January seasonal update

The Staff Canteen

January in the UK is deep winter, marked by hearty dishes and robust produce.

Root vegetables, brassicas, and game dominate menus, while shellfish is in excellent condition. Chefs embrace slow-cooked comfort food and warming flavours.

We have collaborated with some top chefs to bring you seasonal ideas and recipes as inspiration for your menus this month.

Special thanks this month to Adam Degg (Fifty Two Rudding Park), Vivek Singh (Cinnamon Club), Bartholomew Stratfold (Timberyard and Montrose), Andy Beynon (Behind) and Nathan Cornwell (The Silver Birch) for their recipe contributions.

Hero Produce – January 2026

• Venison – Ideal for hearty winter mains

• Forced rhubarb – Bright, tart, and seasonal.

• Brussels sprouts – Perfect for seasonal sides.

• Cod – Clean, white-fleshed and versatile.

• Celeriac – Earthy and ideal for purée or roasting.

Game in January

• In season: Pheasant, partridge, wild duck, woodcock, rabbit, venison (all species), hare.

Recipe links:

Venison dish by Adam Degg

Vivek Singh's deer dish

 

Check out this video with Liam Anderson from Daniel Clifford's two-Michelin-starred Midsummer House -

UK Seafood in January

• In season: Cod, haddock, pollock, hake, turbot, plaice, oysters, scallops, mussels.

Recipe links:

Cod dish by Nathan Cornwell

Cod dish by Adam Degg

Cod dish with squid and kale on a white plate at Behind restaurant

Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables

• Roots: Parsnip, swede, turnip, beetroot, celeriac

• Brassicas: Kale, savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower.

• Others: Leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, forced rhubarb, apples, pears.

Recipe links:

Cod and celeriac dish by Bart Stratfold

Celeriac dish by Adam Degg

Seasonal Cheese & Dairy

• Stilton, Tunworth, Baron Bigod, Lincolnshire Poacher, Montgomery’s Cheddar.

Wild & Foraged Ingredients

• In season: Wood sorrel, chickweed, oyster mushrooms, velvet shanks, jelly ear, hairy bittercress.

Preservation Ideas

• Pickled red cabbage or beetroot.
• Fermented swede or turnip.
• Spiced apple chutney.
• Forced rhubarb jam.

Baking & Desserts with Seasonal Fruit

• Rhubarb and custard tart
• Spiced pear and almond cake
• Apple tarte Tatin
• Sticky toffee pudding

Check out this recipe video featuring forced rhubarb, from Harry Kirkpatrick at Trinity.

January Market Insight

• Game prices stable post-Christmas.
• Shellfish high in quality but weather-sensitive.
• Forced rhubarb commands a premium early in the month.
• Root vegetables are cost-effective and in abundant supply.

Are you using any seasonal ingredients in your menus? Upload your pics and recipes to our Chef+ mobile app, tag us in on Instagram @thestaffcanteen or email recipes to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our next seasonal update!

     

Built by Chefs. Powered by You.

For 17 years, The Staff Canteen has been the meeting place for chefs and hospitality professionals—your stories, your skills, your space.

Every recipe, every video, every news update exists because this community makes it possible.

We’ll never hide content behind a paywall, but we need your help to keep it free.

If The Staff Canteen has inspired you, informed you, or simply made you smile, chip in £3—less than a coffee—to keep this space thriving.

Together, we keep the industry connected. Together, we move forward.

The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 1st January 2026

January seasonal update