In a unique culinary collaboration ahead of Thanksgiving 2018, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland , then 22, traded the action of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for an intimate kitchen setting. He joined Joe Russo , Avengers co-director and co-owner of the newly opened downtown Los Angeles restaurant Simone, for a hands-on exploration of American holiday flavors. Guiding the session was acclaimed chef Jessica Largey , whose expertise in seasonal ingredients set the stage for an informal yet enlightening exchange on Thanksgiving cuisine. The gathering not only tested Holland’s familiarity with American staples but also showcased his enthusiasm as a “great eater” and budding cook, blending his British roots with Stateside traditions.
The session kicked off with Holland expressed genuine excitement about his first official Thanksgiving dinner in LA, planned for a friend’s house (who plays his school teacher in the Spider-Man films). Holland notes how Thanksgiving has evolved into a “catch-all” holiday. While it revolves around core elements like turkey roast and stuffing , its flexibility allows participants to bring their favorite dishes, making room for non-traditional additions like macaroni and cheese , which Holland views as a perfect fit for the heavy, comforting meal.
A standout moment came when Chef Largey introduced Holland to a dish of roasted kabocha squash , a Japanese variety of pumpkin used in autumnal dishes. Prepared with accompaniments like chanterelle mushrooms , kale , and passion fruit , the dish, according to Largey, “really feels like Thanksgiving to me.” For Holland, who was only familiar with pumpkin seeds, tasting the fruit itself was a novel experience. His reaction was one of pure delight: “That’s so good, the passion fruit as well, and the kale is crunchy so there’s a nice like textural thing. That was delicious.” Playfully promoting the dish’s excellence, he quipped that starting with “probably the best pumpkin I’ll ever have” meant “Every pumpkin after this will be a disappointment,” underscoring his newfound appreciation for the seasonal staple.
Shifting from tasting to sharing, Holland impresses his companions by revealing his simple yet visually striking signature recipe: a clever take on mac and cheese dubbed ” pasta pie .” Inspired by Instagram, the dish involves layering ingredients in a mug—starting with cheese, basil, and tomato sauce at the bottom, followed by broken rigatoni pasta arranged in circles, and topped with more cheese. While simple, the recipe perfectly fits the holiday’s theme of incorporating comfort food favorites. The collaborative session, hosted by Russo, and guided by Largey, highlights Thanksgiving’s adaptability, showing how global stars like Holland seamlessly blend their own tastes into traditional feasts.