I’m the person who decides what you eat at Christmas
Share:
From collectable biscuit tins, to light up gin snow globes and charcuterie Christmas trees, M&S is often at the forefront of seasonal food trends, levelling up buffet and dinner tables across the UK. Stephen Fitzgerald, head of product development at the retailer, is one of the people who helps work out what will end up on the supermarket’s shelves – and our plates – every Christmas.
![[Marks & Spencer Group Plc Store Ahead Of Earnings]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2152821053.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I have one of the best jobs in the world,’ Stephen, 53, says. ‘Getting to design amazing, delicious food is great fun, and that’s really our main aim – it has to be as delicious as it can possibly be.’. These words couldn’t be truer than at Christmas time when everyone is looking to indulge a little more than usual.
![[M&S Turkey Feast Lasagne]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/29425938_XMAS-Turkey-Feast-Lasagne-FW-750g_-a451-e1729776476205.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
However, according to Stephen, who has worked at M&S for 12 years, starting as a development chef, he can’t go totally wild when coming up with tasty new treats for us all. In fact, there’s one essential rule the team has to follow when coming up with products for the holiday season.
![[M&S Collection Brussels Sprout Gratin]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/568305011_3_1280x1280-8563.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘There has to be a balance around Christmas because it’s such a nostalgic time of year in terms of food and tradition, but at the same time, people want novelty and they want something different and interesting,’ he tells Metro. ‘You can’t make something too tricksy, so we have a motto which is that you can change one thing, but don’t change two.
