Jill: Winter warmer tips from the Ice Queen

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a truly scrumptious Christmas and sparkly New Year.

Well, the snow has arrived and we are certainly feeling the crispy whisper of Jack Frost. Every year I count the days until Spring.

My friends call me the Ice Queen as I really hate the cold and will do everything I can to be as warm as toast.

They laugh at me when we go out as I have so many layers on and all my warm accessories. But, you've guessed it, I'm the only one who isn't moaning from the cold!

Here are a few winter warmer tips for if you're like me and really feel the cold. Oatmeal porridge every morning topped with bananas helps to keep that morning chill at bay.

Learn to... Cook

Learning to cook should be fun, not a chore. So to make it easier, our guest presenter Simon Brown is sharing with you a few basic skills to help get you started.

Plus, check back during the week for more from our Learn to... series.

1. Make a shopping list

There's nothing worse than opening the fridge halfway through a recipe and finding that you don't have a vital ingredient. Make a list of all things you need and check the quantities required too before you go shopping.

2. Follow the recipe exactly

Every recipe will have been tested before publishing to make sure that the quantities are correct and that the directions work, so it’s important to follow the recipe to the letter. Always do things in the order stated rather than jumping to the exciting bit.

3. Use the right utensils 

If the recipe says that you need to use a small bowl or a large saucepan then do so. Working with the wrong utensil can lead to disappointment by making mixing more difficult or letting the food cook too quickly or too slowly, spoiling the end result.

4. Be safe  

Make sure you have somewhere safe to put your pan or dish of food before you take it off the hob or out of a hot oven. Running around the kitchen trying find somewhere to plonk a red hot roasting tin is no joke and is potentially dangerous! Use heat resistant trivets or mats and clear some worktop space for them before you put the oven gloves on.

5. Relax and enjoy

Now all the hard work’s done give yourself some time to savour and enjoy what you’ve made, and ask someone else to do the washing-up!

For more top tips and kitchen advice make sure you tune in on Thursday 8th January at 10am for our Learn to... Cook show.

View our full cooking and dining range

Craig's cook's essentials dinner party

Hi there, hope you're all having a good week and are ready for Christmas.

Anyone who's seen me on the box will know I'm a HUGE fan of cook's essentials kitchen products! I always get a bit flustered when I'm cooking for people, so knowing my cookware is reliable always makes my feel a little bit calmer.

I got to test that theory out last week when I threw a little dinner party for friends.

Jill: Celeb-spotting at the Ivy Restaurant

Remember a few weeks ago I celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary? Well, two dear friends, Cath and Pete, came to London for a few nights and we met up. My husband and I met them in St Lucia and they were at our wedding. They also got married two days later and we have remained dear friends for life.

My husband is a member of The Ivy Private members' club and we all had a wonderful evening together over dinner. The food was delicious (especially the dessert). We laughed so much and had so much to catch up on. I had a few comments  on my Lola Rose Today's Special Value that I had chosen to wear.

We spotted Louis Walsh arriving for dinner from the USA prior to his Saturday night X-Factor show. Theo Paphitis from Dragons Den arrived in his Rolls Royce and I passed Tom Stoppard on the way to the cloakroom...before we knew it, it was Midnight and we had had an incredible night to remember.

Jill x

Debbie and her girls get baking with Today's Special Value

Last night the girls and I made cup cakes, apple and peach crumble, and pizza using the Today's Special Value bakeware set. They couldn't believe that the silicone didn't melt in the oven!

Annalie said "Mum, I've made my dream cup cakes!"

They didn't even moan about the washing up as nothing stuck!

I'd definitely recommend taking a look at this fab bakeware set.

Debbie x

Julian Ballantyne: My week

This week has started on a bit of a low because my mum has not been too well.  However the doctor has been and she is on the mend.

Still undecided about Christmas but Spain is still favourite. Looking forward to the next couple of weeks, catching up with old friends that I only see once a year sadly but that's what Christmas is all about.

Went to Fulham versus Manchester City at the weekend courtesy of Paul Langdon and John Brooke. Richard Jackson came along and Dale joined us for dinner.

Presenters' Christmas dinner takes place this Wednesday and Thursday and I'm really looking forward to it. Shame we can't all go together but somebody needs to hold the fort.

Until next week,

JB x

Pipa takes over the QVC kitchen

I don’t know if you've noticed our amazing new spangly sets that we launched at the beginning of this month??

We’ve closed down another studio at the moment which is also undergoing refurbishment – so more great new looks are coming your way in the New Year!

I absolutely love our new QVC kitchen – being someone who spends a lot of time at the stove and just hovering around the kitchen table with a cup of tea and some playdo… with the children of course! Mind you, saying that, I do get obsessed with lego and train tracks and regularly find myself getting the children to come and play with me rather than the other way around!

Catherine: Food, glorious food!

I love food so much that I'm having my own Christmas food and drink gift ideas show tomorrow (Friday 21st November) at 2pm.

It's going to be my kind of day! I'll be doing two hours of crafting with Dawn Bibby from 11am and then a whole hour of foodie gifts, including cakes and choccies. Mmmm.

Anyone who watches our craft shows knows my mantra of 'craft & chocolate'. They go so well together! After all, you need to keep your strength up when creating!

Jill Franks on moving home

Hi QGossipers,

I'm exhausted - just moved in to a new house and spending most evenings unpacking boxes and making sure we've got everything we need in our new home.

We've had the removal men doing most of the hard work unpacking and they asked for a list of priorities. Most women would say the kitchen stuff and things for the bedrooms. Not me - mine were the tread machine and my wardrobe with my cherished handbags, shoes and outfits!

Debbie: The temptations of presenting Thorntons chocolate

As a self-confessed chocoholic, I had a ball on Sunday in our Thorntons show. Our guest, Amanda Stearn, had to almost physically restrain me from scoffing the entire day's stock! Thorntons chocs definitely fall into the irresistible category.

The Thorntons show reminded me of a series I presented years ago for the BBC with Tom O'Connor (lovely man). We toured all over the country and I presented the out and about travelogue part of the show.