In this episode of In Good Taste, I sit down with time management expert and six-time bestselling author Suzanne Mulholland, aka The Batch Lady, to explore why batch cooking and batch prepping might just save your sanity (and your Christmas).
We unpack how to make everyday cooking less of a slog, how to use your freezer like a pro, and the simple systems that help real-life home cooks get dinner on the table with less stress, less waste and far fewer decisions.

What we cover:
• Batch cooking vs batch prepping — and Suzanne’s game-changing method
• Why she never makes more than two of the same meal (and how to avoid sad vats of leftovers)
• Freezer strategy 101: turning yours into a tidy “library” of meals
• The problem with freezing random ingredients (hello, chopped celery) and why whole meals work better
• What freezes brilliantly and what just doesn’t
• Suzanne’s Christmas game plan: do December in November and let the month run on autopilot
• Entertaining without losing the plot — with make-ahead ideas you’d never believe

I’m Mallika Basu, food writer, speaker and adviser, on a mission to make food matters accessible and joyful. My new book, In Good Taste: What Shapes What We Eat and Drink – and Why It Matters, is available to ⁠pre-order now out on 22 Jan 2026⁠.

Say hello / pitch ideas: ingoodtastepod@gmail.com