Cover Todd English (Photo: Mozi Pictures LLC/Anderson Group PR)
Todd English (Photo: Mozi Pictures LLC/Anderson Group PR)
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The celebrated chef reveals what the season mean to him
Todd English kicked off his culinary career at the tender age of 15. He went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America with honours before becoming a household multi-hyphenate in the industry, winning accolades and highly-acclaimed titles such as the James Beard Award.
The American restaurateur, master chef, television host, and author finds himself busier than ever during the holidays. To spread the holiday cheer, Tatler speaks with English to find out what he loves to cook during the festive season and what a typical Christmas morning looks like at home.
What does the holiday season mean to you?
It’s a celebration of all the good things. That should really be the case for every holiday, right? At Halloween, you take out the candies and the fun, spooky stuff. At Thanksgiving, you give thanks for the good things that had happened. At Christmas, it’s like a culmination of all your joys that year—that’s why they call it the season of joy!
How do you usually celebrate the holidays?
I get busy around the holidays because I always love to celebrate with a lot of people, and I get really hands-on with the preparations. We have holiday events and put up holiday specials on our menus, and, of course, we encourage people to come spend their Christmas with us. After all that, I take off my chef’s hat and put on my best holiday suit—I always have a few prepared—and I meet with friends and family, and we just eat and drink together until the season is over.
Food, wine, and ...
… the right company! The meal you’re having is only as good as the people you have it with. Great memories are best made at the bar, or your favourite restaurant, or at the dinner table during Thanksgiving or Christmas with the family. You enjoy the food you eat and the wine you drink when you have good people to share them with.
Take us through your Christmas morning.
It’s simple, really. You don’t have to make too much of a fuss about it when you love the people you spend it with. We start by having some eggnog and hot chocolate, made by yours truly. Sometimes, the kids help. Then we open the presents, and we just sit around and talk about anything under the sun. It’s pretty average but the domesticity of it all is heartwarming, perfect for a cold Christmas morning.
See also: Tatler's Christmas Gift Guide 2022: The best food gifts to buy
Above Todd English's butternut squash tortellini
Todd English's butternut squash tortellini
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What is a quintessential holiday recipe?
This butternut squash tortellini from The Pepper Club at The English Hotel in Las Vegas.
First, make the traditional egg dough with 700g of all-purpose flour, three eggs, four egg yolks, and two ounces of water. Then, make the filling with five butternut squash, one acorn, eight ounces of mascarpone, six ounces of Grana Padano cheese, four ounces of sugar-free whipped cream, three ounces of amaretti cookies, a dash of nutmeg, and salt and pepper.
Fill the rolled out dough with the butternut squash and then cut them out by shape. Cook the pasta in a water bath before tossing them into a hot pan with brown butter and sage.
Above The Rudolph Mule cocktail
The Rudolph Mule cocktail
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What is a quintessential holiday cocktail recipe that you love to make?
The Rudolph Mule. All you need is two ounces of bourbon, half an ounce of cranberry juice, half an ounce of orange juice, and some ginger beer.
You combine the whiskey, cranberry juice and orange juice in a shaker tin, and shake it well. Rim your glass with some cinnamon sugar before pouring the drink and topping it off with some ginger beer. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and you're all set.
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Credits
Images: Anderson Group PR
Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
