Yo: Labor Day Is Not Just About The Grill
barbeque chicken
The last day of summer here, on Maui, was a month ago, the first Sunday of August. At our house this day is very focused, very subdued. Not celebratory in the least, no one is in a hurry to let go of the season’s leisurely, long days. The vibe is quiet and controlled in preparation for the back to school transition.
But all of that goes out the window on Labor Day. The three day weekend is a kind of Hawaiian Indian Summer. We sleep and stay up late. We grill. We gather with friends. We celebrate the true end of the summer season just like, and with, the rest of the country.
This year Mom is in town and we’re running full throttle with two new restaurants, so our Labor Day will probably be a quieter, family affair. But there’s no way we’ll be holding back on the grill. Maybe Michele and I will collab on a local Simple Roots barbeque chicken- my homemade dry rub and sauce, his professional hands on all other aspects of the prep. We’d keep it simple with some grilled corn on the cob as a nice side. We could also whip up a quick salad of the local avocados our prep chef gifted us, tossed with some cherry tomatoes and a splash of red wine vinaigrette. I can imagine Mom making her famous potato salad- and asking us to add some hot dogs to the mix, because they were always a staple whenever we grilled growing up. Jada will want a burger. Michele might throw on some sausage or ribs, European style with just salt and pepper, for good measure.
Our version of the holiday is a mash up of traditions gathered around the grill but clearly Labor Day isn’t just about hamburgers and hot dogs. It began in the 1880s as a holiday to honor the American worker. Early celebrations were parades that ended with massive community picnics- food always at the center. By the 1950’s, the backyard grill became the suburban symbol of the holiday. Barbecue was communal, affordable and social. Everyone, in their own way, could gather around the fire. And today, when we light the grill on Maui, opening a canvas to express our own cultural version of what it means to celebrate this uniquely American day, we stand in a long line of labor, culture and food history. It’s not just about the grill. It’s about honoring the spirit of the day: the gift of rest, the joy of food, the grounding of family.
And that’s something that you can bring to your table too. Whether you’re grilling chicken, tossing a salad, or throwing some hot dogs on the fire, the point is to make space for connection. Add your own non-negotiable dish- the one your kids or parents insist on. Because the end of season menu is different for all of us, but the essence is the same: family, friends and the flavor of one last summer day.
