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Sizzling food, warming drinks and cracking entertainment ideas to help your venue make the most of these events
Top tips to get your venue prepped early for Christmas
Follow our advice to give yourself a less stressful build-up to the busiest season
The best festive trading doesn’t happen by magic, it happens by planning. Starting early helps you lock in bookings, manage costs and deliver the kind of Christmas guests will remember – and want to rebook. It also means fewer surprises when December hits. From freezer-friendly prep and cost-savvy cocktails, here are some tips to get ahead and take the stress out of the festive rush...
Prep now, chill later
Start prepping any festive dishes that can be made in advance and frozen. Think ice cream-based desserts, soups, sauces and even stuffing. Portion and package well to protect quality and prevent freezer burn. And make sure you label everything clearly with freeze dates and use-by guidance. Defrost gently in the fridge for best results. Not sure how long things can be frozen? Check product guidance and food safety recommendations. Getting the groundwork done early also helps free up valuable prep space and staff hours when the heat is on in December. Your future self – and your team – will thank you!
Get the recipe for Maple-Glazed Carrots here.
Smart store cupboard swaps
Simplify your kitchen with multi-tasking products. For example, use Bisto Gluten Free Gravy Granules to cover all your gravy bases – meat, veggie and gluten-free. Keep supplies of Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix and customise with sausage meat for meat eaters, or nuts for veggies and vegans. Choose long-life ingredients like cranberry sauce, tinned chestnuts or frozen berries, so you can stock up early without waste. These smart buys save space, money and stress when the festive frenzy begins.
Clever menu planning
If it works in one dish, make it work in three. Chorizo scattered as a soup garnish, added to a special stuffing, or crisped up for brunch? Absolutely. Reinvent roasties into next-day bubble and squeak, or use leftover turkey for toasties and pies. A streamlined menu with clever crossovers means less waste, more profit and fewer late-night prep shifts.
“Getting ahead for Christmas is all about smart prep and thoughtful menu planning. Get a head start by making and freezing festive classics like braised red cabbage, batch-making mince pies, and prepping desserts. Shortcut ingredients like Bisto gravy and Ambrosia custard can significantly reduce prep pressure in the kitchen – saving time without compromising on quality”
- Louise Wagstaffe, Senior Culinary Advisor, Premier Foods
Stand out Santa twists
Turkey and Christmas pudding are non-negotiables, but everything else is up for grabs. Try roasties with garlic and parmesan, Marmite butter on sprouts, or a pistachio and cranberry trifle. Mincemeat brownies, maple-glazed carrots, gingerbread cheesecake… the options really are endless! Give your menu a signature twist to stand out from the crowd, while keeping the classics people expect.
Get the recipe for the Christmas Toastie here.
Pour more profit this festive season
Get the classics covered
Order your core drinks now – wine, fizz and crowd-pleasing beer. Choose bubbles that match your customers’ price point and stock up on favourites like Carling and Madri. Securing your staples early avoids stress and keeps your drinks list suitably festive.
Crack the cocktails
Use premium spirits your customers love, (think Grey Goose Vodka), but balance them with quality, lower cost liqueurs, like those from Riviera. It’s a clever way to serve cocktails that feel indulgent and have smart margins. Now that’s a festive win!
Try our Pom-tini recipe here.
Stock up on seasonal sips
Mulled wine is a festive favourite so spread the Christmas cheer to all your customers with beautifully blended and ready to serve, alcohol-free Eisberg Mulled Wine.
Christmas Planning
01 September
Plan Menus
Start working on your festive food and drinks menus now to make life easier for you and your staff, and help forecast orders accurately.
15 September
Launch and Promote
Share your menus with regulars, email lists and across socials. Add QR codes in-venue too. Start taking group bookings and consider early-bird perks like free fizz or table upgrades. This is your chance to stand out from the competition.
22 September
Entertainment
Secure any DJs or live acts to make sure you don’t miss out. Decide on your festive theme and order decorations to avoid price hikes.
29 September
Order Stock
Start your Christmas stock conversations, especially for ordering meat, dry goods and drinks. Popular items will have limited availability or longer lead times, so order early. Speak to suppliers about trends, pre-orders and any volume deals that could save you time or money.
06 October
Seasonal Staff
Good staff get snapped up fast for December. Post job ads, update your socials and contact reliable past team members.
20 October
Train Your Team
Brief your staff on menus, upsells and service. Hold tastings so everyone knows how to serve consistently.
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