We traversed the five boroughs to identify the City Council's top Thanksgiving chefs, learning much about their families and their favorite dishes for the big meal in the process. The result is our third annual collection of Thanksgiving recipes, showcasing the diverse cultures and flavors of our great city. It’s a Thanksgiving feast fit for the Big Apple!
The Fontas Advisors team wishes you and your family a happy, healthy, and hearty Thanksgiving and holiday season. We are grateful for your friendship. Now, let’s eat!
Erik Bottcher: Grandma Bottcher’s Breakfast Souffle
District 3: Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Greenwich Village, West SoHo, Hudson Square, Times Square, Garment District, Flatiron, Upper West Side
My grandmother made this recipe for our family breakfast every Thanksgiving until she was 101 years old. We still make it every holiday and, while it doesn't taste the same as when my grandma made it, it's still delicious and the best way to start your Thanksgiving morning.
GET THE RECIPE →
Amanda Farías: Mama’s Arroz con Dulce
District 18: Soundview, Castle Hill, Parkchester, Clason Point, Harding Park
This is my family’s favorite dessert recipe, passed down from my grandmother. The aroma that fills the house while making it brings back a lot of joyous holiday memories with my grandparents and family. My grandparents’ house was the center of our family gatherings. My brothers and I are super lucky because my mother perfected all of my grandma’s recipes and she makes arroz con dulce and all of our other favorites. So, we get to enjoy the exact same dishes every holiday!
GET THE RECIPE →
Shahana Hanif: Bangladeshi Turkey Curry
District 39: Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront, Gowanus, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington
Growing up, Hot Bagel and Magic delis in Kensington were a childhood lifeline for me and my two sisters for the perfect cold cut turkey sandwich on a roll. That was really the only way we would eat turkey as we never had the traditional Thanksgiving roast turkey. At our home, when my parents decided to partake in the turkey festivities, my father immersed the turkey in familiar, spicy Bangladeshi flavors. My sisters and I would cook traditional American sides like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese to pair with this Bangladeshi bird. Our Bangladeshi-fusion feast has become a tradition and I can’t imagine getting through November without Bangladeshi turkey curry. It pairs well with plain Basmati rice or buttery Bangladeshi pulao, accompanied with a raw green chili pepper. Here’s my sister Sabia’s recipe.
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Kamillah Hanks: Baked Macaroni and Cheese
District 49: Arlington, Clifton, Clove Lakes, Concord, Elm Park, Graniteville, Livingston, Mariners Harbor, New Brighton, Port Richmond, Randall Manor, Rosebank, St. George, Snug Harbor, Silver Lake, Stapleton, Sunnyside, West Brighton and Tompkinsville
Every culture has dishes that define them; whether it's an Italian Sunday sauce, Spanish rice and beans, or a traditional Irish Shepherd's Pie. And everyone knows which household or family member made it the best. In my family, there was always a competition to see who made the best baked macaroni and cheese. Since my mom was never, ever considered a good cook (hope she doesn’t read this) I was determined to become an excellent cook. For years, growing up I always thought this dish was simple; elbow macaroni, milk and grated cheese. But it’s so much more…a good mac and cheese brings comfort, warmth, and memories of family.
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Shekar Krishnan: Idlis
District 25: Elmhurst, Jackson Heights
Idlis are one of the most iconic South Indian dishes! It is also one of my most favorite meals, and my kids love it too, begging their grandmother for it every time they visit my parents. Idlis are steamed semi-flat circles of a soft fluffy rice mixture that you can enjoy with a number of different dips such as ghee, chutneys, and sambhar, which is my favorite. Whether it's the childhood memories of eating my mom's idlis growing up or eating them at a street vendor stall on the side of the road while traveling through India in the early mornings with a piping hot cup of chai, it evokes so many memories for me of family, culture, and the warmth of comfort food. It also represents our community here in Jackson Heights and Queens, the heart of our South Asian communities and where you can find some of the best idlis in the country! In fact, as I write this, my 7-year-old son is sitting next to me and reading over my shoulder. He just asked, "can we have idlis for breakfast?"