Food to Go: how to give your takeaway venue a dusting of Christmas magic
Festive twists on the classics and prep for the big order nights
Restaurants: how to maximise your Christmas and New Year offering
An exclusive recipe plus our top product recommendations and ideas for boosting customer spend
Boost your staff
Short on hands for the festive rush? There’s still time to bolster your team. Advertise seasonal roles on social media, local noticeboards, community job sites and in-house posters to attract applicants quickly. Reward staff referrals with a finder’s fee, bonus gift card or an early finish after a busy shift. Run short, focused training sessions on key service points so new hires can hit the ground running. Even a few extra well-prepared team members can make a big difference to service and morale.
Sweeten the spend
Maximise spend at every table by training staff to suggest wine pairings, premium sides and post dinner nightcaps. Create a ‘little indulgences’ menu to present with desserts – think liqueur coffees, dessert wines, or sharing boards of truffles, petits fours and biscuits. Encourage team members to highlight limited-edition festive specials to spark interest and prompt impulse orders. Done well, upselling feels like great service rather than a sales pitch, enhancing the guest experience and driving revenue without slowing service.
A night to remember
Create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with a set menu paired with wine flights or champagne upgrades. Add live music to set the tone, or bring in a roaming entertainer for extra atmosphere. Surprise guests with thoughtful table touches, for example mini boxes of truffles, fortune cookies, or handwritten thank-you cards. These small gestures not only enhance the celebration but also encourage return visits in January, keeping your venue top of mind well into the new year.
Time-saving staples
Keep your festive service running smoothly with versatile, high-quality products you can trust. Meadowland Double delivers consistent results for cream-based dishes and sauces, while Callebaut chocolate is perfect for indulgent desserts – see page 44 for inspiration. Paxo stuffing, and Bisto and Knorr gravies save valuable prep time without compromising on flavour, and Macphie Brandy Sauce adds a premium finish to puddings. With these kitchen heroes in stock, you’ll save time, maintain quality and keep customers happy – and coming back for more.
Try our Clementine Panna Cotta, Berries, Brazil Nuts and Knafe recipe here.
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