One of the best ways to celebrate Thanksgiving has always been, well, to give thanks. Chef Deon Thomas, who has a fairly famous kitchen inside the VFW in Oak Bluffs, has taken the November holiday a step further and in his attempt to give back, has fed roasted (and fried and barbecue and jerk) turkey to Islanders for free since 2012.
While other communities might have turkey giveaways and food drives, Chef Deon’s kitchen spares no sauce. This year he served up turkey four ways, squash orchard stuffing with apple, collard greens, mac ‘n cheese, mashed potatoes, and — wait for it — pies from Morning Glory Farm. Special donations from Vineyard Grocer help out, as well as gleaned produce from Island Grown Initiative, along with others. It’s a dinner for the community, from the community.
Last year, the chef says, they served a little more than 500 meals, and this year he planned to make 50 turkeys. He’s got the preparations down to a science, and took a few minutes to talk to us between running around to pick everything up a couple of days before the big event.
“We’ll have volunteers tomorrow morning peeling and chopping and cutting,” he told us. “And we have volunteers who drive, because we have the sick and the shut-in too.”
In the past, they’ve had more than 30 volunteers help with the prep, cooking, and delivery. Sometimes volunteers bring the whole family. “Sheriff Ogden comes and brings his family,” Thomas said. “We have two lines going… one for sitting in and another for meals to go. We make a coconut pumpkin carrot soup that’s vegetarian, and with squash from IGI, and we turn that into the most beautiful soup. That always comes in handy, because it’s been chilly the last few years.”
Thomas’ own family often gets in on the festivities as well. His daughter is home from college to help out this year. “My son is actually in Spain, and he’s not home until December. He was on the phone and said it was the first time he’ll miss it,” the chef said.
He said once November comes up on the calendar, he begins “putting out feelers” about what he may be able to gather together as far as donations go. Because one person doesn’t have everything, Chef Deon said, it means he has to coordinate what he’s getting from where. It all seems to come together in the end.
Who comes to enjoy the gourmet turkey dinner? That’s a broad question. There are elders who might pick up dinner or choose to dine inside. A lot of times, Chef Deon said, workmen who are coming home from off-Island will call ahead when they’re on the ferry to see if there’s still turkey available.
“After 6:30 or 7, the workmen who’ve been out come… they’ll call you ‘I’m on the boat do you still have turkey?’ You just never know how many people will come. You can’t plan for it all — you cook and hope for the best. We’ve never had a year when we’ve had a lot of food leftover.”
And why does the chef commit to preparing 50 turkeys and hundreds of pounds of Thanksgiving dishes every year?
“What do I get from this?” Chef Deon repeated the question we asked. “The joy of the community. There is no cost…this is my giving back to the community. It’s all volunteers; the only people getting paid are the chefs in the kitchen.”
Sharon Brown is looking for a chef, hopefully with a facility available, who might be able donate their time and talent for a Christmas Day dinner for folks who may not have anyone to spend Christmas with. She’s been doing this for a few years now, and could use a hand. Email sharon25brown@gmail.com or call her at 302-602-6829 if you can help.
Deon and Emily give back every day with their kindness and smiles. I’m not surprised they would do this for their community on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving day tradition that is a welcome gift to the island. I often eat at his kitchen, and always amazed how awesome the food is with a handful of people in the dining room. It is the best kept secret if you have not tried it you need to go.
The beautiful volunteers! And Ellie, all grown up! Thank you for this article.
Deon’s has long been among our favorite Island eateries. Good food piled high, reasonable prices, welcoming atmosphere. After reading this story, Deon’s stands alone at the top of our list. Many thanks to the small staff and the many volunteers.
Tom Pallas & Carolyn Eddy
Emily and Deon are the most wonderful and generous people. We had an impromptu wedding (just the 2of us) on Anguilla in 2009 and ate at their restaurant the Overlook the night before. We had a delicious meal and then they presented us with a flower bouquet they’d put together for our wedding on Rendevous Bay the next morning. Something we will never forget and why we hold them in our hearts forever grateful.
Deborah Williams
Chef Deon is a Hero.
February 2006, not 2009.
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