It’s almost that time of year again. Where for one day, it’s acceptable to eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Piled high, sprinkled with sugar and a squeeze of lemon - or maybe you prefer them drenched in maple syrup and served with crispy bacon. It is, of course, Pancake Day. Or Shrove Tuesday as it’s formally known. An Anglo-Saxon Christian tradition, the religious association of Shrove Tuesday began because the day preceding Ash Wednesday presented an opportunity to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar, before Lent. It always falls on a Tuesday, but never on the same date, as it must always be 47-days before Easter Sunday. However, over time, the old age tradition has become a favourite of many - religious o...
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we’re sure there are lots of excited guests, hungry to see what special menu you’re going to put together. It may not be the most favoured ‘holiday’ of the year but it’s still one that’s celebrated by many, and is sure to boost your sales. If you do it right… We’d recommend curating a menu, this could be themed by cuisine: Italian, Indian, British, French etc. Or, it could be a fusion of dishes, sharing plates and platters… It is the day of love after all, and people are quite happy to share. For top tips on how to get the most out of Valentine’s Day, take a look at our previous article, here. And for some recipe inspiration, keep reading… We’d suggest putting toget...
When we think about creating plant-based meals, the children’s menu can often be overlooked. But there’s no reason that any less attention or creativity should be given to the curation of a children’s menu. We should be feeding young minds with information and options, so they can make their own choices, whether that’s the sport they want to play or food they prefer to eat.With more and more families cooking plant-based meals at home, children are becoming much more adventurous with what they eat. Some may have even been brought up on a strict vegan diet, and almost half (42%) of British kids are worried about the future and environment, which is why it’s ever more important to feature exciting plant-based meals on your menu. One...
We have collectively, and individually, spent many months indoors. This has led to a rise in people being active outside as much as possible, and the growth in outdoor sports is almost unprecedented.In particular; road and mountain biking, trail running, hiking and climbing have all seen a significant increase in participants and spending. Unfortunately, these customers are poorly served when it comes to offering food for their activities.There are some amazing trailhead/car parking locations spread across the country, these spots are potential goldmines for a dedicated customer base. There could be great opportunities to have a pop-up cafe on the weekends or busy summer evenings. Additionally, restaurants and cafes near office hubs and cit...
The number of consumers choosing to eat plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) is growing every year. During January, in particular, we see a huge rise, largely due to ‘Veganuary’, which is now becoming something of a trend. Eating a plant-based diet has become increasingly easier. Ten years ago the number of meat substitutes was minimal. It was either a processed frozen piece of ‘chicken’ or ‘sausage’. Or the alternative was simply sticking to uninspiring dishes of pasta, risotto or plain tofu. It’s the former days of meat-substitutes that’s given PBMA a bad rep – many contained palm oil, unnecessary preservatives or sweeteners. But fast forward 10 years and the industry has come on leaps and bounds, yet some people still...
People always overindulge at Christmas. It’s just so hard to resist that extra pig in blanket, ball of stuffing, or tasting a bit of every dessert on the table. And why not, it only happens once a year. The trouble is, come January, everyone immediately decides they need to go on a health kick, whether that’s simply just eating a little healthier, consuming less meat, giving up alcohol or joining a gym; some resolutions last, others crumble within a couple of weeks. January is generally a quiet month for the hospitality business or for any business owner in fact. A large part of this is people staying in to avoid the temptation of breaking their ‘detox’ or ‘resolution’. Another reason is to save a few pennies after what’s bee...
January can be a tough month to navigate when it comes to food. It’s cold; dark; and damp. And while most people are wanting to eat a healthy diet, there’s nothing more unfulfilling than a salad on a blustery winter’s day. Luckily, there are plenty of hearty recipes out there that with just a few simple tweaks, can be given a healthy twist. Simple swaps like using creme fraiche or yoghurt instead of cream, using root vegetables for mash instead of potatoes, baking instead of frying, or even swapping meat for a meat-free alternative like pulses, which are a great source of protein. We’ll be taking a deeper dive into some plant-based recipes for the New Year, coming very soon…Below are a few recipes to inspire you, many of which ca...
Christmas is coming around fast, and before we know it, streets will be filled with twinkling lights, houses with Christmas trees, and the radio will be playing all our favourite festive songs. By now, most people have probably already had their first mince pie, sausage roll, or Santa-shaped chocolate – shops have had them on the shelves since October – and are slowly starting to feel the Christmas spirit. As we draw further into the Christmas season, people will be starting to think about Christmas parties and get-togethers. With the pressure on from their colleagues or friends to find the best restaurant, they’ll begin their search for a Christmas feast to remember. When it comes to planning your Christmas menu, whether you’re ...
When you walk into a food shop, be it a supermarket or newsagents, at the entrance or by the till they always place sweet treats to capture your attention… and they almost always do, especially if it’s a good offer. It’s a technique you don’t see often in restaurants, bars and cafes, but there’s no reason it shouldn’t be. If this isn’t already something you do, Christmas could be the time to start. You’ll often see beautifully packaged homemade chocolates, biscuits and cakes in places like farm shops. They always look so appealing, the perfect gift, whether you’re popping to see family or friends, need something for a last minute secret santa… or just want something to enjoy with your afternoon coffee. This festive s...
Christmas pudding is one of the biggest family dividers every single year – a close second being Brussel sprouts. Some people can’t wait to dive into the dense and fruity, booze-filled cake, drenched in custard or cream – probably all laced with further brandy. Others can’t stand the rich pud and long for something a little lighter but just as fulfilling. Giving a festive edge to some of the nation’s favourite desserts is actually quite simple, all you have to do is spike them with spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, or add fruits such as orange and cranberry – a little brandy or whiskey wouldn’t hurt either. Everyone loves a crumble. Give it a Christmassy edge but combine a little mincemeat with the apple, and serve ...
Creating a vegan menu can sound like quite the challenge, especially if it isn’t a way of cooking that you’re used to. Thankfully, over the last few years, creating vegan dishes has become much easier, with alternatives to foods like cream, butter, yoghurt, and even meat, becoming readily available – and they’re actually pretty good too! According to The Vegan Society, the number of vegans in the UK has increased by 445,428 people (40%) over the past 12 months, so if you’re looking for a Christmas menu that appeals to everyone, having vegan alternatives amongst the festive staples is a winning combination. These tried and tested vegan recipes are perfect for Christmas. It’s amazing how much flavour you can create just by t...
There’s something very satisfying about a toasted sandwich. So warming and comforting, and yet really rather simple. It only takes a few ingredients to make a good toastie, butter and cheese being the glue that holds most together, resulting in a perfectly charred crust, and mouth-watering ‘cheese pull’ – it’s got over 175k tags on Instagram. Anyone can make a toasted sandwich, and in fact, they’re a rather common item on many menus, but making a good one; one that’s talked about; one that people come back for, now that’s quite an art. First, let’s start with good bread. Sourdough is my personal favourite but you could get away with a thick white or even granary. Next, we need to layer on the flavour. Cheese and h...
