Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, which means StationChef may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think will add value to our community. Your support through these links helps us continue to provide valuable content and resources. Thank you for your support!

🍗 Spatchcocking Explained: Faster, Juicier, Better Holiday Birds

If there’s one cooking move that instantly upgrades your holiday game, it’s spatchcocking, and yes, the name is ridiculous, but the results are elite. Spatchcocking simply means removing the backbone of a bird (chicken or turkey) and flattening it out before cooking. Grab a sturdy pair of kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone, remove it, flip the bird over, and press down firmly on the breast until it lays flat. That’s it. No culinary degree required, just a little confidence and a good cutting board.

During the holidays, when oven space is tight, timing matters, and expectations are high, spatchcocking is a power move. It frees up oven real estate, shortens cook time, and gives you predictable, repeatable results when you need them most. If you’re cooking for a crowd and want a bird that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and doesn’t hijack your entire day, this is the technique to learn. Once you spatchcock, you won’t go back, and your holiday table will never be the same.

Morning Brew makes business news something you’ll actually look forward to — which is why over 4 million people read it every day.

Sure, the Brew’s take on the news is witty and sharp. But the games? Addictive. You might come for the crosswords and quizzes, but you’ll leave knowing the stories shaping your career and life.

Try Morning Brew’s newsletter for free — and join millions who keep up with the news because they want to, not because they have to.

Try it now

If you’re serious about cooking perfect protein without babysitting the stove, a sous vide is a total game-changer. It works by cooking your food in a temperature-controlled water bath, meaning your steak, chicken, or pork can never overcook… ever. No dry chicken. No gray steak. Just juicy, edge-to-edge perfection every single time. You set the temp, drop it in, walk away, and go live your life while it does the work. It’s a massive time-saver for busy weeks, unbeatable for meal prep, and makes you look like a straight-up pro with almost zero effort. Once you realize how easy perfect protein can be, there’s no going back.

This one is my favorite from from Amazon👇 Holiday deals!

🔥 This Festive Acorn Squash Turkey Bowl is the perfect holiday meal when you want all the cozy, seasonal flavors without the food coma. You get sweet roasted squash, savory turkey, apples, sage, and thyme, basically Thanksgiving vibes in a balanced, high-protein bowl. It’s hearty enough to feel special, light enough to keep you energized, and easy to prep ahead when the schedule gets chaotic. At 450 calories with 40g of protein, it’s proof you don’t have to choose between comfort food and staying on track during the holidays, you can have both! 👉 Recipe here.

As the nights get colder and holiday gatherings fill the calendar, I’ve been craving a new kind of ritual—something warm, social, and feel-good, without the fogginess that often follows a drink. And this season, I found it.

Meet Vesper, Pique’s brand-new, non-alcoholic adaptogenic aperitif—and truly one of the most exciting launches they’ve ever released. Crafted with rare botanicals and science-backed ingredients, it delivers everything I love about a drink: the unwind, the mood lift, the sense of connection… just without the alcohol.

Each sip brings a soft drop in the shoulders, a gentle lift in spirit, and a clear, grounded presence. Sparkling, tart, and herbaceous, Vesper feels luxurious and intentionally crafted—perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights in, and an elevated start to Dry January.

Because it’s new (and already going viral), it will sell out fast.

Get 10% off for life

Imagine walking onto the scene of a multi-alarm fire and the stakes are high, and every second feels like an eternity. Leadership isn’t the guy with the biggest helmet or the longest stripe, it’s the person who keeps assessing, adapting, and learning in real time. That’s the core message from Simon Sinek: leadership doesn’t magically appear when you get a promotion or pin on new rank, it’s developed through constant learning and curiosity. The best leaders don’t walk around convinced they already “have it all figured out.” They ask questions, stay teachable, and always look for a better way.

In the fire service, that means staying sharp on the basics, your tactics, crew safety, and command presence, but also on your mindset. The moment we stop learning is the moment we stop leading. Whether you’re a probationary firefighter learning engine operations or a chief refining strategy for the next burn season, the leader who keeps learning is the one who inspires trust, loyalty, and excellence.

Sinek’s message is simple but profound: “True experts think of themselves as students”. That echoes through every firehouse where someone says, “I learned more last month than I did last year”. Great leaders don’t just give answers, they ask better questions. They listen. They pay attention to the new guy’s insight before dismissal, and they welcome feedback from the veteran, not because it's convenient, but because it makes the team stronger.

In a fire crew, curiosity translates into relentless training, honest after-action reviews, and a culture where no one is ever too good to learn something new. That humility builds an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up, and that’s real leadership.

Watch the full video here by Simon Sinek on YouTube.

Every product below is one I personally use, trust, and stand behind. They’ve earned a permanent spot in my kitchen 👇 HOLIDAY DEALS ARE HERE!

Was this e-mail forwarded to you? If so, subscribe here so you don’t miss any future newsletters!