Ah, Thanksgiving. Is there any other meal during the year so freighted with expectations and so fraught with potential pitfalls? Nope. Not even close. Think unruly children, extended day drinking, ...

Over the past 30 years, I've cooked more Thanksgiving feasts than I can count, both as a home cook and as a working chef. I've flambéed, brined and dry-rubbed the turkey. I've cooked for 50 and I've ...