Some holidays are particularly hard to bear away from home. For my friend Lise, it’s Thanksgiving. She told me about its values of family, food and the spirit of gratitude, all of which appealed to me. So when the American Women’s Club (AWC) graciously invited me to their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Sheraton, I eagerly accepted.
Thanksgiving, for those who (like me) didn’t grow up with the tradition, traces its roots all the way back to 1620 when, after 66 treacherous and uncomfortable days at sea, the 102 passengers (or ‘pilgrims’ as they came to be known) aboard the Mayflower landed safely in Massachusetts. They then gave thanks for their arrival, but it wasn’t until a year later that the actual feast occurred. The indigenous tribe, the Wampanoag, taught the new pilgrims how to catch eel, grow corn and manage crops in this brave new world. They helped so much, in fact, that the pilgrim’s first harvest was a huge success. Both the new and original settlers sat down together and had a three day feast, which included 5 deer.
Deer wasn’t on the menu at the Sheraton, since the Thanksgiving menu has evolved so much since the original feast and even since Thanksgiving Day was officially proclaimed in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. What was on the menu was maple roast turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberries and the most delicious apple and pumpkin pies. It’s traditional to say grace before eating and say what you are thankful for and to think of others who are less fortunate. The former AWC president talked about a fantastic initiative being run by students, staff and parents at Sigtuna Humanistiska Läroverket to build schools and promote access to education for orphans and very poor children in Rachuonyodistrict, Kenya, which I was very happy to sponsor as a Father’s Day present for my husband. It was the combination of being grateful what we had and giving to those who didn’t have that has made a special space for Thanksgiving in my heart and we will certainly try to celebrate on the 22nd November this year.
For those who want to try their hand at Thanksgiving at home, Lori Rubottom Karimi is sharing her family’s traditional Southern recipes with Your Living City here. You can find out where to buy some of those elusive ingredients and where to get the best turkey here. And for those who want to celebrate out and about in the city, we’ve found three venues that are actually running Thanksgiving dinners (complete with pie!) in Stockholm. If you know of any more, please share!
Stockholm Supper Club
Supper Club Founders Jasmine Moradi and Roxanne Segenäs will host a Thanksgiving dinner with delicious food and drinks at Segenäs Restaurang. It’s a great chance to meet new friends and celebrate the season. The evening will include an aperitif, a three-course homemade meal and live entertainment provided by Swedish singer Sofie Hamilton.
A Supper Club is a dinner club, designed so that people can meet, have fun and share stories with new wonderful people at cost. We cook the food ourselves just like the TV program, Half Eight With Me. The trend started in Los Angeles in the early 00s and now, for the first time, has come to Stockholm
Address: Segenäs Restaurang, Lagerlöfsgatan 8, 112 60 Kungsholmen, Stockholm
Date: Saturday, 24 November, 7:30 PM – 11 PM
Price: 450 SEK
Ticket sales will close on 21 November so we encourage members to book here asap. Space is limited and tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Hard Rock Cafe Stockholm
We are family! Please join us at our Thanksgiving table from 22nd to 25th November.
Menu
Small Caesar Salad
Turkey, especially made for Thanksgiving, served with herb mashed potatoes and herb sauce, sprinkled with candied cranberries.
Pumpkin Pie
359 SEK per adult, 79 SEK per child
American Table
The 20-22nd November we’re celebrating Thanksgiving, and on the 20-21th November, Marcus Samulesson with part of his team from Red Rooster will be in the house to make sure it will be a real traditional American Thanksgiving. The kids will have an own little table where they can sit and draw and we will serve you a welcome drink on arrival.
Menu
Butternut squash soup or Waldorf Salad
Roasted turkey with classic stuffing, cranberry sauce, brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes and gravy
Pecan Pie
595 SEK for adults, half price for kids (incl. welcome drink))
Article: Farrah Gillani
Photo Credit: Museum de Lakenhal , martha_chapa95, thisreidwrites and VancityAllie
Thank You!!
Just discovered this. Will definitely share!
See you sometime, somewhere soon
Cheers
Patricia
So glad that you came to and enjoyed the luncheon.
Thank you for sharing both the history and the restaurants who will help us celebrate.
Happy Thanksgiving!