Rebecca Tomes
Digital Assistant at Gathered
Rebecca is a Digital Assistant for Gathered and loves creating online content, particularly writing articles. Writing has always been a big part of Rebecca’s life, leading her to study English Language at University, but she discovered her love of creating social media content, including photography and video, since enrolling in a level 3 apprenticeship in content creation at the start of this year. Before working for Gathered, Rebecca was the Production Editor of Today’s Quilter for almost two years and fell in love with the world of craft and the wonderful crafty community. She is extremely passionate about how craft is a fantastic mindful activity and believes everyone would benefit from taking up craft as a hobby.
Recent articles by Rebecca Tomes
Hate Christmas? Here’s how to survive hosting this Holiday season (and actually enjoy it), says relationship expert
From getting the house guest-ready to preparing the sit-down dinner, hosting Christmas can feel extremely daunting. Find out how to take the stress out of the holidays, according to the experts.
Maximise small kitchens with these smart space-saving ideas
Use these simple and effective design tricks to make your small kitchen more spacious and inviting.
Chocolate orange trifle
This easy yet impressive dessert puts a spin on the classic trifle with delicious flavours of chocolate and orange. Recipe and image courtesy of Asda, asda.com
Chocolate mousse
Light, wonderfully chocolatey, and with a generous dollop of cream on top, you can't beat the classic chocolate mousse. Recipe and image from Bon App! by Isabelle Dunn (£30, Smith Street Books). Photography: Alan Benson.
Traditional braised red cabbage
With a wonderful tanginess and a perfect blend of spices, this braised red cabbage recipe will add extra flavour to your roast dinner. Recipe and image from A Very Vegan Christmas mini cookbook (£5, Viva!), veganrecipeclub.org.uk
Jewelled veggie leek and parsnip stuffing
Packed with seasonal vegetables, dried apricots and pecans, this tasty stuffing recipe is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas turkey. Recipe and image courtesy of Asda, asda.com
Beef dripping smashed roasties
Upgrade your roast potatoes with meaty flavour by cooking them in delicious beef dripping. Recipe and image courtesy of Asda, asda.com
Nut roast wreath with sage crisps
Make this vegan nut roast in the shape of a wreath and decorate with aromatic sage crisps and orange slices for the perfect festive dish. Recipe and image from A Very Vegan Christmas mini cookbook (£5, Viva!), veganrecipeclub.org.uk. Recipe: Maryanne Hall, photography: Niki Webster.
Sticky cola ham
Infuse your Christmas ham with sweet cola flavour and coat it with a treacly glaze with this delicious recipe. Recipe and image from Gluten Free Christmas by Becky Excell (£22, Quadrille). Photography: Hannah Hughes
Winter salad with bacon-coated prunes
This salad is a delight for the senses! With sweet prunes paired with salty bacon and juicy fresh fruit, this easy starter is sure to wow guests. Recipe and image from The Magical Christmas Cookbook (£20, Murdoch Books), murdochbooks.co.uk
Spiced apple frangipane tart
This tart is the perfect Christmas dessert, with sweet frangipane, soft apple slices, and a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crust. Recipe and image courtesy of Maldon Salt, maldonsalt.com
Fig, date and orange blossom Christmas pudding
Try this scrumptious Christmas pudding recipe, made with sweet dried fruit and a splash of orange liqueur, and beautifully decorated with orange slices and fresh figs. Recipe and image courtesy of Matthews Cotswold Flour, cotswoldflour.com and Aimee Twigger, @twiggstudios
Black Forest baked Alaska
Give this fan favourite dessert a 70s twist with flavours of tart cherry, rich dark chocolate, and kirsch. Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, realfood.tesco.com
Creamed spinach gratin
This spinach gratin recipe is luxuriously creamy and cheesy, with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Recipe and image from Bon App! by Isabelle Dunn (£30, Smith Street Books). Photography: Alan Benson
Honey and mustard-glazed roasted sprouts
Enhance your Brussels sprouts with sweetness and a bit of heat by coating them in a tasty honey and mustard glaze. Recipe and image courtesy of Asda, asda.com
Mushroom, butternut squash, chestnut and caramelised onion wreath
With tender mushrooms, sweet butternut squash, and flaky puff pastry, this wholesome dish is the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas feast. Recipe and image courtesy of Maldon Salt, maldonsalt.com
Squash and beetroot Wellington with kale pesto
With a satisfying filling of lentils and roasted vegetables, nutty kale pesto, and golden puff pastry, this wholesome dish is a delicious, vegan alternative to the beloved Wellington. Recipe and image from The Magical Christmas Cookbook (£20, Murdoch Books, murdochbooks.co.uk)
Cranberry and maple glazed turkey with butternut and pecan stuffing and sherry gravy
This Christmas, serve succulent roast turkey smothered in sweet and zesty cranberry sauce and paired with nutty butternut squash and pecan stuffing. Recipe and image courtesy of Golden Turkey, goldenturkeys.co.uk. Chef: Rachel Green Photography: Michael Powell
Blue cheese stuffed dates with maple pecans
Pair tangy blue cheese with rich Medjool dates and top with a pecan for an easy, sweet and savoury starter. Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, realfood.tesco.com
Easy festive vegan pâté
Made from smoked tofu and cashews, this tasty vegan pâté is ready in just 15 minutes. Recipe and image from A Very Vegan Christmas mini cookbook (£5, Viva!), veganrecipeclub.org.uk Recipe: Maryanne Hall, photography: Niki Webster
Cream of parsnip soup with thyme croutons
This hearty parsnip soup will warm you up this winter! Gloriously creamy and with just the right amount of kick, it's the perfect starter to serve on Christmas Day. Recipe and image from The Magical Christmas Cookbook (£20, Murdoch Books, murdochbooks.co.uk)
Orange and pink peppercorn gin-cured salmon
Impress this Christmas with these delicious canapés, made with crispy crostinis, cream cheese, and the star of the show – fragrant gin-cured salmon. Recipe and image courtesy of Hernö Gin, hernogin.com
Chicken liver pâté
Made with bacon for extra flavour, this smooth chicken liver pâté is rich and deliciously meaty. Make ahead: The pâté will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Recipe and image from Gloagburn: Recipes from a Scottish Farm by Alison Niven (£25, Kitchen Press, kitchenpress.co.uk)
Vegan cake pops
These vegan cake pops look just as great as they taste! Make them today for the perfect bite-sized treat to serve this Christmas. Recipe and image from A Very Vegan Christmas mini cookbook (£5, Viva!), veganrecipeclub.org.uk. Recipe: Maryanne Hall. Photography: Niki Webster.
