Celebrities share their messages of holiday gratitude, exclusive

As family and friends gather around the table, holiday gratitude is as plentiful as the food on the plate. Even if the celebrations can vary or the distance is farther than people prefer, a moment to appreciate the bounty in people’s lives should be shared.

Over the holiday season, FoodSided spoke to many chefs and celebrities. When we concluded our interviews, we asked them if they would be willing to share a holiday gratitude or reflection. Below is a collection of those sentiments.

Carla Hall

Every conversation with Carla Hall is full of moments of laughter and poignant words to contemplate. While some people might have made her holiday cookies or even tried their hand at her cornbread from her children’s book, Hall has a simple blessing that is meaningful for any gathering.

During the holidays, her family goes around the table and says, “bless me and nourish me in ways that I know and ways that I do not know, may it nourish my mind, body and spirit.” For Hall, she encourages people to think about the who is making the food and how they are making. While her mother offers a blessing for the hands that make the food, she believes that it is more than that.

Hall said believes, “food has energy. When we ingest it, we want it to be nurturing and healing for us.” Let the food on the table feed heart, body, mind and soul.

Michael Symon

While his wit and demeanor in the kitchen are welcoming, Michael Symon looks to his family traditions at the holiday, Symon said, “My grandfather would always say “listen with an open mind and an open heart,” and I try my best to live by it. He was a big believer that it is more important to be a good listener than to have a million opinions. It’s been a crazy couple of years, so I think the better that we can listen, open up our minds and hearts, and understand that everyone’s problems are different, life would be better.”

Padma Lakshmi

In her Hulu show, Taste the Nation, each episode is more than just another exploration of food and culture. While each story celebrates the community, it offers a bridge to connect people in ways that they might not have previously appreciated.

For Lakshmi, the sentiment was simple. She said, “I wish everyone gentle, restful peace.” With a hope that everyone can find a way to “heal our souls a little bit.” After such a long endeavor of the past several years, the “collective experience has been deep and profound,” but one that everyone can overcome.

Derek Hough

While he might command the stage, Derek Hough shared a thought that could be more of a resolution for a year ahead. His statement was simple, yet profound.

Hough encourages everyone to “stay curious.” From “not being judgmental” to “being invested in learning about each other,” that willingness to be curious about each other can help to bring people closer together.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

While some people might be watching one of his movies over the holidays, Freddie Prinze, Jr has a simple wish for everyone during the holiday season. Prinze said, “be grateful for the small things.” Specifically. he is “grateful to be on the right side of the dirt. Every morning that I wake up and I’m on the right side of the dirt is a reason to be grateful.”

Sean Lowe

Although he might forever be tied to the Bachelor, Sean Lowe is a family man. He said, “this holiday season, I am just so thankful for my family, the health of my children and my wife. I am also thankful that I live in a country that gives me the freedom to pursue my own happiness and the freedom to-worship the way I want. could not be more grateful if I-tried. So I wake up, so thankful every single day.”

Dixie D’Amelio

While many people might be sipping on the Red Velvet latte, Dixie D’Amelio has a simple sentiment for the holidays. She said, “I just want everyone to be safe, happy and healthy.”

Jackie Sorkin

As Queen of Candy, Jackie Sorkin brought smiles via her show Candified: Home for the Holidays. Like many of her sweet creations, Sorkin wants people to “feel out moments of joy” and appreciate the times were “we can be happy again, hug again, laugh again and be silly again.”

While season might be full of holiday gratitude, the sentiment doesn’t need to fade when calendar page turns. FoodSided’s wish for everyone is for those hopeful moments of reflection sustain and lift up all the days to come.