The holidays not only make my heart happy, but also my stomach. Nothing beats cooking a delicious meal with friends and family to enjoy the holidays. My friends at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table know this best.
Cedar + Stone, Urban Table, nestled on the first floor of JW Marriott, has a menu that offers refined, crafted dishes that incorporate Minnesota’s natural roots and local culture right in the ingredients.
I got the chance to chat about the holidays and seasonal dishes with Executive Sous-Chef Laura Bartholomew of Cedar + Stone, Urban Table. Here’s what she had to say!
Q: What do the holidays mean to you?
A: Growing up, family time usually included preparing meals together with my mom, dad and sister. This was especially true, as my sister and I got older, during the holidays. So the holidays always remind me of my family and cooking.
Q: What do you do for the holidays?
A: Now with me in Minnesota and my family back in New York, I actually really enjoy working during the holidays! I love being able to serve others during this special time. It’s also nice to give back time to my colleagues who do have family here.
Q: What advice would you give someone preparing a meal for the holidays?
A: Don’t over-complicate the menu. Keep it simple. Rather than doing 12 different dishes, make larger portions and stick to 5-6 really solid dishes.
Q: What is your favorite holiday dish?
A: Monkey bread. For as long as I can remember, there hasn’t been a holiday I’ve not had monkey bread on the table. To this day even, I make it for myself during the holidays!
If you’re looking for a new, delicious dining experience, make sure to visit Chef Laura at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table inside the JW Marriott. Stop by this holiday season and enjoy two special holiday-inspired menus:
- Christmas Day—an a la carte menu featuring four chef-crafted dishes with holiday twists.
- New Year’s Eve—an a la carte menu featuring five chef-crafted dishes all delightfully paired with champagne, hand-picked by restaurant Sommelier Peter Plaehn.
Happy eating, and happy holidays!