The Latest Holiday Dinner Hosting Trend: Outsourcing To The Professionals

There’s a whole lot of reasons to host big family meals this time of year, as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and so many other major occasions are within a few weeks of each other and all demand dining and cooking large-scale, with a whole lot of shopping, prepping, and planning to go with it. As families are busier than ever, and the universe around us is showing us just how fragile and fleeting life and time together can be, an increasingly popular trend is outsourcing this holiday task and leaving holiday hosting to the professionals.

Hiring private chefs for the holidays is becoming increasingly popular, according to Matt Migliore, a Queens-based chef and founder of the Chef Matt Experience,a complete private chef experience. “With busy schedules and countless commitments leading up to the season, many people find it more convenient to rely on drop-off services or in-person dinners,” said Migliore.

Anyone who ever hosted a large family dinner for the holidays knows that as much as they love bringing all their friends and family together to share a meal, it’s not without stress. “Cooking for larger groups often means managing preferences, dietary restrictions, and allergies, which can quickly overwhelm a host. Bringing in a chef not only alleviates that stress but also allows everyone to focus on what matters most—spending quality time together without the hassle,” said Migliore.

“How many years I have watched my aunt and uncle cook in the kitchen and not wanting any help from anyone!” agrees Andrea Reno, cake artist and co-owner of Pistores in Chicago, who recalls that and as much as they wanted to be in the kitchen there wasn’t space or enough chairs. “It just caused them to spend all their time in there while everyone else was in the living room. By the time they were done they would be tired and barely talking…then dishes and a little chat….then goodbyes,” said Reno.

One way to avoid this is by letting someone else cook for you. “Life is too fast nowadays and we never get to see each other except for this one day we all make a bigger effort to be present. Spend it together, really together and not working,” said Reno.

There’s lots of ways to go about this. For example, Executive Chef Ann Kim from the Garden & Gun Club is offering take-home Thanksgiving boxes. Each box is full of everything from the turkey, sides and a whole pie and Chef Philippe Massoud of ilili restaurant ships a complete Thanksgiving meal via Goldbelly. Pechanga Resort in Temecula also does a complete holiday-to-go package, with a package that includes everything from Pumpkin Bisque Soup and Harvest Fall Salad to Santa Maria Rubbed Roasted Turkey with cornbread & sausage stuffing and giblet gravy.

Many hotels and restaurants offer options such as this, but there’s also choices ranging from a reheat and serve Cajun Turkey from Popeyes to a recipe kit meal kit in a box from various online spots, such as HelloFresh, who is again offering their annual Thanksgiving offerings, like Roast Turkey with Garlic Herb Butter, Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Cinnamon, Classic Gravy with Fresh Herbs or Turkey Cutlets with Garlic-Sage Gravy plus Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Candied Pecans & Brussels Sprouts and Purple Carrot, who offers a “Plantsgiving” menu – a fully plant-based twist on Thanksgiving.

Rodger Bowser, Chef and Managing Partner at Zingerman’s Delicatessen agrees there’s no reason to be stressed out on a holiday. “If cooking a whole bird, or any component of the meal isn’t in your comfort zone, then don’t do it! Some of your local food establishments will have holiday menus with everything from turkey, sides to desserts and would be very grateful for the business!” said Bowser. “Let them take care of some or all of the meal for you so you can have a relaxing day.”

Still, outsourcing to a professional is the way increasing numbers of families are choosing to go.

Lisa Richards, a busy NYC-based mom who owns several companies, is very familiar with this desire to make the holidays special but with not enough time to pull it all together in the way she wants without sacrificing time with her loved ones. “My girls, my husband and I are all traveling separately the two weeks before Thanksgiving and the only place we can figure out where to meet is back home in NYC,” said Richards, who will be outsourcing both her holiday dinners this year.

“After being away, we aren’t able to travel to see the rest of our family who are usually hosting for the holiday so for the first time I decided to have Thanksgiving at home. I quickly realized with work (holidays are the busiest season!) that I don’t have the time or bandwidth to make the perfect Thanksgiving,” said Richards.

Of course, there’s more to making a holiday dinner special than food and menus. Some families are also hiring event planners to help with setting the theme, mood, and decorations. Cameron Forbes, Founder of Forbes Functions, a boutique NYC-based event planning company, has seen a surge in interest for the private holiday dinner party for several years now. “Outsourcing holiday dinners is becoming more common this year, a trend I’ve personally seen since COVID-19. I see this trend for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and even New Year’s gatherings,” said Forbes. “Not only has the ease of finding local event planners, private chefs, and caterers grown, but the pace of life has quickened for so many. More than ever, people are leaning on professionals to help create memorable experiences without the stress.” For these people, it’s not just about convenience; it’s about prioritizing quality time with loved ones over spending hours in the kitchen. “There’s a growing awareness that outsourcing doesn’t mean sacrificing tradition—it can actually elevate it,” said Forbes, who in her company will handle everything from menu planning to hiring a chef or caterer, to tasks such as selecting a florist and setting tablescape and sourcing rentals. “Some clients want us to coordinate all event elements completely, while others need help with creative, festive touches, like decor and design for a private dining room. We aim to meet each client’s needs, whether a cozy dinner for family at home or a lavish holiday party at a swanky new spot,” said Forbes.

It’s Cameron Forbes’ belief that outsourcing allows people to focus on what really matters—spending time with family and friends, just enjoying the moment. “While the old-school way can be rewarding, it’s often exhausting. For many, the holidays are already stressful, and cooking, cleaning, and setting up all day or week can take away from the experience. Plus, outsourcing provides access to experts who can add a level of polish and creativity that might be hard to achieve on your own. It’s the ultimate way to balance tradition with modern efficiency and guarantee you can sit back and enjoy the evening rather than spend the night scrambling,” said Forbes.

For holiday dinners, Migliore begins with a phone call to learn about the client’s holiday food traditions and preferences. “This allows me to create a customized menu and pricing tailored to their needs and budget,” he said.

While some may hesitate to reach out, assuming the service is expensive, Migliore tries to offer options that work for a range of budgets. For example: “Drop-off service is a more affordable choice. This November, I even ran a Friendsgiving special to make hosting easier and more accessible. While I can’t speak for all private chefs, my goal is always to provide reasonable pricing and an exceptional menu, whether for intimate dinners or larger groups,” said Migliore.

“I wanted Thanksgiving dinner to feel like home,” shared Richards, who shared her own family’s menu for Thanksgiving dinner, which includes classics such as turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and an array of desserts — all elevated thanks to the chef’s touch.

“I would recommend it – it was so easy and fun! I am so excited to see the entire dinner come together and enjoy a traditional holiday at home without having to handle all the cooking and shopping,” said Richards, who decided to repeat this for Christmas dinner too, this year.

“My top recommendation is to do your research—always source a reputable chef so you know you’re getting food made with quality ingredients,” said Richards.

“I would you say hiring a private chef is less expensive than people may think,” said Richards, who believes our most valuable currency is time, and for her, “having more quality time to spend with my family, especially while the girls are out of school, is most important to me.”

Migliore’s advice when hiring a private chef for the holiday is to ensure the chef offers the option to connect directly via phone or text and to check their website for food photos. “It’s a great way to assess quality, even if the dishes differ from what you’re going to get for your specific event,” said Migliore.

It’s also important to get all the administrative business out of the way straight away. “Confirm clarity with contracts and invoices to avoid miscommunications, such as last-minute cancellations,” said Migliore. “Be upfront about your budget to ensure a seamless experience for both you and the chef. A chef should be able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies as long as they are communicated in advance.”

Cameron Forbes advises starting the process by communicating your vision clearly. “Share any family traditions, dietary restrictions, or must-have dishes with your planner, chef, or caterer upfront,” said Forbes, and plan early: “The most talented vendors book quickly during the holiday season; reach out at least 2-3 months in advance to guarantee the best availability and pricing,” said Forbes.

From that point, it’s time to set a budget. “Outsourcing can be tailored to fit different budgets. Make sure you work with a planner, chef, or caterer who understands your specific needs,” said Forbes. From that point, you can add your best personal touches: Items like a signature cocktail or custom-printed menus and place cards are great ways to elevate your event and make it feel uniquely yours. Cameron Forbes even collaborated with RPZL this season to create luxurious velvet bow napkin rings, to add an extra touch of opulence to the holiday dining experience.

But don’t wait until the last minute: “This will limit your options regarding vendor pricing and availability,” said Forbes, and never overlook logistics: If you’re using your own kitchen, make sure you and your planner, chef, or caterer discuss having the appropriate serving space or heating equipment. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make changes along the way! This is your holiday, and it should feel like it,” said Forbes, who says ultimately, when done right, outsourcing can transform your holiday dinner into a stress-free, magical experience.

And make sure to be realistic about your budget during this tough time of year. For example, to make it more cost effective, Richards says one option is to ask for home delivery versus having a chef cook in your home. Or, when it comes to tablescapes, there’s always different pricing levels.

No matter which route you take this holiday season, cooking or ordering in or hiring a chef, it’s all about making it an experience true to you and your traditions — it’s a personal celebration, after all!