09 Dec Culinary expedition – Christmas, New Year’s & everything in between: culinary traditions in a new guise

December is the month in which we cherish our traditions and reinvent them. When the year slowly comes to a standstill, and new ideas blossom. It is a time of connection. Around the festive table, in the kitchen, with family, friends or colleagues. But what is a tradition, actually? The word tradition comes from the Latin trádere: to pass on, to hand over, to preserve. And that is exactly what we do in this period of the year. We pass on dishes, stories and moments. From grandmother to mother, from father to daughter, from family to friends, from generation to generation.

Culinary traditions of today
We return to classics and “old” methods of preparation more than ever. Not out of nostalgia, but out of a desire for flavour, recognition and experience. And at the same time, we give them a surprisingly modern makeover. A stew is made with local game, artisanal cider and winter spices, presented in a culinary way. We see brioche bread at breakfast, pâté and pie with drinks, ragout in modern mini croissant cups, and yes, even the stuffed eggs are doing well. And what about the classic beef Wellington? And the rise of fermented vegetables. What was once purely functional for preserving food is now a culinary trend.

These are the comeback classics that we are guaranteed to still see on the table in 2026:
• Stews with game or slowly braised beef, but also vegetarian stews with, for example, mushrooms
• Powerful broths in all kinds of variations, such as bisques and also vegetable-based
• Ragout, but then in all kinds of flavour variations, served in small dishes, brioche or puff pastry cups
• Beef Wellington, a classic at star level
• Stuffed eggs, back from being forgotten, modernly presented, just wait!
• Reappreciation of bread, butter, cheese. What was once simple now becomes signature. From fresh sourdough bread as an “amuse” to homemade butter with herbs or sea salt.
• Classic desserts with a modern twist, such as trifle or apple pie

Why do we love these dishes so much?
Because they are recognisable. They provide comfort, recognition and memory. They connect us with our families, with a time or a place. And sometimes even with our roots. And precisely in times when everything is changing faster than ever, we embrace these culinary anchors.

Starting new traditions? Do it!
At Eat2Gather, it is not only about cherishing traditions, but also about creating new ones. Organise a Christmas or New Year’s cooking workshop for colleagues, replace the traditional dinner with an interactive tasting with your team using traditional and local ingredients. Experience all kinds of flavours during a sparkling wine or beer tasting or a culinary walk. Turn your team outing into a culinary tradition!
At Eat2Gather you will find the classics, the modern kitchen and everything in between.

Which tradition will you pass on to 2026?