HOLIDAY COOKING TRENDS REFLECT AMERICA’S MODERN FAMILY DINNER TABLE

TV Chef Eden Grinshpan and Kenmore Brand Offer Simple Ways to Please Variety of Tastes and Make the Holidays Brighter for Military Families

From multi–generations to multi–cultures, honoring traditions while catering to different tastes may prove challenging for holiday hosts. A recent Kenmore survey found that more than half of Americans (52 percent) celebrate the holidays with extended family and/or friends, bringing a variety of food preferences to the table. As a chef who makes a living from experiencing many global flavors in cities around the world, TV host and celebrity chef Eden Grinshpan offers simple twists on holiday cooking to update family favorites and even create new traditions.

The Kenmore survey revealed that 46 percent of Americans create special dishes for guests and 44 percent of those say the main reason in offering something special is to spice things up. Further, many respondents think holiday preparations are fun, with 27 percent of women responding that they feel like a “Rock Star” when it comes to holiday cooking and entertainment.

To inspire and help those aspiring “rock star” cooks, the Kenmore brand introduces cookmore.com, to easily create custom cookbooks including favorite family recipes, as well as access and share from a recipe library built by everyday cooks and acclaimed chefs. Suiting the need holiday hosts have to spice things up, the site allows users to add their own special “twists” to recipes they save and even share their own twists on others’ traditional favorites.

For example, turkey still reigns supreme, with 90 percent of Americans planning to eat it this year. However, for those looking to spice up the bird, Grinshpan’s ‘Mediterranean Turkey’ recipe calls for paprika, cumin, fennel and even pita bread and cinnamon.

“While guests appreciate the tried and true dishes they come to expect during the holidays, they tend to feel extra special if their specific tastes are catered to,” said Grinshpan. “Through travels for my show, I discover food and ingredients from cultures all over the word that inspire me to bring something new and unexpected to the dinner table. With cookmore.com, cooks can share and discover fresh recipes to serve up joy year round.”

Valuing the spirit of giving thanks during the holidays, the Kenmore brand brings something more to the table – $1 for every recipe submitted or downloaded oncookmore.com will be donated to Sears Heroes at Home – up to $10,000 – to make the holiday season brighter for military families. The Heroes at Home program strives to uplift, assist and honor America’s military service members, veterans and their families.

“The holiday season brings challenges in the home, from finding the right recipes to knowing the right tools that help ensure a sensational holiday meal,” said Michael Castleman, president, Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard and SVP of Sears Holdings. “The Kenmore brand has been a part of American homes through a century of holidays. We know the right solutions and innovations, such as double ovens and large capacity refrigerators, which enable hosts to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their guests at the table.”

Managing the Main Event
The Kenmore survey also found that 63 percent serve more than one main course during the holidays to satisfy guests. With many advances in cooking appliances, consumers can deliver double the number of main dishes even with limited space.

A Home for Coveted Leftovers
Where to put all that extra holiday food is often a dilemma for holiday hosts, especially when considering that 37 percent of American holiday gatherings are potluck style.