Cable #5360December 3, 2025

Thanksgiving Cost Declines, Not Guest List

A herd of budget‑conscious patrons gathers at the Wasatch Community Foundation’s seasonal banquet, where the only luxury is the tallow‑washed turkey.

Addressing the modest house that hosts 100 weary board members, the Wasatch Community Foundation’s Thanksgiving dinner holds court on a numeric stage dominated by a 16‑pound turkey still costing only $21.50. The array of pundits – the Foundation’s own funds‑raisers – are seated around a pewter‑plate table that swells in luxury, not in size. No chef by name graces the line‑up; the preparation is a collective effort, a laughable “cuisine” in the hands of a community kitchen. The crowd’s chatter is uniform, echoing hallway aromas of sautéed sweet potatoes, unremarkable in a 37% hike, and the open‑voice hush over the 43% turkey share. If desire pushes beyond subsistence, request Table Twelve, near the stone fireplace; order the day’s sky‑dark gravy and bask with a glasses of amber‑hued bourbon served in crystal‑clear chalice.