M&S expert's favourite festive products for 2026

M&S Food Director of Product Development, Kathryn Turner, shares her must-try picks from our festive food range, from big-day essentials to party-ready picky bits and drinks.

Food Editor

Olivia Ferguson

We're known for our iconic Christmas food, and behind every feast, there's years of meticulous planning from our magical in-house team. Want to know the Christmas products that will be getting the nation talking this year? Who better to ask than M&S Food Director of Product Development, Kathryn Turner. Here, she shares the products she's most excited to see hit Foodhall shelves this Christmas, from iconic party food to thoughtful gifts and wow-worthy big-day must-haves.

Christmas in store More Christmas ideas

1. The Marksologist Negroni

A classic Negroni is hard to beat, and our new The Marksologist version delivers all the bitter-sweet, aperitivo-inspired flavour you'd expect, without the need for any mixing. "It comes in such a beautiful bottle, making it a fantastic gift for cocktail lovers this Christmas," says Kathryn. "Plus, at £20, it's a really accessible way to give someone something that feels special."

More Christmas cocktails

Must-try Christmas drinks

2. Prawn Toast Cones

"Party food as a pre-Christmas picky dinner is loved in our house," says Kathryn, "and our Prawn Toast Cones are a little mouthful of perfection". Crisp pastry cones filled with black tiger prawns, ginger and spring onion, they're handmade exclusively for us in Vietnam. Find them in the Foodhall from 14 October, just in time for festive picky bits season.

Browse picky bits

3. Big Six Assortment

When it comes to festive gifting, "I always take what I'd like to receive myself," says Kathryn. This bumper biscuit selection ticks all the boxes. Inspired by biscuit assortments from the archives, it brings together six customer favourites, including Milk Chocolate Fudge Creams, Jam Sandwich Creams, Outrageously Chocolatey Marbled Whirls and All Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Beautifully packaged and made for sharing, it's a thoughtful gift for hosts, colleagues or anyone who appreciates a great biscuit with their Christmas cuppa.

Browse biscuits

Irresistible biscuits

4. Cranberry and pistachio baking brie

When you're hosting, you just can't go wrong with "hot, oozy, gooey cheese," says Kathryn. Available from 25 November, our Cranberry and Pistachio Brie Bake is one of her top party picks. "Perfectly ripened creamy brie, jewel-bright cranberries and crunchy pistachios and a flavourful cranberry glaze come together to create this oozingly delicious delight," she says. Just the thing to make an impression at those impromptu festive gatherings.

Christmas cheeseboard tips

5. Malt Balls

When Christmas film night rolls around, Kathryn knows exactly what she'll be reaching for. "Our new selection of Malt Balls is a big sharing carton of milk, dark, white and blond malt balls," she says. With deliciously crisp, malty centres thickly coated in chocolate, they're made for passing around while you're curled up on the sofa with family or hosting a cosy night in with friends.

Christmas chocolate guide

Top of the chocs

6. Wagyu beef Yorkshire pudding

Kathryn is a firm believer that Christmas hosting should be as stress-free as possible. "Our Foodhalls are here to help make Christmas a little easier, and there are so many great hacks," she says. One of her top recommendations is our Collection Wagyu Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings. "Produced in Yorkshire, where else? They're rich, crisp and golden, with a signature muffin-top shape that's perfect for catching lashings of gravy."

Yorkshire pudding guide

7. Oakham Turkey Crown on the Bone with Italian Chestnut, Pancetta and Calabrian Orange Stuffing

Our award-winning Oakham Turkey Crown on the Bone with Italian Chestnut, Pancetta and Calabrian Orange Stuffing is Kathryn's choice for a stress-free Christmas centrepiece. "Our new stuffed crown this year is inspired by all the wonderful Italian ingredients we source," she says. "It's a real crowd-pleaser – very easy to carve, and everyone loves it." Pre-order via our fuss-free Christmas Food to Order service now or in store from 18 December.

Shop turkeys

8. Collection Singe Origin Chocolate and Stem Ginger Panettone

A beautifully made panettone is one of Kathryn's Christmas non-negotiables. "It's another absolute favourite, and I always serve it while we're opening presents on Christmas Day," she says. Made in Italy with Piedmont butter from the Alps and a 60-year-old sourdough starter, our award-winning Collection Single Origin Chocolate and Stem Ginger Panettone (available in store 2 November), is studded with rich Dominican Republic chocolate.

More food gift ideas

Kathryn's festive favourites