One of the joys of December is the annual office holiday party. It is time to relax with the people you work so hard with all year and raise a glass to the New Year.
But what if there is no office? What happens with colleagues who work together by phone or email? What is the holiday celebration for the millions of people who work from home, freelance or have their own small business? So many of us are part of the “gig” economy yet are very fond of those we work with every day and would love to share a celebration.
The answer? Throw your own holiday gathering.
Sure, there is not a big ballroom or elegant restaurant. No open bar (though maybe that is a good thing!) or fancy dress, but that doesn’t mean that the holidays are not a time to sit down with colleagues and reconnect in real life.
We are incredibly lucky that one of those people for Grown and Flown is Katie Workman, well-known cook and author. We met Katie…sit down for a minute, this story is worth telling…in the middle of an emergency landing. We had all been at the same conference but met as we took seats on the plane next to each other.
This was a moment you never want to experience, but when the pilot says we are going down, and the plane descends at an angle that would make you queasy, it is great to be sitting next to a new friend you met 20 minutes earlier as you loaded the overhead bins. So instead of traveling from Chicago to New York, we found ourselves in Cleveland with our new BFF and soon to be lifelong friend and colleague.
So, when you want to throw a holiday luncheon, an office party for friends who don’t have an office, and the person you want to do that with happens to be an amazing chef and cookbook writer, well all you can do is schedule the date and just show up.
On an icy winter day Katie, and her husband Gary, welcomed us into their home with a gorgeous table and an amazing menu. Here is what greeted us when we arrived at their New York City apartment.
So while we ate, and Cooper begged for scraps (of filet!!) Kate told us about her amazing meal. Here is a menu of some of the items she prepared, and a look at the incredible holiday lunch she created.
Roasted Butternut Squash and Fennel Soup
Marinated Petit Filets with Easiest Herb Dip Ever
Brussels Sprouts, Apple and Pomegranate Slaw
Herbed Salmon over a Soft Green Herby Salad
A long leisurely lunch with colleagues is a real year-end treat. All year long everyone seems to work so hard and it’s difficult to find the time to celebrate with work friends. We can’t tell you how rewarding it is to just slow it down for the holidays and enjoy each other’s company. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season with friends and family.
