The Legacy of Lidice in Michelin - December 2024

I can't even believe that it's already December - the last month of the year, perhaps the most anticipated and, at the same time, the most hectic. Preparations are at their peak, and the whole house is cleaned and festively decorated with lights, a Christmas tree, and a mountain of presents under it. The smell of baking and cooking wafts everywhere, and we look forward not only to Christmas but also to the arrival of the new year.

This year, after almost five long years, I am also celebrating Christmas at home with my family. I admit that I miss Britain, my friends and my "British family" a lot during this period, but home is simply home.

Just like here in the Czech Republic, in the world - and especially in gastronomy - it is true that the holidays are a very busy time. Only a few businesses are closed on holidays. Even if we can't spend time with our families, we can also create a nice Christmas atmosphere with our colleagues at work.

Here, we celebrate Christmas Day on December 24th. In England, it is celebrated on December 25th. So I actually have two Christmases. And thanks to the fact that my boyfriend is from Portugal, where they also celebrate on December 25th, we both have a "backup Christmas".

Every restaurant has a tradition. We have a Christmas party on our last working day. Each of us in the kitchen has a task. Some prepare meat, and others prepare side dishes and desserts. We all eat together at the table and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

The dinner also includes a Secret Santa. About a month before Christmas, everyone draws the name of a colleague to buy a gift of a predetermined value (usually £10 - £20). Gifts tend to be funny to make it fun. At the feast, we then look for a package with our name on it and try to guess who gave it based on the originality of the gift.

Another popular tradition is Christmas crackers – paper rolls that two people grab at opposite ends and pull. The roll breaks, and a small gift, a paper crown and a note with a riddle or an anecdote fly out. The winner then wears his crown proudly, even during the service.

In the Czech Republic, Christmas is celebrated in the spirit of traditions, which include, for example, waiting for a golden pig. Most of us fast during the day to see him. In the evening, we sit down at the Christmas dinner table, where potato salad, fried carp or schnitzels are served. Some even treat themselves to fish soup, an essential part of Czech Christmas.

There is no waiting for a golden pig in England. The traditional menu is different here. Instead of carp, the British enjoy stuffed turkey or roast ham. It is served with a mixture of various roasted vegetables such as honey carrots, parsley, parsnips, cabbage and cranberry sauce. Typical accompaniments are baked potatoes, gravy (a strong meat sauce) and, above all, pigs in a blanket (small sausages wrapped in puff pastry).

Another interesting side dish is Yorkshire pudding. Despite the name, it is not a sweet dessert but a savoury side dish made from a pancake-like batter. It is baked in moulds, and fluffy, hollow "cupcakes" are created, which are often served with gravy.

What about desserts? In the Czech Republic, we have mainly bowls full of Christmas sweets - Linnaeus, vanilla rolls, cacao pracny or rum wasp's nests. In England, in addition to sticky toffee pudding, there is also trifle, a layered dessert made of sponge cake, pudding, jelly, fruit and whipped cream. Another typical Christmas treat is mince pies, which are small cakes filled with a mixture of dried fruit, nuts, spices, and alcohol. People either love or hate these cookies.

Christmas markets are an integral part of Christmas. German markets open in Birmingham every year at the end of October, attracting thousands of tourists. But when I compare them with those in the Old Town Square, I have to say that ours simply has a completely different atmosphere. It's no wonder that the Prague Christmas markets regularly rank among the best markets in the world.

I have to admit that I really miss the snow in Britain. It has snowed very little in Birmingham in the last five years, and it has always just been a light dusting. Still, it was enough to cause calamity in the city. Once we had even closed school due to "a lot of snow", I was excitedly waiting for mountains of snow - which, of course, did not come.

In the Czech Republic, snow is an integral part of Christmas. Although I understand that most drivers probably won't share this enthusiasm with me, I enjoy the white Christmas so much. Probably also because I don't drive and don't have to worry about it.

No matter how you celebrate Christmas, at home or abroad, one thing is certain - these are days full of joy, love and people you care about. Whether you spend them in the comfort of your home, on the road or even at work, these moments are unique precisely because we experience them together.

I wish you all a magical Christmas with your loved ones and only the best for the new year 2025. I will look forward to seeing you in the next article!