CAKE maker Kate Emmett features on our festive cover this month with her exquisite looking Christmas pud cake pops.

The prolific blogger and Tweet queen from Jesmond is making quite a name for herself with her sweet treats.

And here Kate shares her recipe for said cake pops with readers, along with her own personal festive fave, almond roca.

Inside, wine expert Helen Savage shares her recommendations, too, for Champagnes to see you through Christmas and into the New Year.

And to add to the Christmassy feel to Taste, artist Charlie Evans has painted a wonderful snow-clad scene of Corbridge in Northumberland, where our angelic reviewer dined out in some style.

Elsewhere, we have dining reviews of the characterful Blackfriars and afternoon tea in the Grainger Lounge at the swish new Hotel Indigo, both in Newcastle.

A time to eat, drink and be merry. Enjoy!