As Thanksgiving approaches, food content creators have been busier than ever, whipping up culinary delights in preparation for the big day. If you’ve been scrolling through social media, chances are you’ve come across mouth-watering videos of chefs crafting both savory and sweet holiday treats. These enticing recipes are likely to make an appearance at many tables this season. But once the cameras are off, what do these creators enjoy eating themselves? TikTok star and cookbook author Davon Moseley recently revealed the holiday side dish that holds a special place in his heart.

Davon Moseley has a Thanksgiving side dish he likes better than the rest

On TikTok, Moseley is better known by his handle, Royale Eats. His Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs recipe has captivated audiences with 40 million views, while his Sausage Fajita Pasta is not far behind. With a knack for infusing simple recipes with bold flavors, Moseley has amassed a wide fanbase eager to replicate his delicious creations.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, he’s published a few videos that viewers could potentially use for their holiday dinners. When it all comes down to it, he has a favorite side dish. It is one he hasn’t mentioned on TikTok in recent days. We sat down and chatted with Davon Moseley last month ahead of the release of his cookbook.  During our chat, he shared a lot about his food philosophy. He also revealed his favorite holiday side dish.

Every holiday season, Moseley looks forward to candied yams. He said, “ I don’t know why, I could just eat a bowl of just that.” Upon further introspection, he admitted that the cinnamon-and-sugar combination is probably what draws him to the classic southern side dish. The holiday season also gives him an excuse to indulge in the ultra-sweet dish without feeling any guilt.

The TikTok chef has a holiday cooking tip, too

While Moseley is pretty confident in the kitchen, whether he is cooking on an average Tuesday or during a high-pressure holiday, he has a tip for cooks who might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. The chef said he likes to focus on the energy he brings to a kitchen session. He said that his family members always told him that if you don’t actually want to make a specific dish, you shouldn’t make it. Moseley explained that he believes energy is carried over in the food.

For less confident cooks, focusing on dishes that they are confident in making or really want to try out might make the entire process a bit smoother. Moseley insists that, for him, wanting to put together a particular recipe is half the battle. Once he’s committed to making it and excited about the process, everything else falls into place.

Davon Moseley shares more tips and tricks for turning ordinary recipes into extraordinary dishes that feed the soul in his cookbook, Let’s Get Into It. The cookbook, released earlier this month, offers more than 100 recipes for novice cooks.