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Looking for dessert for Thanksgiving? Campbell's Bakery offers apple pie, pumpkin pie, southern chocolate, caramel cake and smaller items such as petit fours.(Photo: Joe Ellis / The Clarion-Ledger)Buy a photo

This is the moment of the biggest gastronomic festival of the year. Ironically, this follows the second biggest gourmet party of the year (Halloween). Interestingly enough, we go door-to-door for dessert almost a month before the main course at Thanksgiving, but I keep away from the subject.

The traditional mental image of Thanksgiving is the classic portrait of Norman Rockwell. The parties are already on the table, people are gathered around the table in anticipation of what is going to happen, and the perfectly prepared turkey is the focal point of the whole picture.

For many, the party known as Turkey Day reflects this image in many ways. Cooks from the family (or eager to cook) channel their Julia Child or Alton Brown inside, spending hours (sometimes days) preparing the perfect feast for the many family members and friends who will come that day. Often, the meal revolves around the home of a favorite family member who organizes this event each year since the birth of some of the participants. Everyone has their favorite long-time dishes, which make the holidays complete, and really miss when the hands that prepared them are gone (mine is my mother's dirty rice and oyster vinaigrette).

But what about those who are not close to their family and can not travel this year? Who are new to the area and do not have people to invite them? Who has the time and the resources to welcome the mass circulation and would like to do so, but can not we boil water without burning it? Who wants to bring something to the big gathering, but can not (or will not) cook? What are they doing?

Fortunately, there are a number of places around the Jackson subway that are available to help.

For single people or with a group of like-minded displaced friends, the Old Capitol Inn will host its annual Thanksgiving buffet. Jackson's downtown facility will have two seats at 11 am and 1 pm I have friends who have spent their vacations spoiling here and they have given positive reviews for the experience.

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The delicatessens of McDade's Market and Froogel's will be open on Thanksgiving Day until noon for a Thanksgiving breakfast (with the exception of the Maywood Mart store). Various turkeys, hams and side dishes will be available to order in advance. at home or at your favorite parent's holiday party.

It is popular to order in advance to pick it up before the big day, with full meal deals and a la carte options available, so you can load as much (or as little) as needed. You can take care of the whole broadcast in one place or simply choose one or two sides to take to your grandmother.

The Olivia's Food Emporium gourmet menu at Ridgeland is on order, with fried turkeys and a corn bread vinaigrette with gravy sauce at the top of the list of favorites. The Manship offers the complete dinner package, with a turkey, three options, sauce and desserts included, or you can choose what you prefer, from the turkey.

The Strawberry Café family feast offers the choice of a boneless pork loin or ham, as well as corn or oyster bread vinaigrette options (yes!), Three sides, rolls and dessert, or you can choose from their dips, sides and desserts for individual menus. items.

Broad Street Bakery offers you a honey glazed ham, a half-turkey roast or fried turkey breast, as well as a plethora of soups, salads, side dishes (including andouille salad dressing or cabbage masque) , their homemade breads and desserts. The Trace Grill restaurant's meal includes a fried or smoked turkey, a spiral ham, a cornbread vinaigrette and gravy, a sweet potato stew, your choice of several other sides and rolls to mop up the rest of the meal. the sauce. Both locations also have a la carte options so you can choose what you need.

All this turkey, vinaigrette, ham, casseroles and other tasty dishes sound good. But what if you just want to focus on dessert? Campbell's Bakery is here to help you prepare it, with apple pie, pumpkin pie, Southern chocolate pie, caramel cake and other small items such as ready-to-pick-and-bake cookies. trampled.

Obviously, these places represent only the hidden part of the visible part of the iceberg. There are a ton of restaurants and food establishments that deal all year round or making all the stops during the holidays. Find what you prefer and check what tickles your imagination and fits your budget. Obviously, many of these places are very busy at this time of the year and will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. So it is always essential to plan and order in advance, as well as resume work before the big day.

Not a lot about traditional turkey and vinaigrette scene? Well; Do not hesitate to diversify according to your desires. A Mexican fiesta? There are a number of places that could scrape you the itch south of the border. We live in the south of the country so maybe hitting one of our best BBQ places with your catering order will make your party a success. Who says that chops and coleslaw are not holiday food? In reality, use your imagination and find the meal that matches your personality. It is likely that a place around here can build your holiday meal and prepare it for you to pick up and prepare for your new Thanksgiving tradition.

The key is this. it's Thanksgiving. To be grateful. Life is not always what we want, but that does not mean we can not do the best we can. Whether you have a piece of bread that makes jealous billionaires or serve the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving toast meal, jelly beans and popcorn, remember the priority. To return to this Norman Rockwell painting, the key to the meal is not the turkey in the middle, but the people around the table. Embrace them – and try not to steal the roll of their plate while doing it.

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