Festive food stories

We take a trip around the world with BBC World Service presenters and listeners, finding out which are their favourite foods when a celebration is in order.

A porridge which is hidden around the house to ward off spirits, sweet and delicious pilau shared with neighbours and an ornate box filled with as many as 50 types of food in Japan – we hear about what’s on the menu at this time of year.

Ruth Alexander has help from her enthusiastic three-year-old son to make a traditional Christmas cake for the first time and BBC World Service business presenter Devina Gupta gets stuck washing up after a delicious Diwali feast with her family in Delhi.

Producers: Hannah Bewley, Beatrice Pickup and Rumella Dasgupta

Image: Ruth and her son making Christmas cake, Credit: BBC

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk