Christmas at KitchenDance: A Season of Family, Food & Gratitude
At KitchenDance, Christmas isn’t just a season—it’s a feeling.
This time of year, KitchenDance hums with a little extra warmth, our conversations include more stories, and our hearts feel especially full. We recently sat down with our team and asked three simple questions:
• What is your Christmas family tradition?
• What’s your favorite holiday food?
• What’s your favorite thing about working at KitchenDance?
What we received in return were memories filled with laughter, tradition, culture, and love—exactly what the holidays are all about.
Here’s a glimpse into Christmas through the hearts of our KitchenDance family.
Christina Caro, CEO
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Christina, Christmas begins in the kitchen. Every year, her family bakes an impressive assortment of holiday cookies — chocolate chip with M&M’s, snickerdoodles, gingerbread, sugar cookies with frosting, and fudge. The tradition is especially meaningful because it brings back warm memories of baking alongside her grandmother, who was always part of those holiday moments.
Favorite Holiday Food
“All of it,” Christina says — and it’s easy to see why. Holiday meals in her family traditionally include ham and prime rib, but her mom’s signature Spinach Madeleine holds a special place in her heart. This year, Christina is carrying on the tradition herself, keeping family memories alive one dish at a time.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
“The people.” Christina shared that while building the business has always been a goal, the people who have grown alongside her are what matter most. She’s proud of the family-like culture that’s been built and truly enjoys working with every member of the team.
Ami Craig, Operations Manager
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
Ami’s family loves spending time together during the holidays by watching Christmas movies, decorating the tree, and listening to music. One of their most meaningful traditions is sharing what they’re grateful for while decorating — a moment that brings everyone closer.
Favorite Holiday Food
Cookies, candies, and especially Grinch hot cocoa. Their hot chocolate turns bright green in honor of their favorite Christmas movie, The Grinch, making it a fun and festive family tradition.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
Ami says it’s the people and the family-first culture. KitchenDance allows her the flexibility to spend time with her family while working in an environment where everyone truly feels like family.
Erin Murphy
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Erin, Christmas tradition means gathering together on Christmas morning to open presents, enjoy breakfast, and simply be together as a family.
Favorite Holiday Food
Spinach Madeleine — a rich, creamy spinach dish her mom used to make. Erin fondly remembers cooking it with her mom, and now watching her sister Christina continue the tradition.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
“The people.” Erin values working alongside a team that truly feels like family.
Danelle Gauden
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Danelle, Christmas is deeply rooted in Filipino culture. She shared her favorite tradition, Simbang Gabi, which involves attending church at dawn for nine consecutive days leading up to Christmas Eve. In the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated on the night of December 24th — with her mom cooking all day, attending church late at night, and having a Christmas festivity at midnight for Jesus’ birthday known as Noche Buena.
Though living in the U.S. now, Danelle hopes to carry these traditions forward and bring the Filipino Christmas spirit into the family she and her husband are building.
Favorite Holiday Food
Her mom’s Filipino-style spaghetti, honey-glazed ham, puto bumbong, and queso de bola (traditional Filipino ball-shaped cheese). Foods that taste like home and family.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
Danelle loves the sense of family at KitchenDance. She shared how everyone is kind, friendly, and understanding, and how the company has given her opportunities to grow and learn new things.
Pam Martin
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
Pam’s favorite Christmas tradition comes from when her kids were little. Every Christmas morning, they would quietly sneak into her bedroom, bang pots and pans, jump on the bed, and pretend to wake her up — even though she was already awake. Those joyful, chaotic mornings remain some of her most cherished memories.
Favorite Holiday Food
Ham and homemade lasagna — comforting, classic holiday favorites.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
Pam appreciates the friendly atmosphere and how well everyone gets along. It’s a place where people enjoy working together.
Kenny Allen
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Kenny, Christmas is about what matters most—spending quality time with family. Whether it’s sitting together, sharing conversations, or simply enjoying each other’s presence, those moments are what make the holiday special.
Favorite Holiday Food
Macaroni and cheese. A classic comfort dish that feels like home and brings a sense of warmth to the holiday table.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
Kenny appreciates the strong sense of family at KitchenDance. The care, understanding, and support shared among the team make it more than just a workplace—it feels like a place where people genuinely look out for one another.
Jacob Miller
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Jacob, Christmas is about coming together. Each year, his family gathers at his uncle’s house to celebrate, sharing time, laughter, and the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones.
Favorite Holiday Food
Jacob doesn’t have just one favorite holiday dish. For him, the food is secondary to the moment — it’s the togetherness, conversation, and shared memories around the table that truly make the holiday special.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
What Jacob appreciates most about KitchenDance is the sense of family. It’s a place where people support one another, feel connected, and genuinely care — making every day feel welcoming and meaningful.
Sam Harris
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Sam, Christmas is all about togetherness. His family gathers for a big holiday feast where everyone eats, laughs, plays games, and shares stories with the kids. It’s a joyful tradition filled with connection, warmth, and memories that get passed down year after year.
Favorite Holiday Food
Ham with cheesy homemade macaroni and sweet potatoes—comfort foods that bring everyone back to the table and make the holiday feel complete.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
What Sam values most about KitchenDance is the understanding and encouragement shared among the team. Everyone supports one another and pushes each other to grow, creating an environment where people feel motivated, respected, and appreciated.
Trequane Lee
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
This year, Tre is traveling home to Brooklyn to spend Christmas with family. Traditionally, everyone gathers at his grandmother’s house, sits around the table, opens gifts, and enjoys being together — hopefully with a white Christmas.
Favorite Holiday Food
His grandma’s pineapple-topped ham holds special memories. For Christmas, though, Tre is a steak, mashed potatoes, and greens kind of guy.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
Tre loves the small-team environment where everyone contributes and plays an important role in making the company succeed.
Deshawn Roberts
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Deshawn, Christmas Eve starts with a big family breakfast—a time to slow down, gather around the table, and enjoy being together before the holiday begins. It’s a simple tradition that brings comfort, connection, and lasting memories.
Favorite Holiday Food
Turkey—classic, familiar, and a staple that brings everyone together around the table.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
What Deshawn values most about KitchenDance is the people. The team makes every day better, creating an environment where everyone feels supported, respected, and part of something meaningful.
Romele Baughman
Favorite Christmas Family Tradition
For Mel, Christmas morning is all about togetherness. Opening presents as a family is a cherished tradition—one filled with laughter, excitement, and the simple joy of being surrounded by loved ones as the day begins.
Favorite Holiday Food
Macaroni and cheese or sweet potatoes—comforting favorites that make the holiday table feel extra special and full of warmth.
Favorite Thing About Working at KitchenDance
Mel loves the welcoming environment at KitchenDance. From supportive leadership to approachable, caring managers, it’s a place where she feels encouraged, appreciated, and truly at home.
From Our KitchenDance Family to Yours
This Christmas, we’re grateful for the people who make KitchenDance what it is — our team and our customers. Thank you for being part of our journey.
From all of us at KitchenDance, we wish you a holiday season filled with love, warmth, great food, and cherished traditions.
