This issue marks something of a historic landmark - we have a turkey recipe. As regular readers of the Food magazine will know, I'm not a great fan of it and never cook it for Christmas, so I'll be opting for the pork or goose options. This is another bumper, glossy issue, and there are 16 pages of recipes ranging from cranberry sauce with sloe gin to my black pudding and devilled kidneys. To help you get ahead with your Christmas planning the Harris brothers - Matthew and Henry from London's Bibendum and Racine - have come out from under the mistletoe to test the best and worst ready-made Christmas food - from puds, cakes and shortbread to stuffing and canapés -so you don't have to. The spirit of good cheer extends to our comedy special. We've asked our favourite comedy actors to reveal where they like to eat out. There's Vic Reeves at his local boozer in Kent, Lucy Davis from The Office guzzling flourless chocolate cake at a cafe in Hollywood and Rob Brydon fine-dining at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons.

Haute cuisine is not something the pineapple plantation workers of Costa Rica are concerned with, other than the fruits of their backbreaking labour fetching up on a European table for more per slice than they're paid by the hour. Humanitarian groups are becoming increasingly alarmed at the physical toll 12-hour days and exposure to pesticides are taking of workers who are paid around 1p per every five seedlings planted. Joanna Blythman's investigates.

On a cheerier overseas note, Rachel Cooke goes on a nocturnal truffle hunt in Italy, and writer Peter Mayle who put Provence so firmly on the map celebrates his love of good wine while challenging the ludicrous language used by wine tasters. He finally lost his rag when told to listen to different Champagne bubble sounds. Drink up!