Celebrating monthly food holidays allows guests to be treated to something unique, can attract a new group of visitors, can give staff something to look forward to, and can help you get attention from first-timers.
Here are some of the September food holidays you could choose to celebrate:
September 5: International Bacon Day
Everybody loves bacon, right? This is an ingredient that’s so versatile that it can be used in everything from mains dessert to beverage garnishes but making it the star of the menu is the key to this day. Think about offering a new experience for your guests like a bacon board, flight of sweet and salty desserts, or add it to unexpected dishes like guac or mac and cheese. Take the opportunity to feature bacon wherever you can and promote your bacon-focused menu to drive traffic and attract attention.
September 7: National Acorn Squash Day
Summer’s still here for a while longer, but here’s your chance to start to embrace the comforting flavours of fall. While it may be too early for soup, create a squash ravioli, add it to pizza, or incorporate it in a salad for a fresh take. Make the most of some of the popular flavour trends by pairing it with hot honey, embracing spicier global influences to balance the sweetness, or add it to colourful plant-based bowls to entice your vegetarian guests.
September 19: International Eat an Apple Day
Here’s a food holiday for the whole family. From apple desserts to appletinis, there are hundreds of ways you can celebrate apples on your menu. If you are looking to raise the bar, consider offering free apples with purchase, adding them to your charcuterie board, or creating a signature dish like your own apple slaw or elevating your existing menu with an apple brie burger.
September 26: National Dumpling Day
As global influence continues to influence many diner choices, adding dumplings to the menu – even for a day – can help you stay trendy and get attention. You could offer a sampler platter with a variety of styles and flavours, create your own fusion filling, or offer a sweet version to mix it up.
If you want to engage with your guests, you could offer dumpling-making classes, create a DIY station to create new sauces, or even set up tableside cooking stations to get guests talking to the chef.
With back to school on the horizon, September can be a busy month for many people, so make it exciting for guests to visit your restaurant and celebrate some of the month’s best food holidays!
