Anyone looking for ideas for Christmas feasts, Mother’s Day brunches, or Independence Day barbecues has come to the wrong place.
Restaurants have developed seasonal specials and LTOs to bring culinary magic to these holidays for years. Some chefs are looking to spread that magic to even more dates on the calendar. From the religious to the ridiculous, the cultural to the corny, these occasions can spark menu creativity.
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Dry January: Non-alcoholic beverage sales have shot up 33 percent in the past year and are expected to keep growing as consumers become more health conscious. Dry January is the perfect time to test some mocktails. Keep diners warm with zero-proof hot toddy or Irish coffee.
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Chinese New Year: The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is typically welcomed with a feast of fish, cured meats, spring rolls, dumplings, and more. 2023 is the year of the rabbit, giving restaurants the opportunity to serve up rabbit meat or rabbit-shaped sweets.
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Pi Day: On March 14, restaurants can celebrate the much-loved mathematical constant with pizzas, pies, hand pies, meat pies, or a $3.14 discount on menu items.
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Ramadan: Fasting is a key part of the Muslim holy month, but so is food. Dates, kebabs, naan, and other foods are enjoyed after sunset and at Eid al-Fitr, a three-day festival. Offering halal menu options during April (or the whole year, for that matter) can help restaurants be more inclusive of Muslim patrons.
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Nurse Appreciation: In May 2021, National Nurses Week was expanded to a month-long celebration. Why not continue dedicating a month to honoring our nurses? Offer special deals and freebies as well as zero-prep carryout meals for nurses who typically eat on the go.
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National Soul Food Month: June is packed with Pride, summer weather, and Father’s Day. It’s also a month for celebrating the soul food of African Americans and people from the African diaspora. Restaurants can participate by serving up fried fish, callaloo, jambalaya, and more. Consider offering a brief history or fact about the dishes or partnering with Black-owned food brands on menu items.
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World UFO Day: July 2 is a day when people watch the skies for UFOs, but who says it can’t last the whole month? Get weird with UFO-shaped desserts or slime green beverages that look straight out of an alien lab. Have outdoor dining? Host UFO sighting events with a special menu.
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National Sandwich Month: In August, restaurants can capitalize on our universal love of sandwiches. Test the limits with sky-high sandwiches. Replace bread slices and buns with donuts and seaweed. Go for unusual fillings like potato chips or baked beans. As kids end their summer break, offer special sandwich lunches, packaged to take to school.
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Hispanic Heritage Month: Latin cuisine has overtaken Italian fare as the food of choice for Gen Z. But many still don’t understand the culinary diversity across Spanish-speaking cultures. To celebrate Hispanic heritage in September, highlight a range of Hispanic dishes under the guidance of chefs from specific regions.
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Diwali: The Hindu festival of light includes bountiful feasts of samosas, pakoras, and sweets. Coffee shops can embrace the holiday with specials inspired by chai or pumpkin halwa, a dessert with pumpkin, cardamon, and sugar. In addition to offering items based on traditional dishes, restaurants can partner with Indian artists to decorate their dining rooms with diyas and rangoli.
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Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month: Once an uncommon term, celiac disease is now a major worldwide health problem. It’s important for restaurants to be inclusive of multiple diets year round, but in November, operators can draw more attention to gluten intolerance through offering special menu items and sharing stories and facts about gluten and celiac disease.
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Month of Giving: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa: these holidays all take place in December and all focus on generosity and food. Restaurants can capture the spirit of giving in creative ways. Offer a discount to patrons who donate a toy, make dishes available to take home as gifts, hand out gift cards to healthcare workers and first responders—there are plenty of ways to practice or encourage giving.