Hosting or Entertaining Questions This Holiday: Call (855) 4MY-TABLE

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Inspire PR Group

Nov 21, 2016, 13:35 ET


New Albany, Ohio (PRWEB) November 21, 2016 -- Today, Bob Evans announced a partnership with The Emily Post Institute to create the Holiday Help from the Farm campaign. Holiday Help from the Farm combines the wisdom and beliefs of Bob Evans, whose life was dedicated to hospitality, with the renown and knowledge of The Emily Post Institute, to take the stress out of the holidays and keep the focus on what matters: time with family and friends.

Emily Post's name has become synonymous with proper etiquette and manners. More than half a century after her death, her name is still used in reference to manners, which Emily Post defined as a sensitive awareness to the feelings of others. As part of the Holiday Help from the Farm campaign, Lizzie Post, the great, great granddaughter of Emily Post, will be offering hosting and entertaining tips and tricks that can simplify the holidays.

The election is over, but there is sure to be political talk around the holiday table. Politics is just one of the many topics that can derail the discussions at the holiday gathering. To keep the conversations from getting ugly, Lizzie has a few tips on how to handle:

  • Set ground rules before the meal even begins by saying something like, “It has been a crazy year so I would like us to refrain from any political or religious discussions at the table. There are so many positive things to catch up on so let’s concentrate on that.”
  • Redirect the conversation. If there are still contentious conversations happening, don’t correct, redirect! Say, “John, I’d love to get away from politics (or finances, religion, romantic drama, etc.) and hear about your vacation to the Grand Canyon.”
  • Make it personal and encourage the discussion. If a guest tries to redirect the conversation a few times and it is not working, as the host, it is completely appropriate for to say, with a smile and a confident tone, “We are finished talking politics at the table. Kelsey, what did you put in these delicious potatoes?”

Here are some additional thoughts from Lizzie that will help make sure holiday gatherings go smoothly:

  • Plan in advance so the host can enjoy the holiday, greet each guest as they arrive, and make everyone feel special and appreciated.
  • Mentally prepare yourself to roll with the punches. Things always go wrong but as long as the host remains calm, the holiday event will be a success.
  • Keep the focus on friends and family. It doesn’t matter if the turkey burns or the table is not set to perfection, the most important thing is that the guests feel welcome.

For anyone who has a question about entertaining or is anxious about attending a family gathering, there are a few ways to find the information they need:

  • Bob Evans Holiday Helpline: (855) 4MY-TABLE

For live hospitality and entertaining help from one of the Bob Evans trained experts, the Bob Evans Holiday Helpline will be open:

  • November 23, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • November 24, (THANKSGIVING), 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • December 23, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • December 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE), 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • December 30, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • December 31, (NEW YEAR'S EVE), 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Bob Evans Holiday Help from the Farm website: http://www.bobevans.com/holidayhelp; The Emily Post Institute website: http://www.emilypost.com

For tips and tricks for hosting a welcoming and warm holiday meal, guests can visit the Bob Evans Holiday Help from the Farm or The Emily Post Institute websites.

When the Bob Evans Holiday Helpline is not open, guests can submit questions to the Bob Evans social media channels. The questions will be answered by trained experts with a focus on Bob Evans values of hospitality, family and togetherness.

Whether guests are looking to dine-in at a restaurant or enjoy a complete meal at home, Bob Evans can help prepare a delicious, stress-free holiday feast.

  • Open Thanksgiving: At Bob Evans, there's nothing the team enjoys more than sharing special moments and delicious food with friends and family. Just like Bob and Jewell did each year, Bob Evans is opening the doors to everyone looking to share a special meal on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Premium Farmhouse Feast $109.99 (serves 8-10): This extra special meal is packed cold and includes BOTH a slow-roasted whole boneless turkey breast and sliced hickory smoked ham, bread & celery dressing, home style mashed potatoes, buttered sweet corn, green beans with ham, cranberry relish, gravy, dozen rolls, macaroni & cheese, a whole apple pie, a whole pumpkin pie with whipped topping, and a loaf of pumpkin bread.
  • Farmhouse Feast $49.99 - $89.99 (serves 4-8): This holiday package is packed cold and includes your choice of a slow-roasted whole turkey or ham, bread & celery dressing, home style mashed potatoes, buttered sweet corn, green beans with ham, cranberry relish, gravy, dozen rolls, pumpkin pie with whipped topping and a loaf of pumpkin bread.
  • Restaurant Sides (prices vary): From mashed potatoes to dressing to pumpkin pie, Bob Evans has sides covered! If the host just wants to concentrate on the turkey, have a mishap or forget a side dish, guests can order sides for pick-up any day, including Thanksgiving Day.
  • Catering (prices vary): Sometimes families just don’t want to cook, but need to feed a lot of people. That’s where Bob Evans catering comes in. From a holiday office party to a family gathering, Bob Evans can take care of everything. Order at http://www.bobevans.com/catering or 1-800-BOBEVANS.
  • Refrigerated Sides (prices vary): For individuals who don’t have a Bob Evans restaurant nearby, pop over to the local grocery store and grab one of Bob Evans famous refrigerated sides, like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese.

To learn more, visit, http://www.bobevans.com/holidayhelp.

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About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans Restaurants brand name. At the end of the first fiscal quarter (July 29, 2016), Bob Evans Restaurants owned and operated 522 family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Bob Evans Farms, Inc., through its BEF Foods segment, is also a leading producer and distributor of refrigerated side dishes, pork sausage and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit http://www.bobevans.com.

About The Emily Post Institute
The Emily Post Institute has been America’s go-to source for etiquette advice for almost 100 years! They have acted as a social barometer for American etiquette tracking evolving standards in behavior, etiquette, and manners. The experts at The Emily Post Institute regularly speak on a variety of etiquette topics, including business, weddings, parenting, technology, social situations, grieving, holidays, politics, pop culture, and, of course, essential manners.

The Post family has authored a 25-plus book collection and held columns in Good Housekeeping, The Boston Globe, The Huffington Post, Inside Weddings, and Houzz.com, host a podcast with American Public Media called “Awesome Etiquette,” and offer trainings in business, wedding, and children’s etiquette. The Emily Post Institute also partners with businesses and non-profit organizations to bring etiquette and manners to a wide audience through media and events. There are currently two generations and three direct descendants and their immediate family involved with The Emily Post Institute.

Diane Hurd, Inspire PR Group, +1 614-532-5279, [email protected]