Home for Christmas with Sam Holland

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When Sam Holland talks about food, you can hear the enthusiasm in his voice, not just for the flavours, but for the stories behind them. His new cookbook, a fresh and friendly guide to cooking with confidence, is full of that same warmth. For the chef, who has gained quite a following for his down-to-earth approach and engaging online videos, the book marks an exciting new chapter. It’s an invitation to discover the joy of cooking, especially for those just starting out in the kitchen. “It’s been a real labour of love,” he says. “I poured my heart and soul into it. I wanted to make something that was genuinely useful, a solutions-based book that encourages young people and others new to cooking to make meals without being intimidated. Minimal equipment, big flavour.”

Recipes for real life

Sam’s book is filled with simple, flavourful dishes – but also with the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference. Alongside recipes for butter chicken, salmon poke bowls and tacos, you’ll find guidance on the basics: knife techniques, storing herbs, and even how to chill a beer quickly in an emergency! “When I talked to people about the book, it was the really practical things they wanted to know about. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know the basics. Once you’ve got those down, you can take on increasingly more complicated dishes.

A family-fed passion

Food has always been the glue in the Holland household. Growing up as one of four brothers, Sam remembers dinner as the time everyone came together: noisy, funny, and full of stories. His father is comedian Dominic Holland, his mother Nikki is a photographer. The eldest child is Spider-Man star Tom, then there’s Sam, his twin Harry, and the youngest is Paddy.

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“We’d all be running around in different directions during the day, but dinner was when we came back together. There’d be laughter, chaos, and the occasional sarcastic comment from Dad if your story didn’t land,” he laughs. Now the boys have flown the nest and with Tom away filming a lot, meeting up for dinner is more precious than ever, he adds. It was Sam’s grandmother, Granny Tess, who first sparked his love of cooking. “She’s an amazing home cook,” he says. “She taught me to make soda bread, scones, apple crumble – those were my first lessons in the kitchen. Not everyone’s lucky enough to have a Granny Tess, so hopefully my book can fill that role for someone else.” Two of his favourite recipes pay tribute to that heritage: Granny Tess’s Irish soda bread and the family’s “Twin Baker” brownies, a nostalgic nod to a childhood business he ran with his twin brother, Harry. “We wore matching blue polos, sold brownies and soda bread door-to-door, and Tom designed our logo. It was short-lived, but the brownies live on!” For the book, his brothers, his girlfriend, Clark, and neighbour, Julie, all tested recipes during the writing process and gave feedback. Says Sam: “My brothers are all rubbish in the kitchen and we needed to make sure these recipes are idiot proof!”

Pro kitchens

Sam, 25, didn’t take a straight path to becoming a chef. He started at university, but realised food was where his heart truly lay. Training at Leith’s Cookery School led to stints in some of Britain’s best-known kitchens, including Gleneagles, and Chez Bruce in Wandsworth. “They were incredible learning experiences,” he says. “But professional kitchens can be quite remote. You never see the people enjoying your food. What I love about cooking now – sharing recipes online, writing, hosting supper clubs – is the connection. That’s what cooking means to me.” That sense of connection has also helped grow a thriving social media community, where Sam’s relaxed style and humour have won him over 700k followers on Instagram and on TikTok. “I’ve always loved teaching,” he says. “Even in the restaurant kitchens, I’d show apprentices little tricks I’d learned. Now I get to do that with a much bigger audience. If I can get just a few more young people cooking for themselves, saving money, and eating better, that’s the goal.”

Kingston through and through

Despite his growing profile, Sam’s life remains firmly rooted in Kingston, where he still lives just a short walk from his parents. “Kingston’s a very homely place,” he says. “I live about ten minutes from Mum and Dad, so it’s nice and close. I grew up here, and I still love it. His local favourites include Poor Boys, known for its Southern comfort food, and The Cocoanut, a family-run Thai pub. The family spent time in Thailand while Tom was filming The Impossible: “That food really connects with us. Having a spot like that here in Kingston feels special.” He’s also fond of The Grey Horse, a popular place for barbecue food and comedy nights. “It’s actually where I found out my mum was pregnant with my younger brother Paddy,” he adds. “It’s full of memories.” Richmond Park is another favourite. “During lockdown, that was a godsend,” he says. “Getting out into nature helped everyone keep their sanity.” He and Clark also enjoy date night at the Curzon cinema.

A Holland family Christmas

With the festive season here, Sam’s thoughts are turning to the big family Christmas dinner. “I like to take complete control of the cooking,” he admits. “I don’t like too many people getting involved. Forget turkey – at the Holland house, it’s all about pork shoulder slow-cooked for around eight hours, mulled wine red cabbage and, of course, Granny Tess’s Christmas pudding. “Cooking Christmas dinner can be quite daunting,” he says. “But you can do loads in advance: gravy, red cabbage, even cauliflower cheese and par-boiling the potatoes. I cook the pork the day before and soak it in half of the gravy overnight so it stays juicy. The key is giving yourself time to enjoy the day. And when it comes to pudding… “We’re all absolutely full to the brim, but I can always squeeze in Christmas pudding, which we set alight before we serve it. Tom and Harry don’t really like Christmas pudding, so I get their portions too!”

Looking ahead

With his first book now out in the world, Sam’s thinking about what’s next. “I’d love to keep writing, do more teaching, maybe more TV. I just want to keep inspiring people to cook. He’s also closely involved with The Brothers Trust, the family’s charitable foundation. “It’s something we’re all really proud of,” he says. “I’ve auctioned dinners and cooking classes to raise money, and we’ve got a charity ball coming up next spring. It’s a lovely way to give back.” For Sam, it all comes back to one simple idea: that food connects us. “Cooking brings people together,” he says. “And that’s what it’s all about.” Sam Holland’s Kitchen Kickstart is out now, Penguin Books