Dietary Requirements is The Spinoff’s monthly podcast in which we eat, drink and talk about it too, with special thanks to Freedom Farms. This month, we’re joined by Hilary Pearson, general manager of Freedom Farms, for our Christmas episode.

To listen, use the player below or download this episode (right click and save). Make sure to subscribe via iTunes, or via your favourite podcast client. And please share Dietary Requirements with your friends. Get in touch if you have any questions or requests: aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nz

Our beloved cohost Sophie Gilmour is MIA this month, but she has a pretty good excuse – just a few days before we recorded, Sophie gave birth to little Odette, her first baby with husband David. Sending big aroha their way! Rest assured Odette will be joining us on the podcast in the not-too-distant future (and Soph will probably tag along too).

Stepping capably into Sophie’s shoes this episode is Hilary Pearson, general manager of Freedom Farms, which has sponsored this podcast and The Spinoff food section since inception some 18 months ago – if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t exist!

Tis the season for ham and what Hilary doesn’t know about that most festive of meats isn’t worth knowing, so we interrogate her for tips, tricks and tales from Christmases past, and she talks us through these three out-of-the-ordinary glaze recipes. We also ponder pavlova – specifically why it’s so bloody hard to nail it in a humid Auckland summer – and discuss some delicious alternatives.

Speaking of ham, do you want to win one? We’re giving away two Freedom Farms half champagne hams, each of which comfortably feeds 12 with Boxing Day leftovers to boot. Only catch is you have to pick it up in Auckland, either from Freedom Farms’ office in Parnell, or The Spinoff HQ in Morningside. Email aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nz with ham giveaway in the subject line to enter.

Meri Kirihimete, and see you next year!