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Thanksgiving is being observed in the US and Canada today. It is a commemoration of the first successful harvest that a religious sect called the Puritans enjoyed after arriving in the US in the 1600's.
So, at best, it is an American tradition, at worst, it is the prelude to a genocide of native Americans that followed.
Now, all that has very little to do with Belize - except for one thing:the big bird. Turns out, that Thanksgiving turkey goes down pretty well with a plate of rice and beans and potato salad.
But why do Belizeans love it so? We toured the City this morning and went from fancy kitchens to corner eateries where it was all about the Turkey.
From interesting Turkey Dinner Sides, to sold out plates, here's what we gathered from the streets during today's Thanksgiving lunch hour. Jomarie Lanza Reports.
The search for a true Thanksgiving dinner in the city began at the Biltmore this morning. Their kitchen staff and head chef gave us a breakdown as to what customers could expect to feast upon for tonight's thanksgiving Buffet. It wasn't your traditional potato salad, or common stuffings and cranberry sides but still enticing to the tastebuds of any Turkey Dinner lover. Their general manager says that they opted to do a dinner instead of a luncheon because the turnout is much higher.
Ted Tejada, General Manager, Biltmore Hotel
"So for every year we look at what the customers are looking for and do they have time. When it's Mother's Day it's in the morning from 6:30 in the morning till 3. Moms after that want to go home and rest, Father's Day actually starts from 11 until about 5 and they want a barbecue. For valentines people want to start from about 7 onto midnight to go for a romantic dinner but when it comes to thanksgiving people prefer a dinner they want to have turkey and ham and start from 7 till about 11 in the night to get with their family and give thanks for each one of them for being there for one another and being grateful for another year so that's what we are doing, turkey and ham and a great salad bar here at the Biltmore."
While thanksgiving is an Americanized tradition that many Belizean businesses and restaurants have adopted over the years, some are of the view that it is more than just an observance and an excuse to carve up a turkey: It holds some level of meaning, that others see worth practicing as well, taking time out to give thanks for all that we have.
Saul Orozco, Executive Chef, Biltmore Hotel
"Realmente creo que es un momento para dar gracias a la vida gracias a dios de todo la menciona que tenemos dÃa y dÃa y el concepto es muy bonito por qué es un tema familiar donde todos se concentran y poder darle gracias a todo lo que pasado ante del año todo las bendiciones y creo que es un momento para celebrar un gran dÃa."
English:
"Truthfully I think it is a moment for us to give thanks, give thanks for life and to God for all the things he gives us day by day and The concept of it is very beautiful because it is a familiar topic for all of us to concentrate on, giving thanks for all that has happened in the past year, all the blessings and I think it is a moment worth celebrating on this grand day."
And here on the southside we also stopped in at several restaurants and franchises and got some insight on some other Turkey Dinner Sides. Here at Naked Chicken for Chef Ainsley the options are endless, even for those not in the mood for a thanksgiving dinner. We caught a few plates with ducunu, but the Chef says he is willing to accommodate every customer and their cravings, which is why they sold out before 12.
Chef Ainsley, Naked Chicken
"Well I cater to everybody because not everyone is into that rice or into that Turkey Dinner a lot of people are like me see it right here a lot of people are into the fish the Veg so I have Ducunu I have bake chicken and also I have some buffalo wings but fish is the seller here at naked chicken you know that is the best way to go so."
"When I was working at one of the biggest hotels at Belize The Radisson Fort George they were one of the spots that I saw that thanks giving us very very big now in Belize because we would have a two line buffet and also we got the peoples that would do a takeout also and then after that we would cook or bake at least ten to 15 turkey and ten ham and then after that I noticed when I was on Facebook today nearly everybody is doing a turkey Dinner and I not even need to advertise because I don't need to run any competition because I know I am one of the best so then at the end of the day people go for quality. I also have a complimentary dessert that goes with it also too and then again you cook it with passion because at the end of the day we can't run from it. I went to New York 2 years ago and I was there for thanksgiving and I saw how serious they take it so I said we just blend into it now as a culture."
Moving Downtown to "Place Yuh Ada" on Albert Street, the owner Chef Kenroy told us that it took 4 Turkey's and 2 hams to meet the demand of his customers.
Chef Kenroy, Head Chef, Place Yuh Ada
"Belizean Big on Turkey on a whole once you have turkey dinner all year round that will sell all year round for you. I don't know why our people love turkey dinner so much."
"Thanksgiving more or less like you said is in American tradition but for me it's more or less you have everything in life to be thankful for so that is the meaning behind Thanksgiving you just have to be thankful for everything around you I mean we got sun, we got beautiful weather right now and Christmas coming up and everyone is looking forward to that so like I said there is a lot to be thankful for. Yes it is an American tradition but we as Belizeans have stuff to be thankful for also."
Thanksgiving dinner was also the star of Ms Thelma's menu today, on Caesar Ridge Road. With up to 40 orders sold already, she says that she did anticipate her customers would expect a traditional Turkey Dinner today instead of your regular Belizean platter.
Ms Thelma, Owner, Thelma's Kitchen
"Well on Thanksgiving you know how people behave when they want their turkey dinner. Today was my Hudut day but nobody came and asked for hudut, they wanted Turkey Dinner so I had to prepare the Turkey Dinner."
Reporter:
"So you prepared Turkey Dinner because that's what everyone wanted? Or because that's what's selling?"
Ms Thelma, Owner, Thelma's Kitchen
"Because it's Thanksgiving and that's what the people want."
And, on Turkey Thursday, for reasons both cultural and culinary, people want that big bird in their plates.
The plates we encountered went from 12 dollars at Ms Thelma to 72 dollars at the Biltmore.
