We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When Alton Brown tells you something is essential, you listen, even if it's for something as simple as what pan to use when frying an egg.

"Cooking for the holidays is less about the food and more about the people around you," explains television personality and food expert Alton Brown. "Choose dishes you can prep ahead of time and that ...

Entertaining during the holiday season can be joyful for a home cook hoping to exercise their culinary chops. But when it comes to selecting a meal centerpiece, it can also be tough to narrow it down.