As the festive season approaches, publicans and pub chefs have a golden opportunity to make the most of one of the busiest trading periods of the year. This comprehensive guide offers insights and ideas to help boost sales and create memorable experiences for customers, from Christmas Day feasts to New Year’s celebrations.

Festive Opportunity Knocks

With consumers eager to visit venues on special occasions, pubs and bars hold a growing share of festive trade. It’s essential not only to focus on key dates like Christmas Day and New Year but also to extend festivities into late November, Twixmas (the period between Christmas and New Year), and January. Ensure your pub’s festive experience stands out with a mix of great food, service, and special touches.

Menu Ideas to Maximise December Sales

Festive menus can be a powerful tool to attract diners. Harry Kodagoda, a seasoned pub chef, encourages chefs to take customers on “safe adventures” with familiar yet creative twists. For example, a traditional cranberry Bisto gravy or Paxo Stuffing Scotch eggs can be great menu additions. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Bottomless gravy: More than half of gravy lovers would pay extra for this feature, making it a simple upsell opportunity.
• Festive snacks: Turkey and cranberry Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and mini-Yorkshire puddings with roast turkey are perfect bar snacks to drive sales.
• Lighter fare post-Christmas: As the indulgence of Christmas passes, offer lighter options like salads, grazing boards, and soups.
• Festive Charcuterie Boards: Offer charcuterie boards with seasonal cheeses, chutneys, cured meats, and festive extras like spiced nuts and cranberry relish. This is ideal for casual diners and as an accompaniment to drinks.
• Add Festive Flare to Beverages: Create themed cocktails and mocktails using festive ingredients like cranberry, cinnamon, and gingerbread syrup. Consider a “Winter Warmer” mulled cider or hot toddy, and pair it with popular seasonal snacks for a full sensory experience.
• Signature Sharing Platters: Offer shareable festive platters featuring favourites like mini pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, and bite-sized turkey bites with gravy dipping sauce. These platters can appeal to groups, encouraging social sharing and boosting overall spend per table.
• Create a “12 Days of Christmas” Menu Special: Feature a different festive dish each day leading up to Christmas to keep diners engaged and eager to try new options. This can include unique offerings like gingerbread pork belly or spiced cranberry-glazed ribs.
• Kid-Friendly Christmas Options: Make your venue a family favourite by adding child-friendly holiday dishes, like turkey nuggets with mini roast potatoes or festive mac and cheese, so there’s something for everyone at the table.

Chef Tips for Fresh Twists on Christmas Classics

Louise Wagstaffe, a culinary advisor, suggests balancing exciting dishes with those that are simple for kitchen staff to prepare. Some of her key tips include:

• Pre-prepared components: Create dishes that can be easily assembled and prepared ahead of time.
• Utilise time-saving products: Don’t hesitate to use high-quality, time-saving ingredients like Bisto Reduced Salt Gravy, which is vegan and gluten-free.
• Highlight Veggie and Vegan Stars: Include a hearty vegetarian option like a butternut squash and chestnut Wellington or a spiced lentil loaf with cranberry glaze. These can appeal to a broader range of diners and add a unique element to the traditional menu.
• Modernise Classic Sides: Reimagine classic sides by adding seasonal twists, like truffle mash, honey-roasted rainbow carrots with thyme, or Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and pancetta. These simple upgrades can elevate the entire dining experience.
• Dessert Reimagined Savoury Sides: Give popular desserts a savoury makeover; for instance, a stuffing inspired by bread pudding with herbs, apples, and sage, or a savoury cranberry tart.
• Interactive Gravy Stations: Set up a self-serve gravy station with different varieties like classic, sage-infused, and spiced red wine gravy, allowing guests to customise their plate with a personal touch.

Gravy with Gravitas

Gravy is a key component of any festive meal. Elevate your offerings by enhancing Bisto gravy with cider, pancetta, or festive ales. Add luxurious ingredients like sage and onion or red wine for a festive touch. For poultry dishes, Bisto Poultry Gravy Granules offer a versatile base for soups, casseroles, and roasts.

Contact your local representative for more information.