Stress-Free Thanksgiving Hosting Tips from O&B Chefs and Event Experts
Planning a Thanksgiving dinner can be joyful, but also overwhelming. From prepping the turkey to setting the table, hosting a holiday meal takes time, energy, and organization. To help you create a warm, welcoming, and stress-free celebration, we asked our chefs and events team to share their top Thanksgiving entertaining tips.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner for four or a festive feast for twenty, these expert insights will help you stay calm, cook smart, and enjoy every moment.
Turkey Tip: Harder to Prep, Easier to Serve
“Thanksgiving always involves turkey and stuffing for my family. My wife loves the whole bird for the photo, but I prefer to debone it, tie it, roast it, and butter-baste it. It cooks in a fraction of the time and is super easy to slice and serve.”– Chef Tony Trinh, Chef de Cuisine, O&B Catering
Bonus tip: Use the leftover bones to make a rich turkey stock and turn it into pho broth for a comforting post-Thanksgiving meal.
Hosting Hack: Let Guests Bring Dessert
“Focus on what you’re good at and delegate the rest. I’m not a baker, so I ask guests to bring their favourite pie. You can even turn dessert into a fun competition with a Thanksgiving Pie-Off. The winner gets to skip clean-up!”
– April Mainprize, Manager, Event Sales
Pie Wars: Why Choose Just One?
“If you do choose to make your own pie, there can be some fuss over which is best. Apple, pumpkin, and pecan are usually vying for the top spot, but why choose between three great desserts? They’re all delicious! I like to have a full table with lots of options… Apple pie, pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, blueberry pie, shepherd’s pie, pizza pie… you can’t go wrong. I am 100% team pie!” – Trenton Pajuluoma, Chef de Cuisine at Biff’s Bistro
Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips
“It’s always good to have backups for picky eaters. If Frank’s daughter only eats PB&J, I’ll make her one. That’s part of being a good host. Keep it simple and thoughtful. A few kid-approved options can make all the difference.”
– Natalie Stanbra, National Director, Event Sales
Celebrate Special Diets with Inclusive Dishes
“If you have guests with specific dietary requirements, you can always include a few salads that are exclusively plant-based, buy some plant-based dips, and serve braised beans or lentils. My husband is a pescatarian, so there is always fish or shellfish in our Thanksgiving spread. I love serving a family-style dinner and think there’s no better look than a full, generously set dinner table with lots of options for every guest.” – Navinder Saini, Chef de Cuisine, La Plume
Hosting Tip: Ask guests about dietary restrictions ahead of time. Pinterest is a great resource for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes.
Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Table Decor
“Fall is the perfect time to forage for decor. Birch branches, wildflowers, mini pumpkins, and gourds make beautiful centrepieces. Reuse your natural finds in wreaths or porch decor all season long.”
– Natalie Stanbra, National Director, Event Sales
Linen for The Win: Napkin Styling Tips
“Don’t underestimate the humble linen napkin. A simple knot or fold can transform your table. Try placing a knotted napkin above each plate with a sprig of foliage for a rustic touch.”
– April Mainprize, Manager, Event Sales
Hosting Etiquette Tip: Once everyone is seated, place your napkin in your lap to signal the meal is ready to begin.
Level Up Your Stuffing Game
“I’ve evolved my stuffing recipe over the years. I mix diced bread with turkey or chicken stock, eggs, fresh sage, cranberries, mirepoix, and chorizo sausage. Then I form a log, wrap it in bacon, roll it in foil, and roast it. After 40 minutes covered, unwrap and crisp the bacon. The result is a flavour-packed stuffing that holds its shape and steals the show.” – Chef Tony Trinh, Chef de Cuisine, O&B Catering
Think Leftovers: Schnitzel, Sandwiches & More
“One of my family’s traditions is making schnitzel instead of a big bird or some kind of roast. It’s something we adopted from an Austrian family member that we’ve really come to enjoy. Some years we do turkey schnitzel and other years veal, but ultimately it’s easy to prep ahead, and most importantly, it saves on stress. As a bonus, it takes almost no time to cook, is much less work than a full roast turkey, and leftovers are great for sandwiches the next day.” – Trenton Pajuluoma, Chef de Cuisine at Biff’s Bistro
Let O&B Do the Cooking
Want to skip the cooking altogether? The Gather by O&B Thanksgiving Feast (available October 10–12) comes fully cooked and ready to heat and serve. It includes roasted turkey, sourdough stuffing, whipped mashed potatoes, seasonal sides, and your choice of pumpkin cheesecake or deep-dish chocolate cake. Just order, heat, and enjoy!
No matter what your Thanksgiving long weekend looks like, we hope our tips can help you stay organized and carefree so you can spend less time stressing and more time making memories.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at O&B!
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