You can plan ahead as much as you can for your Thanksgiving gathering, but there’s always bound to be some last-minute scrambling or anxiety. It could be as big as trying to triage the turkey (overcooked, undercooked, etc.) or as small as you forgot to iron the tablecloth. Whatever the problem, it can be super stressful in the moment.
So to help with down-to-the-wire complications, I tapped professional chefs for their best tips. They’re used to high-stress kitchen situations and serving big groups of people, so they definitely know what they’re doing, right?
Their answers don’t disappoint. From the best way to create a schedule to how to keep things warm, here are the best last-minute tips to know when hosting your big feast. Read ahead and say it with me, “Yes, chef!”
Thomas J. Story
1. Make a List and Schedule
Keep things organized by making lists and creating a schedule. Chef Daniel Ulrich of Mon Ami in Santa Monica, recommends making a shopping list before you go to the grocery store or buy kitchen essentials, like cookware and serving dishes
“Always make a to-do list with a set schedule. Making a plan always helps with time management,” says James Jung, executive chef at SET Steak…
