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The Delegator

Don't be afraid to ask for help before things get crazy in the kitchen. The following list will enable you to delegate a few key tasks in the final and most busy hour. Just print this out and give each helper their list of things to do.

* Bonus Incentive: Anyone who is a "helper" can sign up on Rouxbe after Thanksgiving and receive a 90-day trial, courtesy of MetroKitchen.com. Simply send your helpers a quick thank you note after Thanksgiving along with this link: http://thankyou.rouxbe.com and MetroKitchen will pay the subscription for them.

Helper #1 - Bartender Extraordinaire & "Hot Gravy and Plates" Person

You will have three important jobs.

  1. You are in charge of pouring the wine, if any, and ensuring that the glasses are polished and ready.
  2. You will also have the highly important job of ensuring the gravy is piping hot the minute it hits everyone's plate. So, in the final minutes, bring the gravy back to a light simmer, while stirring. Pour into a couple of gravy containers for passing around the table. You might even have to slip away at some point during dinner, to ensure the gravy is re-heated for those who go for seconds.
  3. Once all of the food is out of the oven, turn off the heat. Place the dinner plates into the oven to warm them up slightly. Leave the door open a crack to let out some of the heat. You will only need to have the plates in there for a few minutes, as the oven will still be quite hot.
Helper #2 - Side Master

You will be jumping in during the final minutes to help the chef platter and bowl all of the sides.

  1. Transfer the Brussels sprouts and stuffing to the table.
  2. Remove the yams from the oven and place into a dish.
  3. Stir the mashed potatoes and transfer from the hot pot to a warm serving bowl.
  4. Check to make sure the cranberry sauce is on the table.

Important notes:

  1. Make sure everything is hot. You can put things in the microwave at the last minute, if needed.
  2. Communication with the chef is key as everything needs to be done synchronously. Think Gordon Ramsay and start yelling (just kidding).
  3. Just before dinner is ready to be served, take the cheesecake and/or pumpkin pie out of the fridge, so it comes up to room temperature.
Helper #3 - Director of the "Dish Pit"

Okay, not the most glamorous job, but one of the most important jobs during the final hour of cooking / plating.

Without your help, dishes can easily pile to the ceiling, so your help keeps things sane and organized in the kitchen. It also helps make the after dinner cleanup much easier to manage.

Bonus: The pre-dinner "Director of the Dish Pit" gets a pass on the after dinner cleanup, if guests around the dinner table think you did a good job during the pre-meal cleanup. The group can take a vote.

If all goes well, you'll be able to sit back with your feet up, and enjoy a second piece of pumpkin pie.

So, grab your apron and jump in...and feel free to ask someone to help you.