Part of a series of short stories written for Radio 4 by Alexander McCall Smith, the bestselling author of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Each story is set at Christmastime and features the giving of gifts.

In this second story, "The Revenge, or Otherwise, of Herbie Bontemps", a talented but hot-tempered Canadian chef learns a lesson in humility when he meets his nemesis in the form of a food critic.

Other stories in the series are read by Hannah Gordon, James Fleet, William Gaminara and Stephanie Cole. They range in subject matter from a generous female owner of a Wall of Death, to an enterprising elderly Professor escaping the confines of a compassionless care home, to the dutiful President of an Eastern European country attending to the poor; and not forgetting Cousin Grace who, over a very dry Martini, shares her adventures in love (just the four marriages, so far) with three rapt young relatives.

Reader: Trevor White

Writer: Alexander McCall Smith

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron. Show less