Thanksgiving 101: Hosting
It’s official — Thanksgiving is only a few days away. It’s so close, I can practically smell the gravy and seasoning already! You’ve got your cocktails and the table settings covered, but now it’s time to put it all together to create a cohesive and memorable holiday party that your loved ones will love.
If you’ve never hosted a Thanksgiving dinner before, it’s safe to say it can feel quite intimidating. Hosting holiday parties comes with a lot of responsibility that calls for careful timing when it comes to cooking and last-minute creativity when pulling it all together. As I prepared to write this blog on how to host a thanksgiving dinner, two friends immediately came to mind: Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian.
I spent six years working side by side with this hospitality duo, and I can say firsthand they know how to host a party! The Zakarian’s are widely known in the industry for many incredible culinary achievements, so it’s no surprise that when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, these two are the experts.
During my time with Zakarian Hospitality, I spent many years opening restaurants and helping to build the Zakarian Hospitality brand. With that came the privilege of watching the magic of Geoffrey and Margaret when it came to entertaining. Their attention to detail is of the best I have witnessed and thanks to Geoffrey I will always know how to perfectly light a room and where to find the most stunning plate ware. Thanks to Margaret, I always love to surprise a guest with an unexpected gift at the end of a party or where to source the perfect paper for an invitation, so you set the tone from the first impression
So, without further ado, here are some of the best pieces of advice on how to host a thanksgiving dinner, courtesy of my dear friends Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian.
Photos: Kassatex
What is the key to cooking the perfect turkey?
Make sure it is room temperature before going in the oven and do not follow the plastic pop-up gadget. If it's popped up, it's overcooked! Get a digital thermometer and the bird should read 155 degrees at the thickest part of the breast. Take it out and let it rest for 2 hours before carving. Tent with foil and it will still be warm when eating.
What can we do with our pumpkins other than the typical pumpkin pie?
Roast them whole on a sheet tray. Once charred ( about an hour) , let it cool. Slice it open, scoop out seeds and serve with maple syrup, butter and cinnamon.
How can the host take away the stress of hosting?
Do as much ahead as possible and do NOT attempt a new recipe on the day of the occasion. Either practice a few times before or stick to what you know. This is the biggest mistake people make, trying out unique or hard things on the day of a holiday.
As a guest what should I bring to the host?
Offer to bring something potluck, if they refuse, then bring a few bottles of very nice wine. It's always appreciated and can be served on the spot or saved for them to enjoy later.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving family tradition?
We go a bit more formal on Thanksgiving. It is nice to get dressed up and make it a special event. Whether we are cooking at home, cooking at one of our restaurants or going out to eat, we usually go fancy! Never a bad occasion when you bring out the china and put on your best.
Photos: Kassatex
What is the best time to start the Thanksgiving festivities? How early is too early?
You should start the planning at least a month ahead. It gives you time to order a heritage bird which is quite special. It also gives your guests time to plan on a dish to bring if you have asked them to, and it allows for breathing room for you to think about how to decorate the table.
What is the best etiquette for invitations to Thanksgiving dinner?
The sooner the better! Travel arrangements can be tricky at holiday time. And it is always nice to include friends or colleagues that don't have anywhere to go. It's what Thanksgiving is all about.
Any extra touches to the evening that will impress the guests?
Make some pumpkin pie spiced granola and pack them in Ball jars with each guest's name tagged on them to take home. This is a special touch that they can enjoy the next morning. Also, we try to buy extra plastic containers so we can pack up leftovers for the guests to enjoy at their own home as well.
And there you have it — holiday tips from the best of the best! I want to thank Geoffrey and Margaret for these amazing pieces of advice, I hope that some of you find them useful for the upcoming celebrations this weekend.
Thank you for following along throughout my Thanksgiving series. Remember, no matter what you do, your guests will be thrilled to be spending time with you and their loved ones this holiday season — especially after the past year — so my best piece of advice is to not get stressed over the smaller details. The most important part of hosting is to enjoy yourself, because good company always makes for the best memories.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!