Full Plates and Hearts: Our Chefs’ Recipes for a Thanksgiving of Flavor and Purpose

At 1 Hotels, Thanksgiving is more than just a time to feast—it’s an opportunity to gather with loved ones, uplift our local communities, reflect on traditions, and celebrate our intricate connection to nature. Nature is a precious source of nourishment, inspiration, and comfort, and our talented chefs have mastered traditions and techniques that capture its true essence.

To celebrate this gratitude-filled holiday, we sat down with Chef Chris Crary, Culinary Director at 1 Hotel Nashville, and Chef Daniel Palumbo, Executive Chef at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, to explore how they celebrate Thanksgiving in a sustainable, uplifting way.

From Thanksgiving meals that honor Hawaii’s rich culture to impactful meal donations in Music City, we hope their stories, recipes, and tips inspire you to gather with purpose this holiday season and beyond.  

Cooking Up Tradition with Chef Chris Crary, Culinary Director at 1 Hotel Nashville

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering and reflection. What’s one tradition that you and your loved ones look forward to every year?

Every Thanksgiving, our home transforms into a warm gathering place where family and friends come together to share a feast and create lasting memories. This tradition not only fills our hearts with gratitude but also strengthens our bonds as we welcome everyone with open arms.

With holiday meals often leading to excess, how do you plan your Thanksgiving menu to minimize waste while still keeping it abundant and festive?

With friends and family joining us, we usually end up with a bit of extra food. To reduce waste, we prepare take-home boxes for our guests to enjoy the next day. We also get creative with a next-day brunch—stuffing waffles, turkey hash with poached eggs, and even turkey Monte Cristos! My kids love coming up with fun, wacky ideas, and it’s always an adventure to see how they turn out.

At 1 Hotel Nashville, community is key. How are you and your team giving back this Thanksgiving season, and how do you inspire others to get involved?

Every year, we partner with Copia, an incredible resource for connecting surplus food with those who need it most. For every meal we prepare, we’re able to donate a meal to someone in need, fostering a spirit of giving that resonates throughout our team and inspires others to join in giving back this season.

Do you have a go-to Thanksgiving recipe that you can share?

My go-to Thanksgiving recipe is a classic stuffing.

Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing 

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of bread (about 1 pound), preferably day-old (white or sourdough), cubed
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3-4 stalks of celery, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
• 2-3 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped (or 1-2 tablespoons dried sage)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2-3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (adjust for desired moisture)
• 2 large eggs, beaten (optional, for binding)

Instructions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Bread: Spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, until slightly dry but not browned. Remove and let cool.
Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. If using garlic, add it in the last minute of cooking.
Add Herbs: Stir in the chopped sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute to release the herbs' aromas.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetables and herbs. If using, pour in the beaten eggs for added binding.
Add Broth: Gradually add the broth, mixing gently until the stuffing is moist but not soggy. Adjust the amount of broth based on your preference for moistness.
Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish (about 9x13 inches). Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp.
Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious stuffing!
Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite add-ins, like cooked sausage, dried cranberries, or nuts, if you like. 

Cooking Up Tradition with Chef Daniel Palumbo, Executive Chef at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

How does the Hawaiian landscape and culture influence the way you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving in Hawai‘i, and especially on Kaua‘i, takes on a unique depth due to the island’s landscape and rich cultural heritage. This holiday feels enriched by Kaua‘i's profound sense of place, the spirit of community, and the season of Makahiki. Values like Aloha, ‘Ohana, Ho‘okipa, and Ho‘okupu define the island and harmonize with the meaning of Thanksgiving.

What local ingredients from Kauaʻi do you incorporate into your Thanksgiving dishes that bring a unique island flair to the table?

We feature as many local ingredients from our farmers as possible, like carrots, arugula, mushrooms, lemons, heart of palm, ahi, marlin, kampachi, shrimp, squash, sweet potatoes, and goat cheese. These ingredients add fresh island flavors to our Thanksgiving menu this year. 

What’s a signature Thanksgiving dish you love to make that embodies the flavors of Hawaii? Could you share the recipe?

Local Moloka‘i sweet potatoes are especially outstanding, lending themselves perfectly to a traditional yet Hawaiian-inspired candied sweet potato dish. With a touch of Hawaiian flair, they’re paired with liliko‘i marshmallows to create a memorable holiday dish that reflects Kaua‘i’s unique bounty.

Candied Molokai Sweet Potatoes with Lilikoʻi Marshmallows

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Molokai sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup fresh lilikoʻi juice (passion fruit juice)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cup lilikoʻi-flavored marshmallows (or regular marshmallows if unavailable)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Place the cubed Molokai sweet potatoes in a large baking dish.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, lilikoʻi juice, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well mixed.
Coat the Potatoes: Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes, stirring to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize.
Add Marshmallows: Scatter the lilikoʻi marshmallows over the top of the sweet potatoes. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the marshmallows are golden and melty.
Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the unique flavor of these Hawaiian-inspired candied sweet potatoes