As a restaurant owner, you know that food is more than just sustenance. Food is also a way to bring people together, a way to celebrate traditions, and a way to explore new cultures. And what better way to celebrate food than with a food holiday?
Food holidays are a great way to get creative with your cuisine, attract new customers, and show your existing customers that you're always pushing the boundaries. In this article, we'll explore the ultimate food holiday calendar for restaurants in 2023 and give you some tips on how to make the most of these food holidays.
We’ll cover:
- What is a food holiday
- Why food holidays matter for restaurants
- The ultimate Australia food holiday calendar for restaurants
- How to celebrate food holidays in your restaurant
What is a food holiday
A food holiday is a special day dedicated to celebrating and honouring a particular type of cuisine, ingredient, or culinary tradition. It is a joyful occasion that brings food enthusiasts together to indulge in their favourite dishes and explore new flavours.
Food holidays have gained immense popularity in recent years, with people eagerly anticipating these delicious celebrations throughout the year. From International Coffee Day to Vegan Month, these food-centric holidays offer a delightful excuse to savour delectable treats and discover culinary gems.
Food holidays not only provide an opportunity to enjoy mouthwatering delicacies but also serve as a platform to appreciate the rich cultural diversity and traditions associated with different cuisines. Whether it's trying a new recipe, visiting a local food festival, or gathering with loved ones for a themed feast, food holidays allow us to connect, explore, and celebrate the universal love for food.
Why food holidays matter for restaurants
Food holidays are a fantastic way to celebrate and explore the diversity of food and the culture that it is a part of. They offer a unique opportunity to bring people together over shared food experiences. Food holidays are celebrated all over the world, and each one has its own unique significance and traditions.
For restaurants and chefs, food holidays are an excellent opportunity to showcase their culinary skills and experiment with new recipes. By creating special menus or dishes inspired by the holiday, restaurants can attract new customers and generate buzz around their establishment.
Food holidays are also a great way to engage with customers on social media, by sharing behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the preparation process.
Ultimately, food holidays matter because they celebrate the importance of food in our lives. Food is not just fuel for our bodies, but a way to connect with others, explore different cultures, and create lasting memories. So the next time a food holiday rolls around, take the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy all that food has to offer!
The ultimate Australia Food Holiday Calendar
There are so many days dedicated to food, in fact, that keeping track of them all can be a tough order!
To bring your restaurant up-to-date with the food world’s events, celebrations, and festivities, we’ve put together this Australia Food Holiday Calendar for 2023. As a complete record of the industry’s holidays, this calendar keeps your business in touch with customers’ cravings – and spending habits.
From chocolate to pizza and far beyond, our Australia Food Holiday Calendar is your restaurant’s key to fun, timely service. Use it as a cheat sheet to plan out specials, promotions, and new dishes, and get customers excited to order from you. No matter what day your restaurant is celebrating, you can make the most of it with this calendar and Otter!
January
January 1 - January 31 - Veganuary
January 4: International Spaghetti Day
January 16: International Hot and Spicy Food Day
January 31: International Hot Chocolate Day
February
February 2: International Crepe Day
February 5: World Nutella Day
February 9: World Pizza day
February 16: Australia National Tim Tam Day
February 18: Global Wine Day
February 18 - February 26: International Real Bread Week
March
March 7: Plant Power Day
March 9: International Crab Day
March 18 (third Saturday of March): Australia National Prawn Day
March 30: World Macaron Day
March 25: International Waffle Day
April
April 4: International Carrot Day
April 11: World Cheese Fondue Day
April 16: Eggs Benedict Day
April 26: Stop Food Waste Day
May
May 11: Eat what you want day
May 13: International Hummus Day
May 17: World Baking Day
May 21: International Tea Day
May 28: International Hamburger Day
June
June 1: World Milk Day
June 2 (first Friday of June): International Donut Day
June 4: Fish and Chip Day
June 12: International Falafel Day
June 16: Australia National Vegemite Day
June 18: International Sushi Day
June 18: International Picnic Day
July
July 7: World Chocolate Day
July 13: World French Fries Day
July 16 (third Sunday of July): Ice Cream Day
August
August 4 (first Friday of August): International Beer Day
August 22: World Plant Milk Day
September
September 2 (first Saturday of September): International Bacon Day
September 4: Eat an Extra Dessert Day
September 7: World Salami Day
September 20: World Paella Day
September 26: World Dumpling Day
September 28: World Marmite Day
October
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 1: International Coffee Day
October 4: World Taco Day
October 9: International Beer and Pizza Day
October 13 (second Friday of October): World Egg Day
October 16: World Food Day
October 19: Australia National Seafood Day
October 25: World Pasta Day
November
November 1: World Vegan Day
November 3: World Sandwich Day
December
December 4: International Cookie Day
How to celebrate food holidays in your restaurant
So, how do you celebrate food holidays in your restaurant? Here are some tips:
1. Offer special menu items
Make the food holiday even more memorable for your customers by crafting special menu items that showcase the essence of the celebrated cuisine or ingredient. Create unique dishes or incorporate traditional favourites with a creative twist.
Highlight these special menu items on your regular menu or create a separate menu section dedicated to the food holiday. Remember to provide enticing descriptions that evoke the flavours and aromas of the dishes, tempting your customers to try something new and exciting.
2. Decorate your restaurant
Create a festive atmosphere with decorations that match the food holiday. Transform your restaurant into a festive space that reflects the spirit of the food holiday. Decorations can range from subtle touches to bold statements, depending on the theme and ambiance you want to create.
Consider using props or displays related to the cuisine or ingredient being celebrated. A well-decorated restaurant not only sets the mood for the occasion but also creates a welcoming and immersive experience for your diners.
3. Promote on social media
Celebrating holidays, internet holidays, and cultural moments on your restaurant’s social channels is key to incentivising engagement. Leverage the power of social media to generate excitement and attract a wider audience for your food holiday celebration.
Here are some ideas you can try:
- Create engaging posts that showcase your special menu items
- Use relevant hashtags related to the food holiday and encourage customers to share their experiences using your restaurant's branded hashtag
- Run contests or giveaways that encourage social media engagement, such as tagging friends or posting food photos
- Collaborate with influencers or food bloggers who have a strong online presence to amplify your reach and generate buzz around your food holiday festivities.
Beyond scheduling holiday-centric content in advance, make sure you’re engaging and connecting with your customers rather than just using a strange holiday to make random content. Some people tend to steer away from this type of content because if executed incorrectly, it doesn’t drive much value.
4. Collaborate with local producers or restaurants
Create partnerships with local producers or suppliers to showcase local ingredients or dishes on the special menu. Incorporate their products into your special menu items, and highlight the partnership on your menu or through dedicated promotional materials.
This adds a unique touch to your offerings and creates a narrative around sustainability and supporting local businesses, resonating with customers who value these principles.
You can also partner with other restaurants. Let’s say you have a brunch spot and want to celebrate World Pizza Day. Why not partner with a local pizza restaurant to craft a unique dish?
5. Offer discounts or freebies
Reward your customers and entice new ones by offering exclusive discounts or freebies during the food holiday celebration.
Consider offering a special promotion, such as a percentage off the bill or a complimentary appetiser, when customers order specific menu items related to the food holiday. Advertise these offers prominently on your website, delivery apps, social media platforms, and in-house signage to ensure maximum visibility. Limited-time promotions create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to visit your restaurant and indulge in the festivities while enjoying great savings or additional treats.
