Being an omnivore my only real concern about what is on my plate this Christmas is that it is delicious. Whether or not it contains meat is frankly irrelevant. Others think differently. This issue of Observer Food Monthly is awash with five-star ideas for the meatless Christmas feast, from David Thompson's Thai geng gari aromatic vegetable curry to my own chard-and-cheddar tart. We like to think that they will appeal not just to the modern vegetarian but to those die-hard carnivores who might fancy jumping the fence at some point over the holidays. The pumpkin tortilla is definitely a Boxing Day special to be wolfed down after a long walk in that lovely scarf auntie gave you.

For pudding we have taken the opportunity to pick a few of the world's most starry chefs' brains. Ferran Adrià, Joël Robuchon and the brilliant Mr Blumenthal have all contributed their favourite Christmas desserts for us to tuck into to raise funds for the charity Crisis. With about 23 Michelin stars between them this is a very galaxy of sweet treats to amuse us over the next few weeks.

Here at Food Monthly, we are naturally constantly concerned about where our next decent meal is coming from. To this selfish end we have been chasing the new stars, the up-and-coming movers and shakers (and choppers and sievers and blenders and stirrers) of the culinary world. For every famous name weighed down with enough glittering awards to make their kitchens look like a branch of H Samuel (chefs can be quite tacky you know), there are a dozen or more wannabes coming up behind. In this issue we take a look at the latest bunch of rising stars in the kitchen including Gordon Ramsay's new find Clare Smyth, who is already showing everyone (or at least those who can get a table) what she is made of.

And, as if your stockings weren't bulging enough already, we have thrown in some festive cheeses from the gorgeous Alex James, a yule shopping basket from Alain Ducasse and a very, very special present that is the tale of Christmases past from three star writers, Kate Mosse, Lionel Shriver and Augusten Burroughs. Oh, and that nice Tim Atkin gets to pop his cork again. Have a good one!