Food and Drink

Charlotte’s culinary all stars share Thanksgiving traditions — and we’ve got recipes

Craig Barbour, executive chef and owner of Roots Catering + Cafe, recommends a warm spice old fashioned at Thanksgiving.
Level up your foodie skills with these recommendations from chefs, mixologists and restaurateurs

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Thanksgiving traditions from Charlotte chefs

Dive into the traditions, wine recommendations and recipes from the kitchens of Charlotte’s culinary all-stars


Editor’s note: This story originally published in 2019. A global pandemic has made 2020 look quite different. Dinners around the Thanksgiving table will be smaller, because of COVID-19. Family members will host virtual gatherings. But one thing that won’t change is our need to be together, even if it’s through a screen or from 6 feet apart.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and menu planning has commenced for many.

Friends will celebrate the holiday with potluck Friendsgiving celebrations.

Some families will cook together and share a meal around the table using grandma’s china.

Other families will avoid cooking and order takeout from local restaurants, allowing chefs to create the perfect holiday meal.

Since menu planning is such a big part of Thanksgiving, we asked local Charlotteans in the food and beverage industry about their traditions, recommendations and recipes for celebrating.

Maybe these will inspire you to bring something different this year to your festivities.

Traditions

Some of Charlotte’s culinary favorites give us a glimpse into their Thanksgiving traditions. Come along with us to the tables of:

Wine recommendations

Wondering which wines to have on hand for the meal? Check out recommendations from Charlotte wine experts Jaffer Kovic, owner of Dilworth Tasting Room, and Natalie Stewart, sommelier at Fin & Fino.

Recipes

Yes, we’ve seen the memes: “Just get to the recipe, Lisa.” From a warm spiced old fashioned to a bone-in rib roast, here are recipes and tips from:

This story was originally published November 23, 2019 at 1:39 PM.

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Thanksgiving traditions from Charlotte chefs

Dive into the traditions, wine recommendations and recipes from the kitchens of Charlotte’s culinary all-stars