Great to see a new magazine launch in these troubled times. Even better that it is absolutely doing its own thing. Conceived by Guardian food writer Tim Hayward, Fire & Knives is a beautiful looking magazine filled with articles by established food writers that might not be published elsewhere. New writers get a look in too, but all this adds up to a brilliantly put together publication, unsullied by advertising and paid for by subscriptions alone. Illustration is pivotal to the magazine too, which is another step forward, and the strong but understated typography by Rob Lowe, makes it a must-have buy for food lovers.

Could a subscription be the perfect Christmas present? We think so.