‘Tis the season to be jolly…but sometimes preparing a Christmas dinner at your own home can turn holly into hollerin’.

Having the right tools, all the correct ingredients, and some great recipes are all you need to take the urk out of turkey and make your fabulous home-cooked traditional seasonal meal one to remember. Food for Thought has put together a set of recipes that guarantee your success!

Wayne O’Connor, chef and owner of Food for Thought Catering, is an expert when it comes to putting together a magnificent feast in all manners of kitchen. He has cooked in private homes for clients and has catered for parties of over 200 from his central operation in Cayman Business Park, George Town. In the business since his early teens, Wayne is familiar with cuisine from many different countries, making it easy for Food for Thought to meet any client’s requests.

Wayne moved to Grand Cayman in 1993 where he joined the Marriott as a Sous Chef for five years, going on to Fidel Murphy’s, Triple Crown and finally Food for Thought – his own business, which grew so rapidly that he had to focus on it completely by 2004 due to demand.

With the new location and an ever-expanding kitchen, Food for Thought is garnering a solid reputation for quality service and food. One of Wayne’s biggest hopes is to encourage young Caymanians to enter the industry by apprenticing them in his kitchen. Erin Jackson, who only joined his staff about seven months ago, has already won gold in the recent Cayman Islands Culinary Competition for her mango meringue in the desserts category. Wayne has won multiple medals for traditional and contemporary dishes, and if he has his way, Caymanian students will find a passion for cooking and enjoy the same recognition.

All of the items in the menu below can be prepared the day before so you can enjoy Christmas dinner with guests that will think you have been slaving at the stove since 4 in the morning!

Food for Thought:  94-2433 www.foodforthought.ky