How do you carve a turkey without losing the crispy skin? What kind of pie should you make if you’re sick of apple? And what’s the world’s easiest pie crust? This week, chefs Jet Tila and Dominique Ansel join Chris Kimball to answer your Thanksgiving cooking questions. Plus chef Jesse Griffiths goes hunting for wild turkeys; José Andrés, Melissa Clark, Joe Yonan and Monti Carlo reveal why they’re tired of serving the big bird (and what they’re making instead); and our friends and listeners share their most unique holiday traditions.

Questions in this episode:

"I want to make samosas as a Thanksgiving side. Any tips?"

"Do you have any festive suggestions for a Thanksgiving Day punch, besides the ordinary apple cider or sparkling cider?"

"How do I carve a turkey without losing the crispy skin?"

"I always try to bake a surprise pie for Thanksgiving. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for a different kind of pie to make?"

"Thoughts on using a hot water crust for a Thanksgiving pie?"

Our Thanksgiving contributors:

• Jet Tila, chef and author of 101 Thai Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die
• Dominique Ansel, pastry chef and author of Life’s Sweetest Moments
• Jesse Griffiths, chef and author of The Turkey Book
• Melissa Clark, New York Times food reporter
• Joe Yonan, author of the “Eat At Joe’s” newsletter
• Monti Carlo, author of Spanglish (May, 2026)
• Jose Andres, author of ​​Spain My Way: Eat, Drink, and Cook Like a Spaniard (May, 2026)
• Stella Parks, author of Bravetart
• Kim Severson, New York Times food reporter
• Irene Yoo, author of Soju Party
• Maggie Hennessy, food writer
• David “Mas” Masumoto, author of Every Peach Is a Story
• Lidia Bastianich, host of Lidia Celebrates America: A Nation of Neighbors on public television
• Nok Suntaranon, chef and author of Kalaya’s Southern Thai Kitchen
• Sofia Schlieben, Pastry Chef at JF Restaurants

Music credits:

• Avner Kelmer - Lunch Time
• Georg Egloff - Step Up
• Georg Egloff - Good Old Shoe
• Martin Landstrom - Baggage Claim
• Nocturnal Spirits - Under the Misty Moon
• Guataca Groove - Una Guajira
• 5357_06-02
• El Equipo Del Norte - Son Lindas
• Georg Egloff - Ree Store Ante
• Vince Guaraldi - Trio Linus and Lucy
• Megan Wofford - Cool Tidings
• Alexandre Desplat - The Original French Chef Theme
• Chelsea May - Suits
• Big Bad Beats - Nashville (Country Rap Instrumental)
• Don Vogelei - All Things Considered Theme (1976)
• Martin Landstrom - Lazy Art
• Georg Egloff - Memory Book
• Yo-Yo Ma - Simple Gifts
• Steven Sharp Nelson - Simple Gifts