Just because one person can do all the Christmas cooking doesn’t mean one person should.

Chef Anthony Head suggests spreading the work around to avoid being drained and stressed by the holiday meal.

Doing so not only stops the burden of cooking from falling on one set of shoulders, but it is also a good way for younger generations to learn to prepare beloved family recipes at grandma’s or mama’s side, Head said.

“Recipes are one thing, how to cook is another thing,” he said. “You watch grandma. There are five different things that weren’t written down. Pull up a stool, shut up and watch.”

The Dayton native teaches at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center’s “Cook’s Fast Track to Employment,” a seven-week introductory professional cooking course.

He encourage home cooks to use the resources around them, including family members, to put down those forks and spoons and pony up their time.

“You’ve got family, use them,” the 33-year-old father of two said. “The holidays are not about going to someone house and pigging out.”

Cooking has traditionally been a family affair, he said. Spread the love and the responsibilities.

“Know what you are good at. Don’t try to do everything,” he said. ”Some of us are great at making cakes, but have trouble making turkey.”

Whatever you do, don’t expect any miracles.

“Everybody is not going to be Martha Stewart,” Head warned.

Even those who don’t step in the kitchen can lend a hand. Contributions can be as simple as helping set up or clean up, Head said.

And he said making accommodations doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing taste and eating sticks and bark.

Every attempt should be made to adjust at least some foods for vegetarians and people with diet restrictions due to diabetes, high blood pressure or gluten sensitivity.

The keys are taste, smell, texture and appearance.

Head called pork the “magical animal” due to the flavor it can add to dishes, but he said turkey meat is a great alternative. There are many alternatives to ingredients like flour and sugar on the market, Head said.

“A lot of them can’t tell (the difference),” he said.

Cooking Christmas dinner should be a joyous event.

“Live with your family and have fun,” Head said.

What is your favorite family holiday dish?

First in our holiday cooking series: ‘We live in a very dangerous world’

Next in our holiday cooking series:“Don’t experiment of your family”