pastry tartlets. Quite possibly the perfect canapé.
Festive Sausage Roll Snowflake
Seasoned outdoor bred British pork, turkey and cranberries wrapped in snowflake-shaped buttery pastry – enjoy a festive spin on a classic snack that serves 12.
Christmas desserts
No matter how much party food your guests pile their plates with, there's always room for something sweet. Lay out (large) spoons for the likes of panettone, crumbly mince pies and our shimmering showstopper: the Golden Bûche de Noël.
No.1 The Golden Bûche de Noël
Belgian blonde chocolate mousse, silky salted caramel and caramelised biscuit sauce on a milk chocolate base speckled with crunchy caramelised biscuit. Utterly delicious, and serves 12.
Crumble Top Mince Pies with Cranberry & Orange
These all-butter mince pies are topped with tasty crumble and filled with zesty mincemeat with a dash of Valencian orange oil and tangy cranberry. Each pack has four pies.
Florentine-inspired Panettone
Speckled with sultanas, cherries and Sicilian orange peel and finished with dark chocolate, cherries, orange peel, almonds and Nocciola Piemonte IGP hazelnuts. Serves 8.
No.1 Tiramisu Torte
Layers of creamy vanilla mousse, coffee and chocolate ganache, and sponge cake soaked in coffee and Marsala – all on a crunchy coffee and milk chocolate base. Serves 10.
Chocolate & Hazelnut Quenelle
Ooo…rich hazelnut mousse with a silky milk chocolate sauce hiding inside, on a crisp chocolate base speckled with crunchy feuilletine and cookie crumbs. Serves 10.
Christmas leftovers recipes
Transform Christmas Day leftovers into a delicious Boxing Day or Twixtmas buffet feast.
Leftover turkey recipes
Discover crowd-pleasing dishes, from turkey curry to turkey & sprout pot pie.
Leftover cheese recipes
Dig into Brie & caramelised leek tart, loaded potato skins and plenty more.
Leftover dessert recipes
Christmas pudding doughnuts or Christmas pudding brownies? That is the question.
Christmas drinks
The food’s sorted – now it’s time to fill the fridge with fizz, make plans for homemade punch or stock up on mulled wine to simmer on the hob.
Shop drinks with your groceries
Add wine, fizz, beer, spirits and pre-made Tails co*cktails to your food order.
Shop at Waitrose Cellar
Discover our full range of wines, all handpicked by our experts.
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Christmas co*cktail recipes
Get creative and shake up wintery co*cktails and mocktails.
