Building a Thanksgiving Tradition: Luc Ashley and Jaron marquis on Family, Food, and Community
Luc Ashley and Jaron Marquis, a husband-and-wife team and co-owners of Los Angeles-based television and film production company Urban Genius, have cultivated a Thanksgiving tradition deeply rooted in gratitude, service, and intentional community. Their relationship began serendipitously, meeting on separate double dates before sharing their frist official date on Thanksgiving Day.
Though, the holiday wasn’t always smooth sailing. Three years into their marriage, while living in Chicago and navigating young parenthood, Thanksgiving became the backdrop for their first significant argument. The couple found themselves stretched thin, attempting to visit six different households to ensure their children’s grandparents all received quality time with them. The day was a whirlwind of brief visits and constant travel, culminating in a hungry and exhausted return to the car. Jaron Marquis recalled securing only a small serving of green beans during the day, highlighting the chaotic nature of the holiday.
This experience prompted a pivotal decision: they would begin hosting their own Thanksgiving meal before visiting family the following day. As their careers led them from Chicago to New York and ultimately to Los Angeles, this new tradition solidified, becoming a cornerstone of their holiday celebrations.
Moving to city living broadened their viewpoint, exposing them to the needs of those without family nearby during the holidays.This awareness led them to prioritize minimizing waste and focusing on the true meaning of the season.Despite a commitment to mindful consumption, Luc Ashley’s cooking is known for its abundance and generosity, as attested to by those who have enjoyed her meals.
Their home quickly evolved into a welcoming space,particularly for transplants experiencing their first holiday away from family. This instinct to open their doors stemmed from their own experiences of being welcomed by others in the past. Luc Ashley referenced the film Coming to America, stating, “You gotta go to the right places.” For them, that “right place” became their church, were their children formed friendships and Sunday dinners expanded to include holiday gatherings.
Over time, their table became a haven for a diverse group: colleagues, single parents, friends navigating divorce, and individuals unable to travel home. Both Luc and Jaron emphasized the power of shared meals to foster connection. “Community can start from the smallest things,” Luc Ashley explained, “And food is intimate. Eating is intimate.” Jaron Marquis further highlighted the meaning of food in building relationships, drawing parallels to biblical stories where Jesus frequently shared meals with others.
Today, hosting thanksgiving is a natural rhythm for the couple. The initial arguments over holiday logistics are a thing of the past.Their only remaining yearly debate centers around Jaron Marquis’s desire to sample the desserts prepared the night before, a request consistently denied by Luc Ashley. Irrespective, their home remains open to children, friends, and anyone in need of a welcoming space, ensuring there is always enough to share.
