Thanksgiving at Elizabeth Taylor’s

Feature Image: Mario Casilli

For Elizabeth Taylor, Thanksgiving was never just about the food: it was a celebration of the people she loved. Her holiday gatherings were a heartwarming expression of generosity, where every detail reflected her desire to bring everyone together. Friends, family, and colleagues were welcomed as equals, sharing in a meal that was as much about laughter, conversation, and companionship as it was about tradition. At Elizabeth’s table, Thanksgiving became all about the enduring joy of being together.

Elizabeth’s longtime private chef Neil Zevnik fondly recalls his time working with Elizabeth. “I have always felt that food is a gift that you give to people, and I always liked showing love through food to people who appreciated it. I was blessed to have the experience of working with Elizabeth, especially as my first full-time job, because it was so easy to show her love through food. She received it that way.” 

Neil was with Elizabeth full-time from 1991-1999, and continued to cook for holidays and special family gatherings after that. “The thing that always sticks in my mind from Thanksgiving was her obsession with turkey wings — they had to be really crispy, almost burnt.” Neil says. “I always needed to make extra wings because she not only wanted to have plenty at the Thanksgiving table, but she wanted leftovers.”

In addition to her beloved wings, the menu for an Elizabeth Taylor Thanksgiving dinner also featured classics like traditional bread stuffing, sweet potato casserole (without marshmallows), mashed potatoes, haricots verts, and creamed pearl onions. Gravy, plentiful and rich, was another non-negotiable, embodying the comforting essence of her holiday table. For dessert, guests enjoyed pumpkin pecan cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. Neil recalls that the two flavor and texture profiles she loved most were salty and crunchy and creamy and comforting. “In that sense, Elizabeth was very clear about what she liked. She was quite traditional when it came to holiday food.”

The preparation for these gatherings was an art in itself. Every detail, from linens and silverware to elaborate centerpieces and flower arrangements, was carefully curated to make the day feel special. Most importantly, Elizabeth insisted that everyone be seated at the same table, together. This way, there was no hierarchy, and everyone enjoyed each other’s company equally — something that was essential to a gathering at Elizabeth’s. Everyone in attendance, celebrity or not, was treated as family, and anyone who treated others poorly was quietly not invited back for future celebrations.

Thanksgiving at Elizabeth home was  a manifestation of her spirit: warm, inclusive, and deeply loving. “For years, whenever people have asked me about Elizabeth and what she was like, I've always said she was one of the most loyal and caring people that I've ever known, and that led her to treat everyone with respect,” Neil says. “It didn't matter who you were or what you did, you were a part of her family. And she made you feel that.”