Melissa Gorga Shares a Look Inside Her Family’s Fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner
The RHONJ mom celebrated the holiday surrounded by dozens of loved ones.
Melissa Gorga’s Thanksgiving celebration had all the essentials: good food; good drinks; and, most importantly, good company.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey mom hit up Instagram on Thursday (November 23) to provide an inside look at her family’s Turkey Day dinner. The event was hosted by Melissa’s older sister Lysa Simpson, who invited about 45 people to her Garden State home. Guests included Melissa’s husband, Joe Gorga, and their children, as well as Melissa’s other sister, Kim Pirrella, and her mom, Donna Marco.
Shortly before the dinner began, the RHONJ cast member shared a few peeks at their hearty Thanksgiving feast. She began by showing off some mouth-watering cupcakes that resembled baked pies, and chocolate-covered strawberries that looked like mini turkeys. Both items were created by The Royal Sweet Fairy, an event-planning and baking company located in New Jersey.
“So awesome,” Melissa said while showcasing the treats. “We’re just getting here, setting everything up. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.”
Melissa Gorga shows off her family's Thanksgiving meal
The boutique owner then made her way to the kitchen, where some of her relatives were still cooking up a storm. The menu items included everything from stuffing and breaded eggplant to prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and stuffed mushrooms to carrot cake and 8 pounds of penne alla vodka.
Melissa went on to do a bit of mingling and filmed the other guests as they enjoyed some pre-dinner drinks and conversation.
“All the family is here,” she continued, as she turned the camera to her uncle, a few cousins, nieces, and her children.
Melissa and Joe Gorga debate this holiday topic
Melissa discussed her love for Thanksgiving during the November 22 episode of her On Display podcast with her hubby, Joe. While they agreed on certain topics — like oven-baked turkeys being superior to fried turkeys and sweet potatoes being the best Thanksgiving side — the Bravo couple disagreed on catered holiday meals.
“I can’t stand that when you order all the food,” Joe said. “The tradition is you gotta make the food. You get up in the morning, [spend] all day cooking. That’s what the tradition is. Everybody is forgetting about that, even on Christmas and Christmas Eve. No, you don’t order! You slave and you make it.”
Melissa pushed back and said it was sometimes easier to order particular items; however, Joe insisted that cooking at home was part of the experience.
“Thanksgiving is always that,” he said. “Everybody just cooking and hanging out and watching football and falling asleep —”
“No, you mean the men are hanging out and watching football, and the women are slaving, cooking, and cleaning,” Melissa explained. “So, that’s why you prefer homecooked meals.”
Joe’s response was… well, typical Joe.
“I’m always slaving. I’m always constantly slaving,” he joked. “You know, taking care of you, making love to you. That’s a lot of work.”
“Oh my god,” Melissa said. “That is called a privilege.”
