Preparing meals for groups during the holidays can be a source of stress for many Americans. According to a poll by OnePoll, 75 percent of Americans report feeling stressed about holiday hosting. To help alleviate some of this pressure, several Georgia chefs have offered practical advice to make holiday meal preparation more manageable.
Olivier Reedholm, Executive Chef at Ecco Buckhead, suggests separating cold and hot meal prep: “Prep cold items the night before – leave only final touches for the day of – and toss slow-cooked braises in the oven early to ‘set and forget.'” Reedholm also recommends enhancing dishes by cooking with beverages such as Beaujolais for red meats or dark beers in gravies.
Gizzy Rawlins, Executive Chef at Ela in Virginia-Highland, advises preparing ingredients ahead of time: “Marinate, blanch, chop, and make sauces ahead of time. Label everything, store in Ziplock bags and delegate sides to guests. This keeps the kitchen calm and allows you to enjoy the celebration.”
Mark Jeffers, Culinary Director of Fifth Group Restaurants, highlights efficient turkey preparation: “Spatchcock your turkey,” he says. This method involves removing the backbone and flattening the bird for even cooking and crispy skin while saving oven space. For gravy preparation, Jeffers recommends using pan drippings: “Use the browned bits left in the pan (known as fond), deglazing with wine or stock, straining, and finishing with cold butter to get a rich, silky gravy.”
Suzanne Barr from South City Kitchen encourages making food preparation enjoyable: “Baking cookies or assembling desserts with friends and family… Music, laughter and hands-on prep keep the kitchen relaxed and make the holidays feel special.”
For those who prefer dining out or want to reduce their workload on Christmas Eve, several Atlanta restaurants will be open. Fifth Group’s restaurants—including South City Kitchen’s Buckhead, Midtown, Vinings locations; Ecco Buckhead; Ecco Midtown; La Tavola; Ela; and South City Kitchen Avalon—will offer special prix fixe menus or regular service on December 24.
Other options include Aria in Buckhead (open 4:30–8 p.m.), Omakase Table offering a 20-course tasting menu sourced from Tokyo seafood ($295 per person), The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill featuring cioppino pasta specials from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., The Southern Gentleman serving brunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m., The Ashford on Dresden with regular service in Brookhaven, Cattle Shed Wine & Steak Bar in Alpharetta (last seating at 6:30 p.m.), and Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails offering a three-course prix fixe dinner from 2–8 p.m. ($85 per person).
Mary Mac’s Tea Room will not be open on Christmas Eve or Day but is providing Family Feasts To-Go that can be preordered online for home celebrations.
