* WHERE to start? How about with The Killingworth Castle in Wootton, re-opening on Saturday with a fabulous seasonal menu featuring local suppliers which include Gloucestershire Old Spot Pork Belly and Madgetts Farm chicken, as well as drinks from companies such as The Cotswold Brewing Company, Uley Brewery and Shotover Brewery.

Award winning chef Andrew Lipp is on board, a refurb has been completed, a great events calendar drawn up and the future looks bright for the 1640s pub. Go to thekillingworthcastle.com

 * It’s Watlington Town Christmas Fair on Saturday so alongside the sleigh rides, craft fair, music from local groups, community group stalls, and of course, Father Christmas arriving on his sleigh, for the first time ever there will be a Fine Food Fair.

Showcasing local suppliers, expect preserves, locally farmed meat, special occasion cakes, pies and biscuits, speciality cheeses and delicatessen treats, fabulous shakes, coffee and sandwiches, fish and chips, Indian delicacies, Le Rac Shack who will be selling hot raclette from their old Citroen van and of course, Calnan’s famous BBQ.

* Pizza Express is coming to Market Square in Witney as of tomorrow, adding the market town to their extensive portfolio. It means yet more choice for Witney’s residents following the Blue Boar’s opening earlier this year.

* The lovely Alex Mackay, Raymond Blanc protégé and celebrity cook in his own right, has announced his range of fabulous gift ideas for Christmas, primarily his new cookbook Everybody Everyday, which involved him travelling from Wellington to Wales showing people his radically fresh way to cook. Go to alexmackay.com

 * We are still waiting to find out how the Aziz on Cowley Road fared at the Curry Awards 2012. Nominated for the prestigious Best Spice Restaurant South East we’ve got our fingers and toes crossed.

* And finally, make sure you get down to the Christmas pop-up shop Flash In The Pan which is open from Tuesday until December 22 in support of The Art Room – an Oxford based charity which offers art as therapy to children and young people. Apart from the usual art, jewellery, ceramics and eclectic mix of gifts, food and objects, this year the Flash In The Pan has gone all foodie and drinkie, with Tea Cocktail tasting, and a Christmas cookery demonstration by celebrity chef Sophie Grigson and the wonderful Italian Mariella Bliss.

If you can’t face the Christmas parties in fear of the morning after, then order some NOHO, the new hangover defence. The natural vitamin and nutrient drink reinforces your body against the impact of alcohol in your system.