How to host a festive dinner when you can’t cook

I’m a terrible cook. There, I said it. After all those years of training in my mum’s kitchen, she’d be disgraced to know that I haven’t picked up any skills. I’m good with appetizers though. A cheese board, charcuterie, olives, chips and dips. Lots of wine. I usually hope everyones filled up nicely and not too hungry for mains. If so, you’ll see me quickly reaching for the takeaway menus drawer.

So this festive season, I’m taking no chances and if you’re like me, neither should you. Last night, I hosted a fabulous Christmas dinner at home without setting foot in the kitchen, all courtesy of the Grand Hyatt Dubai. No stress. All I had to do was set the table, stock up on wine, download a Christmas carols playlist to last a hundred hours, and light candles around the house.

If you’re looking to serve a five-star dinner at home, these guys have you covered. The Grand Hyatt is offering the ultimate feast which we were very lucky to have tried.

This 9kg whole roasted turkey, good for at least 12 people, was perfectly cooked and made a beautiful centerpiece for the dinner table. It came with a choice of 6 sides, we went with the following options:

Green beans with shallots, garlic and thyme, Pan-fried bread and chestnut sage roll, and Braised red cabbage with glazed chestnuts

Cauliflower with egg and bread crumbs, and Oven roasted honey pumpkin

Other sides include: Potato gratin, Roasted baby potato with onion and rosemary, Mashed potato, Spaetzli, and Brussels sprouts.

You can pick 4 accompanying sauces: Black pepper sauce, Apple-sage jus, Red wine sauce, Wild mushroom cream sauce, Horse radish, Assorted mustard portion, and Cranberry sauce.

Isn’t that just the most beautiful spread? 

If turkey isn’t your bird of choice, they also do a traditional roasted goose, or better yet, black angus oven roasted rib eye. Take away menus are available from December 24 – January 1, 2016 but you need to book 48 hours in advance.

This was definitely the most stress-free dinner ever. If you’re looking to make your life just that much easier, we highly recommend this option!

DETAILS-

Small 5kg (AED 850) or large 9kg (AED 1,000) stuffed turkey, with six sides and four sauces. For more information, call 04 317 2222. More here.

DISCLOSURE- Thanks to the Grand Hyatt for organising this feast!