As the end of the year approaches, few people will be able to avoid the frantic pace of the holiday season and the endless tasks to be completed before the new year arrives.
Feeding holiday visitors remains a daunting task for some, and those looking to lighten their load may be pleasantly surprised by how much easier life can be by letting someone else do the cooking. A variety of franchise restaurants and local food stores throughout the Chicago area stand ready to lend a hand.
Boston Market, once the purveyor of primarily roasted chicken, has developed a menu that includes honey-glazed hams and rotisserie turkey breasts, as well as their famous chicken and an array of side dishes. Communications manager Alyson Kim said orders for holiday meals rose more than 20 percent last season, and more growth is expected this year.
“A lot of people tell us they’d rather spend time with their family and work on getting the house in order than spend a lot of hours in the kitchen,” Kim said. “Given the cost per person of the fully cooked meal we offer, it’s a great alternative if you’ve got other things to do.”
Click on www.bostonmarket.com and then the “Holiday” button. There, you’ll find a listing for four family banquet meals, beginning with the Petite Banquet, which serves six people for $34.99. It includes a turkey breast or three pounds of ham, three extra-large side dishes and cornbread. Other options include the Classic Banquet for 12 ($67.99), the Variety Banquet for 18 ($99.99), and the Grand Banquet for 24 ($129.99).
Kim said that Boston Market also offers pumpkin, pecan or apple pies, with prices ranging from $6.99 to $8.99. A restaurant-location button on the Web site will direct you to the Boston Market nearest you, or call 800-365-7000. There are 730 Boston Markets nationwide that will be open Thanksgiving Day.
Since ham and turkey are traditional holiday favorites, the eight Honeybaked Ham Co. stores located throughout Chicagoland would be an option for anything from snack trays to their ham, turkey or combination buffets.
The Ohio-based company offers a catalog of complete meals that can be delivered to your home by calling 800-892-HAMS (4267). A Bountiful Turkey Buffet that serves 12 is priced at $131.95 for standard delivery or $149.95 for faster shipping. It includes 21/2 pounds each of smoked and roasted turkey breast, more than 4 pounds of au gratin potatoes, broccoli rice casserole, white and rye breads and two desserts. A Bountiful Ham buffet is available for the same price.
New this year at Honeybaked is a rack of pork loin, with prices starting at $55.95. You can also order a Classic Combo, featuring a 7, 8 or 10-pound ham, and pair it with a smoked or roasted turkey breast. Prices start at $78.95.
Local Honeybaked stores offer half and whole hams that serve 16 to 28 people as well as party and snack trays starting at $25. For afternoon snacking, a large meat-and-cheese tray that serves 24 costs $102, or barely more than $4 per person Throughout the past few years, Jewel and Dominick’s stores have worked hard to offer snack and party trays, sandwiches and full course meals that rival anything homemade.
Pat Stenberg, manager of customer relations for Dominick’s, says services that are available should help customers concentrate on other aspects of the holiday.
“We offer some nice additions to meals with party trays, so people can focus on other things like the main meal and not worry about appetizers,” Stenberg said. “But for those people who want to spend more time doing other things, they can buy a complete meal that only needs reheating. We have a complete turkey dinner that feeds eight to 10 for $59.99. “
Dominick’s Party Planner for the Millennium booklet is available at local stores and features everything from fruit and vegetable trays to floral arrangements and a special Kids Corner with make-your-own pizzas and party entertainment. Complete dinner options featuring ham or turkey that feed up to 10 people are $59.99 each and include meat, vegetable casserole, sweet potatoes, a dozen rolls and your choice of two desserts.
Entree-only options include vegetable or Italian-style lasagna, mostaccioli, roast beef and gravy, Italian sausage and peppers, or a chicken tetrazzini casserole. All choices serve from eight to 12 people with prices ranging from $16.99 to $29.99. Stenberg says three days’ lead time is necessary for dinners, with same-day service on snack and deli trays.
You can reach a party planner at 800-894-2100.
Jewel Food stores offer the Party Planner Handbook, a 40-page guide to appetizers, breads, heat-and-serve hors d’oeuvres, pasta dishes and custom-order market meats. You can also call 800-539-3561 and order a deluxe turkey or ham dinner that will serve as few as six people or as many as 18. Prices start at $39.99 for a turkey dinner that includes cran-apple salad, stuffing, rolls and gravy. For $20 more, you can add a green bean casserole, glazed sweet potatoes and a 24-ounce pie.
Jewel spokeswoman Karen Ramos said Jewel’s ready-made meals are perfect for those who are “time-starved during the holidays.”
“We know that people’s plans change quickly and we want to provide products that are healthy, convenient and delicious,” Ramos said. “Besides the Chef’s Kitchen items, all our stores carry rotisserie chicken, turkey breast and pork roasts, so people can pick up something quick if there are unexpected guests.”
For more convenience, Jewel customers can order online at www.jewelosco.com, where you can select all food items and dinners available, and arrange to pick them up. Ramos advises holiday customers to order as early as possible, allowing at least three days’ notice for dinners.
Those in charge of the Christmas office party this year might wish to call Brown’s Catering for chicken, sausage, glazed ham, mostaccioli or Italian beef.
“We feature all-inclusive buffets that provide not only all the food but the serving utensils, paper products, and we’ll even deliver everything and set it up for you,” said Jim Rohr, Brown’s director of advertising.
Brown’s Web site at www.brownscatering.com offers premier buffets starting at $6.99 per person for a pasta bar or Italian sandwich buffet to $13.99 for a baby back rib option. Depending on your choice, premier buffets also include salads, garlic bread, potatoes or other vegetables, and sauces.
Value Buffets that serve 25 or more start at just $3.59 per person and include chicken by itself or with a combination of either mostaccioli, Italian beef, Polish sausage and sauerkraut, or barbecue ribs.
Rohr says special pricing on combination packages that was offered last year will be available again this holiday season. Call 888-582-7700.
Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants also are ready to help with party problems by selling large quantities of chicken priced by the piece, as well as a range of side dishes, including mashed potatoes, cole slaw, barbecue beans, macaroni and cheese, corn and potato wedges.
“All of the side items sell for $1.87 per pound,” said Yaser Shaka, who manages a KFC store in Hanover Park. “Chicken prices are by the piece, and the more you buy, the cheaper the cost.”
Buy 25 to 50 pieces for a party, and you’ll pay 95 cents each. Up to 100 pieces, the price falls to 90 cents, and beyond 100 the price is 85 cents per piece. Orders can be placed directly thorough your neighborhood store, where you can also find a catering menu. Find the store nearest you by calling 888-633-3532.
