Thanksgiving dinner might just be the most complicated meal to prepare and serve, especially if you invited 20 people who will be expecting a big traditional meal. That's one big turkey to fit in the oven.
Gourmet caterers can take the pressure off with their Thanksgiving-to-go packages: everything from the roasted bird to the pumpkin pie. So why not relax this year, enjoy the company around the table and give your local caterer a chance to impress your guests?
Christopher Dutka of Christopher's Kitchen in Marlboro offers complete dinner packages that range from $159 for four to six people to $379 for 14 to 16 people. He also offers lots of optional soups, side dishes and desserts. Orders must be received by Nov. 20.
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"Last year we made 50 turkeys. It was pretty crazy," he said, noting that he and his staff cooked for four consecutive days.
Dutka said it's easy for inexperienced cooks to get overwhelmed at the prospect of preparing a holiday meal.
"We take the stress away and let you spend more time with your family, which is what it's all about," Dutka said.
His signature side dish is a sweet potato praline casserole, although roasted butternut squash with cranberries, baby spinach and pumpkin seeds also is a big seller.
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Drew Gabbe of Fruited Plains Caterers in Parsippany said he has taken several hundred orders for Thanksgiving items over the past 11 years. That figure includes 40 to 60 turkey requests.
Some people want the whole meal, others just want the turkey and still others just want a few sides or pies, he said.
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One of Gabbe's most popular items is the roasted turkey breast. "It's a perfect fill in for people who run out of white meat or for people who don't want the whole carcass," he said.
Other popular items are the spinach and Gruyere cheese gratin and the roasted root vegetables. Pies, such as the chocolate pecan, apple and pumpkin, are big sellers for folks who are traveling and don't want to arrive empty handed.
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Gabbe, who runs the cafe and catering business with his wife, Rosemary, said delivery and pick up is available on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and delivery only on Thanksgiving.
Anthony Reis of Food Architects in Piscataway often talks his clients out of ordering a fully cooked turkey. He prefers to prep the bird, season it, put it in the roasting pan and hand it to the clients with cooking instructions. Many of his other items also are uncooked or undercooked so the product is finished with the final heating.
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He also sells many nontraditional entrees, such as asiago and sausage stuffed pork loin, for clients who want another protein dish to go alongside the turkey.
Some of his signature items are the strudel-topped sweet potatoes, green beans with roasted shallot butter, and whipped potatoes with lots of cream and butter.
"That's what Thanksgiving is to us," he said.
Reis said he sources his breads and desserts from high-end bakeries in Manhattan to complete the holiday meal.
"That way our clients get the true gourmet experience without doing any work or going to nine different places and standing on line," he said.
In the market
Supermarkets such as Kings, Wegmans and Whole Foods have Thanksgiving catering menus on their websites. Some even offer items for a vegan feast, as well as cooking tips and recipes for those who are willing to make part of the meal.
Rene Madara, corporate catering manager for Wegmans Food Markets, said her supermarkets offer fully cooked complete dinners that are ready to reheat. Online orders for all catering items require 48 hours notice.
"These dinners are very popular and quantity is limited," Madara said. "We recommend ordering as early as possible as the stores often sell out the week prior to Thanksgiving."
Wegmans also will have many entertaining trays available in stores to pick up. "However, if a customer would like something specific or to guarantee it will be available, they should call ahead, stop in to the catering department or order online," she added, noting that the full seasonal catalog can be viewed at wegmans.com.
Brooke Herman, marketing team leader for Whole Foods Market in Middletown, said orders can be placed at shop.wholefoodsmarket.com. Customers also can call their local store or visit the in-store holiday table to place an order.
The following caterers offer Thanksgiving packages
Christopher's Kitchen: 165 Amboy Road, Marlboro, 732-491-3399, www.cateringservicenj.com
Livioti's Old World Market: Town Square Center, 1077 Route 34, Aberdeen, 732-566-2500; Marlboro Plaza, 160 Route 9, Marlboro, 848-444-9600; www.livotisoldworldmarket.com
The Fruited Plain Cafe: 959 Route 46 E., Parsippany, 973-299-0199, www.thefruitedplain.com
The Food Architects: 1665 Stelton Road, Piscataway, 732-572-1110, www.thefoodarchitectsnj.com
Tuscany Italian Specialty Foods and Catering: 130A S. Main St., Marlboro, 732-308-1118; 285 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, 732-972-2500; 155 Texas Road, Old Bridge, 732-521-4500; www.tuscanycateringnj.com
