Curtis Stone’s budget-friendly tips for a festive Christmas

Australia’s most famous celebrity chef Curtis Stone has shared his tips for a budget friendly festive season.

Australia’s most famous celebrity chef Curtis Stone has shared his tips for a budget friendly festive season.

As the cost of living continues to impact us all, Stone said there’s several ways we can try and keep costs down this Christmas.

“At times like this, waste nothing,” Stone told Confidential.

“Food brings people together in a beautiful way because it is not just getting together, you are actually sitting down spending time with each other having all of those wonderful conversations so while the lead up to Christmas can be a bit crazy, it is actually a great time.”

Coles ambassador and Michelin Star chef Curtis Stone. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

Coles Liquor ambassador Nikki Phillps. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

LA-based Stone was the guest of honour as Coles unveiled its Christmas offerings over lunch at Lunar Studios in Eveleigh on Thursday. There, he shared with Confidential his top budget tips:

* Use produce that is versatile and can be used across multiple meals.

* Avoid wastage.

* Share the responsibilities to offset the costs so one person or family is not responsible for providing all food and drink.

* Shop smart, look around.

* Use produce that is in season.

Stone and American actor wife, Lindsay Price, and their sons Hudson and Emerson will spend Christmas in Australia this year.

Leah Weckert, CEO and Managing Director of Coles Group, at the Christmas event in Sydney. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

Unsurprisingly, food is the centre of celebrations in their home.

“My wife and my boys are very excited about an Aussie Santa,” Stone said.

“Lindsay is half Korean and my brother-in-law is from Fiji so there is so much going on with different influences in the family and I think that is Australia these days. But we still have moments of tradition, we have a ham and we do a turkey but then we will also cook beautiful seafood as well.”

Coles unveiled its own Christmas menu on Thursday, with a festive range including a new selection of easy-to-prepare products like reindeer bao buns filled with vegetables and mushrooms, a rib rack crackling pork roast, a fruit mince pie flavoured milk chocolate block and a Sicilian lemon curd sponge pudding.

Liquorland also released its Christmas range, which includes the award-winning Clare Valley riesling from The Crafty Punter and the Ovation Brut Cuvée.