After many months, and many tasting sessions, at last we are able to announce the winner of our Christmas competition (BMJ 18-25 December). The competition was strong and the quality of many recipes was extremely good. In the interests of thorough, hands-on research, we would have liked to cook all the meals in our office kitchen, but the limited equipment (microwave, kettle, and toaster) affected our ability to follow the methods set out in the recipes.

We finally resorted to the eminent chef Raymond Blanc, whose own Polymeal recipe started the ball rolling for a final decision, see (http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/misc/christmas-competition.shtml). His choice of the winner was based on six criteria: presentation, tastes and textures, creativity, method, clarity of setting out the recipe, and adherence to the recommended quantities of the essential ingredients. The winner is Heather A Haywood, a general practitioner at the Camelon Medical Practice, Falkirk; her Polymeal is set out …