Q. How many calls do you expect to the Butterball® Talk-line™ on Thanksgiving Day?

A. Each person has an 8-hour shift on Thanksgiving Day and we will take about 12,000 calls where we will help that many families. Customers can also send emails to www.butterball.com and there is the option for a live chat. Information is also available on Facebook and Twitter.

Q. What is the most common question asked of the Talk-line™ representatives?

A. The most common question has been how to thaw your turkey. The second most popular question is food safety and the third is how to get the perfect turkey.

Q. What are some other comonly asked questions?

A. Other top questions include fresh and frozen turkey preparation, how to know when the turkey is done, the use of food thermometers, storage of turkey, how to cook a bone in turkey breast, time needed to cook a turkey and questions about fresh turkeys.

Q. How do you know if the turkey is done?

A. Treat yourself to a meat thermometer and get one that works well. We can give guidelines for cooking but we do know there are many variables which will affect the cooking of the turkey including pans, opening the oven door multiple times, if the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed, basting, etc. If you place the thermometer in the center of the stuffing and it registers 165 degrees, the turkey is done. We like the turkey thighs to register at 175 or 180 degrees. The breast meat is terrific at 165 or 170 degrees. Put Reynolds foil on the breast meat; that shield acts as a barrier while the rest of the turkey cooks. It is best to put the turkey on a turkey rack which allows for heat distrbution.

Q. How long has Butterball® offered the Turkey Talk-Line™?

A. We've been doing the Talk-line™ for 33 years. One million people will be affected by what we do. We have seen how popular turkey is on Thanksgiving, with wonderful food and traditions.

Q. What are the hours for the Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line™ on Thanksgiving Day?

A. Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line™ experts will be answering calls at 1-800 BUTTERBALL 7 a.m to 7 p.m. EST on Thanksgiving Day.

Q. What is the average time with a caller?

A. About three minutes; the closer you get to Thanksgiving, the questions become more intense such as how to handle power outages and late guests. Butterball® doesn't care how long the experts are on the phone with the customers. They just want to help. Some of my favorite calls are when the caller is successful going from something they are dreading to saying, "I can do that."

Q. What has been the funniest question asked?

A. A caller once said, "You are a real live person, I thought you were a computer." We talked to a man who lost a football bet and was at the grocery store. He had never cooked before and was cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people. We've had firefighters say they post our number on their signs and billboards and we're told some ministers mention the Butterball® number in their sermons. People also call about making their merange or chocolate chip cookies, gravy and stuffing. We have basic recipes and most of our experts love to cook.

Q. Do more men or women call the Talk-Line™?

A. One out of four callers are men which has been consistent for the past five years or so. Over 40 percent of men are doing the turkey part of the meal.

Q. Have callers ever shared a unique way to cook a turkey?

A. People are deep frying (firefighters have provided tips to Butterball® experts because of hot oil, etc.), cooking on a wood stove, grilling, cooking on a beach over a fire, using various cooking methods - upside down, putting fuits in the cavity, spices under the skin, marinades, etc.,

Q. Have callers ever asked questions other than those having to do with cooking a turkey?

A. We've been asked how to cook a ham and various side dishes. If we can help them, it's great.

Q. I understand men will be answering the line this year as well. How many will be working and why haven't they answered the line before?

A. We will have 60 people working, all trained at Butterball® University. This year we've added two men; we've never had men apply before and since most of our experts have worked here for many years, we didn't have any openings. The Talk-line™ is only open in November and December. Our expects enjoy it and are the type of people who like to help others. All have a food background or are dieticians; most have been recommended by someone.

Q. You have been the Talk-Line™ director for 13 years. Do you make a turkey for Thanksgiving?

A. No, my husband has been making the turkey dinner for the last 25 years. He makes cranberry sauce from scratch. He is very proud of this.

Q. Do the experts have a turkey dinner while answering the Talk-Line™ on Thanksgiving Day?

A. No. We bring in hot soups since we are in Chicago, because we all eat Thanksgiving dinner with our families when we get home.