TIPS & TRICKS TO HOSTING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY PARTY

Union Square Hospitality Group Prepares You for the Holiday's

Food and drink are the main focal points of any gathering. At the New York Marriott Marquis, we turned to Union Square Hospitality Group, the organization behind the operations of all our restaurants and some of the most beloved dining establishments in the city. Here, they offer insight into effortless and elegant entertaining: which entails planning the menu, serving signature cocktails, and creating a warm and welcoming ambiance.

TIP 1: FEATURE DISHES THAT BRING COMFORT AND JOY.

For Bret Lunsford, Executive Chef of Blue Smoke Dish, the holidays are a time to evoke and create fond memories around food. He says, “It’s not Thanksgiving for my family without a pan of cornbread dressing (stuffing if you are not from the South). I will always remember my granny on Thanksgiving morning, pulling the cornbread out of the oven wearing her cotton housedress with curlers in her hair and house slippers on her feet. It always made the room smell like Thanksgiving. It was always the perfect side and just as good the next day!”

TIP 2: BE STRATEGIC IN THE KITCHEN.

Union Square Café Executive Chef Lena Ciardullo recommends that hosts can make it easier for themselves with smart planning and shortcuts. When it comes to turkey, she says, “Do not bother with a wet brine. Seasoning larger pieces of meat ahead of time is important but handling a brine in a home fridge is a pain. Instead, season any large proteins (pork, whole chicken, turkey breasts) six hours to a night before cooking them, depending on their size.” “I usually use salt, a bit of granulated sugar, or brown sugar to mimic a wet brine, black pepper, and other seasonings that might work well with the final dish I am making. Be sure to store in your fridge in a gallon Ziploc bag or even a trash bag to avoid mess.