Get Whisked Away This Holiday Season with Festive Cooking Specials and Marathons on Gusto

– Two Jamie Oliver and three original holiday cooking specials from ONE WORLD KITCHEN and FISH THE DISH's Spencer Watts debut this month –
– Gusto's festive lineup also features new holiday specials from Lorraine Pascale, as well as themed marathons including "Live Well for 2017" –
– Viewers can feast on Gusto with freeview available now until January 10 –

TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2016 /CNW/ - Holiday eating starts now as Gusto reveals its festive holiday lineup, including three original Canadian holiday specials. Viewers can also feast on Gusto's best food and lifestyle programming with eight deliciously-entertaining marathons, including the "Live Well for 2017" marathon on Monday, Jan. 2. The marathon serves up a first look at new healthy-living series coming to Gusto's schedule in the New Year, including the brand-new original series THE URBAN VEGETARIAN. For information on Gusto series, chefs, recipes, how-to videos, and more, visit gustotv.com.

Gusto's holiday schedule kicks off with ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY RECIPES, Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. ET, which follows the four hosts, Hana (Japan), Vanessa (Italy), Natalia (Argentina), and Pailin (Thailand) as they explore their favourite traditional holiday dishes influenced by their respective cultures. Then, at 9 p.m. ET, ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS bakes up beautiful, tasty treats as the hosts put a global twist on classic mouth-watering recipes, including matcha cheesecake and Thai shortbread cookies. The following week, Spencer Watts (FISH THE DISH) brings his unique and boisterous flare to Gusto with his holiday special, WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCER'S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES, Friday, Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. ET.

On Monday, Dec. 12 at 10 p.m. ET, Chef Rachel Allen explores Ireland's beautiful coastline in RACHEL'S COASTAL COOKING AT CHRISTMAS. Jamie Oliver teaches viewers how to cook the ultimate holiday feast in JAMIE'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, premiering for the first time in Canada on Friday, Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET. Finally, beloved U.K. chef Lorraine Pascale prepares for a festive family get-together in LORRAINE'S LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS, premiering Friday, Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. ET.

Gusto also serves up a buffet of marathons, starting with the "Holiday Specials Marathon" on Saturday, Dec. 24 beginning at 6 a.m. ET, which features more of British favourite, Jamie Oliver, including JAMIE'S CHRISTMAS WITH BELLS ON (Saturday, Dec. 24 at 10 p.m. ET). Viewers can also catch up on fan-favourite series with marathons of MASTERCHEF (Sunday, Dec. 25 – Tuesday, Dec. 27 beginning at 6 a.m. ET), MASTERCHEF CANADA (Wednesday, Dec. 28 – Sunday, Jan. 1 daily from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET), MARTHA & SNOOP'S POTLUCK DINNER PARTY (Monday, Jan. 2 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET), as well as themed marathons "Ladies of London" (Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 3 p.m. – Thursday, Dec. 29 at 6 a.m. ET) and "Best British Baking" (Thursday Dec. 29 – Friday, Dec. 30, from3 p.m. – 6 a.m. ET).

Rounding out Gusto's holiday marathon programming is "Live Well For 2017" (Friday, Dec. 30 at 6 a.m – Monday, Jan. 2 from 6 a.m. ET), which offers viewers a respite from holiday gluttony with a first look at Gusto's 2017 schedule, focusing on saving money and eating healthy. The marathon includes Jamie Oliver's SAVE WITH JAMIE, EAT WELL FOR LESS, and Gusto's brand-new original series THE URBAN VEGETARIAN.

For the complete list of Gusto marathon programming, click HERE

Viewers have the opportunity to get a taste of Canada's freshest food and lifestyle channel with Gusto's freeview, on now until January 10, 2017. A selection of Gusto's exclusive programming is also available with a free on demand sampling, through participating television providers, available now until January 10.

Jamie Oliver fans can head to GustoTV.com to enter Jamie's 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway contest, on now until Monday, Dec. 19 at 10 p.m. ET. Prize giveaways begin December 1, with the grand prize draw taking place December 20. With a value of over $1300, the grand prize includes everything needed for an inspired night-in cooking Oliver's favourites, or a well-deserved night out for two at Jamie's Italian (Yorkdale or Square One locations), and more.

Synopses of Gusto's holiday specials are included below. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit GustoTV.com to confirm local broadcast times).

**Media Note: Photography is available online at http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr

Friday, Dec. 2
7 p.m. – ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY RECIPES
For the first time, hosts Hana (Japan), Vanessa (Italy), Natalia (Argentina) and Pailin (Thailand) get together to cook their favourite traditional holiday dishes influenced by their respective cultures. Each host takes a turn leading this global kitchen as they serve up their succulent and savoury dishes including a colourful Christmas sushi roll, velvety veal in a creamy tuna sauce with capers, aromatic striped bass in garlic and lime marinade, and an epic timballo. For the final recipe, the hosts combine all the flavours of ONE WORLD KITCHEN into a truly internationally-inspired turkey dish.

9 p.m. – ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS
Celebrate the holidays with beautiful baked treats from Italy, Japan, Thailand, and Argentina. Vanessa, Hana, Pailin and Natalia put a global twist on classic mouth-watering recipes with rich panforte, honey-drizzled struffoli, light-as-air matcha cheesecake, delicate Thai shortbread cookies, decadent turron, and pillow-soft pan dulce. These easy-to-make recipes are sure to become a holiday baking tradition.

Friday, Dec. 9
9 p.m. – WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCER'S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES
Spencer Watts serves up his take on traditional holiday fare, showing viewers how to make an impressive dinner without the stress. Watts' feast has all the fixings, starting with a perfectly-brined turkey, delicious brussel sprouts, truffle-mashed potatoes, and not one, but two stuffings. For his vegetarian friends, Spencer serves up a veggie tart bursting with flavours and three types of cheese.

Monday, Dec. 12
10 p.m. – RACHEL'S COASTAL COOKING AT CHRISTMAS
Rachel Allen takes inspiration from the Irish coast for this collection of festive delights, including the perfect roast, and some delicious chocolates.

Friday, Dec. 16
9 p.m. – JAMIE'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Jamie Oliver helps viewers raise their seasonal game with foolproof recipes and clever tricks for cooking the ultimate holiday feast. Filmed at Oliver's Essex home with friends and family, this Christmas special is jam-packed with inspiration for mouth-watering, show-stopping festive dishes.

Friday, Dec. 23
9 p.m. – LORRAINE'S LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS
Lorraine Pascale creates a feast of tasty seasonal dishes, scrumptious edible gifts, and a stunning winter wonderland cake as she prepares for a festive family get-together. These ideas are bound to impress, even if you have left everything to the last minute.

About Gusto:
Gusto, Bell Media's first food and lifestyle channel, features a delicious mix of creative cooking and food programming paired with exciting home renovation, travel, and lifestyle shows. Gusto features a menu of original Canadian series and specials produced in 4K including ONE WORLD KITCHEN and FISH THE DISH, as well as acquired series from stars such as Jamie Oliver and Martha Stewart. Gusto is distributed to more than five million households across Canada and is also available online at www.gustotv.com and on-demand via participating television service providers. Gusto is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

SOURCE Gusto

Nicola Krishna, Music & Lifestyle, Bell Media, 416.384.5276 or [email protected]; Amanda Rinaldo, Music & Lifestyle, Bell Media, 416.384.5325 or [email protected]