Turkey

Not all turkeys are created equal. Jake Dickson of Dickson's Farmstand Meats reminds you that just because the label states "fresh," the turkey may not be quite as fresh as you hoped.

There is a loop hole in the "fresh" meat business for turkey - a turkey can be kept brined and at 26 degrees and still sold as a "fresh" (never frozen) product in our country; and a turkey held between 0 and 26 degrees (which is a frozen turkey) and then thawed does not need to be labeled as previously frozen. That thanksgiving turkey you pick up at the local supermarket could be 6 months old!

Dickson's turkeys are raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics on an Amish farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. You can order right from Dickson's for $5 a pound.

Reserve your turkey from Dickson’s at: www.dicksonsfarmstand.com.

Wine

Chambers Street Wines specialize in natural, organic, and bio-dynamic wines from all over the world. So how do you pick the right wines for your Thanksgiving dinner?

Reds should be light to medium-bodied with pure fruit and good acidity, like a good Beaujolais.

Whites should be flavorful, with good acidity - built to stand up to the creamed onions and meaty stuffing. And why not try a good rose or a sparkling pear cider?

Order wine from: www.chambersstwines.com.

Cheese

American-focused cheese shop, Lucy’s Whey has set up shop in Chelsea Market, so we asked them for their recommendations to start and end your Thanksgiving meal.

Begin the evening with a traditional cheddar. Cabot Clothbound is balanced, buttery, and slightly nutty. It's made by Cabot Creamery and aged at the Cellars of Jasper Hill.

Finish your meal with voluptuous triple cream cheese Kunik. It is a white mold-ripened wheel made from goat's milk and jersey cow cream, similar to a brie with a lot of rich flavors. Serve with honey, jam and candied fruit.

Order cheese from: www.lucyswhey.com/shop

Dessert

Baked NYC makes delicious pies.

Apple Pie: chunks of apple, vanilla bean a splash of bourbon in a flaky pastry shell.

Pumpkin Pie: classic pumpkin pie with a whole wheat crust.

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie: gooey chocolate and pecans, dark chocolate and a taste of bourbon.

They're taking orders up until November 22 to be picked up on November 25th.

Order pies from www.bakedshop.com

Hostess Gifts

If you are visiting someone else for Thanksgiving, you still need to show up with a gift. These will certainly be appreciated.

Mari’s Brownies are delicious two-bite artisanal brownies that are beautifully packaged in a tangerine orange box with grosgrain ribbon.

la BOUTIQUE de la truffe specializes in truffles. They sell fresh truffles, truffle honey, carpaccio, oils and accessories like truffle slicers.

Al-Inclusive Take-Out

If you don't want the stress of cooking in, but still want to eat at home, you can order in from:

Momofuku Ssäm Bar: They're serving pig instead of turkey. The menu includes a whole slow roasted pork shoulder with napa kimchi and pork gravy; chestnut apple stuffing; cranberry relish; sweet potato gratin; green bean casserole; biscuits with honey butter; and rice pudding pie for $350, serves 8.

Email: events@momofuku.com.