With fall coming to a close and the holidays hot on our heels, we’re sharing a few ideas for holiday entertaining from James Beard semifinalist Chef David Bancroft of Acre + Bow & Arrow in Auburn, AL. For this Southern chef, family means everything to David, and he sees the holidays as an opportunity to cherish his loved ones and carry on family recipes and traditions.
DAVID’S GO-TO TIPS:
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Entertaining
It’s all about prep! David encourages his family and friends to prep ahead of time so that day of is as peaceful and enjoyable as it should be. Whether its brining the turkey days in advance or stocking the fridge with family favorites, David is full of ideas on how to facilitate holiday meal prep with ease and fun.
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Beverages
Who says the beverage lineup has to be just cocktails? Every entertainer knows that a truly successful gathering has a variety of drink offerings to please all palates, and ages! Christmas reminds David of his Nana’s Spicy Tomato Cocktail, a non-alcoholic drink that his family serves in his grandmother’s beautiful antique glassware. As a child growing up, it always made him feel like one of the adults.
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Menu Lineup
When crafting holiday menus, David recommends focusing on heirloom recipes, passed down from family members as a great starting point. The holidays are a time for gathering and celebrating, and what better way to celebrate than with a dish from your grandmother’s handwritten recipe card.
Recipe: Nana’s Tomato Cocktail
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1 cup tomato juice
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1 teaspoon vinegar
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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Celery salt and salt to taste
Directions: Shake well, chill and enjoy! If wanting to make an alcoholic drink, add Vodka.