What is a food holiday
As a restaurant owner, you know that food is more than just sustenance. Food is also a way to bring people together, a way to celebrate traditions, and a way to explore new cultures. And what better way to celebrate food than with a food holiday?
Food holidays are a great way to get creative with your cuisine, attract new customers, and show your existing customers that you're always pushing the boundaries. In this article, we'll explore the ultimate food holiday calendar for restaurants in 2024 and give you some tips on how to make the most of these food holidays.
We'll cover:
- What is a food holiday
- Why food holidays matter for restaurants
- The ultimate UK food holiday calendar for restaurants
- How to celebrate food holidays in your restaurant
A food holiday is a special day dedicated to celebrating and honouring a particular type of cuisine, ingredient, or culinary tradition. It is a joyful occasion that brings food enthusiasts together to indulge in their favourite dishes and explore new flavours.
Food holidays have gained immense popularity in recent years, with people eagerly anticipating these delicious celebrations throughout the year. From Fish and Chips Day to BBQ Week, these food-centric holidays offer a delightful excuse to savour delectable treats and discover culinary gems.
Food holidays not only provide an opportunity to enjoy mouthwatering delicacies but also serve as a platform to appreciate the rich cultural diversity and traditions associated with different cuisines. Whether it's trying a new recipe, visiting a local food festival, or gathering with loved ones for a themed feast, food holidays allow us to connect, explore, and celebrate the universal love for food.
Why food holidays matter for restaurants
Food holidays are a fantastic way to celebrate and explore the diversity of food and the culture that it is a part of. They offer a unique opportunity to bring people together over shared food experiences. Food holidays are celebrated all over the world, and each one has its own unique significance and traditions.
For restaurants and chefs, food holidays are an excellent opportunity to showcase their culinary skills and experiment with new recipes. By creating special menus or dishes inspired by the holiday, restaurants can attract new customers and generate buzz around their establishment.
Food holidays are also a great way to engage with customers on social media, by sharing behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the preparation process.
Ultimately, food holidays matter because they celebrate the importance of food in our lives. Food is not just fuel for our bodies, but a way to connect with others, explore different cultures, and create lasting memories. So the next time a food holiday rolls around, take the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy all that food has to offer!
The ultimate UK Food Holiday Calendar
There are so many days dedicated to food, in fact, that keeping track of them all can be a tough order!
To bring your restaurant up-to-date with the food world’s events, celebrations, and festivities, we’ve put together this UK Food Holiday Calendar for 2024. As a complete record of the industry’s holidays, this calendar keeps your business in touch with customers’ cravings – and spending habits.
From chocolate to pizza and far beyond, our UK Food Holiday Calendar is your restaurant’s key to fun, timely service. Use it as a cheat sheet to plan out specials, promotions, and new dishes, and get customers excited to order from you. No matter what day your restaurant is celebrating, you can make the most of it with this calendar and Otter!
January
January 1 - January 31: Veganuary
January 1 - January 31: Gin-uary
January 6: UK National Shortbread Day
January 16: International Hot & Spicy Food Day
February
February 2: International Crepe Day
February 4: British Yorkshire Pudding Day
February 5: World Nutella Day
February 9: World Pizza Day
February 13: Shrove Tuesday, or International Pancake Day
February 17 - 25: UK Real Bread Week
February 26 - March 3: UK Cornish Pasty Week
March
March 4 - March 10: UK British Pie Week
March 4 - March 10: UK National Butcher’s Week (second week of March)
March 21: International Tiramisu Day
March 25: International Waffle Day
April
April 5: World Caramel Day
April 11: World Cheese Fondue Day
April 21: UK National Tea Day
April 24: Stop Food Waste Day (last week of April)
April 26: World Pretzel Day
April 23 - April 30: UK British Beef Week
May
May 11: Eat What You Want Day
May 13: International Hummus Day
May 16: International Pickle Day
May 16 - May 22: UK Sandwich Week
May 22 - June 5: UK British Tomato Fortnight
May 27 - June 2: UK National BBQ Week
May 28: International Hamburger Day
May 29: UK National Biscuit Day
May 30: International Potato Day
June
June 1: World Milk Day
June 6: UK National Fish and Chips Day (first Friday of June)
June 6: International Donut Day (first Friday of June)
June 12: International Falafel Day
June 15: Beer Day Britain
June 18: International Sushi Day
June 17-25: UK National Picnic Week (third week of June)
June 30: UK National Cream Tea Day (last Friday of June)
July
July 3 - July 9: British Pea Week
July 7: World Chocolate Day
July 12: World French Fries Day (second Friday of July)
July 16: UK National Cherry Day
July 31: UK National Ice Cream Day (third Sunday of July)
August
August 5: International Beer Day
August 8: UK National Oatcake Day
August 12 - August 18: UK Afternoon Tea Week (second week in August)
August 22: World Plant Milk Day
August 31: International Bacon Day
September
September 1 - September 30: UK National Mushroom Month
September 1: UK National Tofu Day
September 4: Eat an Extra Dessert Day
September 5 - September 11: UK National Cake Week
September 7: World Salami Day
September 20: World Paella Day
October
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 1: International Coffee Day
October 2 - October 8: UK National Curry Week
October 4: World Taco Day
October 11: World Egg Day (second Friday of October)
October 14 - October 20: UK National Baking Week
October 20: International Chef’s Day
October 24 - November 3: UK National Sausage Week
October 25: World Pasta Day
November
November 1: World Vegan Day
November 3: World Sandwich Day
November 7 - November 13: Great British Game Week
November 9: British Pudding Day
November 24: Stir-up Sunday
December
December 2: UK English Breakfast Day
December 4: International Cookie Day
How to celebrate food holidays in your restaurant
So, how do you celebrate food holidays in your restaurant? Here are some tips:
1. Offer special menu items
Make the food holiday even more memorable for your customers by crafting special menu items that showcase the essence of the celebrated cuisine or ingredient. Create unique dishes or incorporate traditional favourites with a creative twist.
Highlight these special menu items on your regular menu or create a separate menu section dedicated to the food holiday. Remember to provide enticing descriptions that evoke the flavours and aromas of the dishes, tempting your customers to try something new and exciting.
2. Decorate your restaurant
Create a festive atmosphere with decorations that match the food holiday. Transform your restaurant into a festive space that reflects the spirit of the food holiday. Decorations can range from subtle touches to bold statements, depending on the theme and ambiance you want to create.
Consider using props or displays related to the cuisine or ingredient being celebrated. A well-decorated restaurant not only sets the mood for the occasion but also creates a welcoming and immersive experience for your diners.
3. Promote on social media
Celebrating holidays, internet holidays, and cultural moments on your restaurant’s social channels is key to incentivising engagement. Leverage the power of social media to generate excitement and attract a wider audience for your food holiday celebration.
Here are some ideas you can try:
- Create engaging posts that showcase your special menu items
- Use relevant hashtags related to the food holiday and encourage customers to share their experiences using your restaurant's branded hashtag
- Run contests or giveaways that encourage social media engagement, such as tagging friends or posting food photos
- Collaborate with influencers or food bloggers who have a strong online presence to amplify your reach and generate buzz around your food holiday festivities.
Beyond scheduling holiday-centric content in advance, make sure you’re engaging and connecting with your customers rather than just using a strange holiday to make random content. Some people tend to steer away from this type of content because if executed incorrectly, it doesn’t drive much value.
4. Collaborate with local producers or restaurants
Create partnerships with local producers or suppliers to showcase local ingredients or dishes on the special menu. Incorporate their products into your special menu items, and highlight the partnership on your menu or through dedicated promotional materials.
This adds a unique touch to your offerings and creates a narrative around sustainability and supporting local businesses, resonating with customers who value these principles.
You can also partner with other restaurants. Let’s say you have a brunch spot and want to celebrate World Pizza Day. Why not partner with a local pizza restaurant to craft a unique dish?
5. Offer discounts or freebies
Reward your customers and entice new ones by offering exclusive discounts or freebies during the food holiday celebration.
Consider offering a special promotion, such as a percentage off the bill or a complimentary appetiser, when customers order specific menu items related to the food holiday. Advertise these offers prominently on your website, delivery apps, social media platforms, and in-house signage to ensure maximum visibility. Limited-time promotions create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to visit your restaurant and indulge in the festivities while enjoying great savings or additional treats.
By celebrating food holidays in your restaurant, you can attract new customers, engage with existing ones, and show your culinary creativity. So, get ready to mark your calendars and celebrate the ultimate food holiday calendar for restaurants in 2024!
