With the most important and delicious time of the year upon us, now is the time to make sure your festive food and drink offering is ready to shine. Discover expert tips from our chefs Craig and Martin plus hear insights from Seamus O’Donnell, Culinary Director at The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants. Uncover Christmas menu planning tips along with standout products from our 2025 festive range, all designed to give your customers a season they’ll never forget!
Create festive menus that deliver on taste and match on margin
This festive season, make your menu both show-stopping and profitable. The key to this is designing dishes that spotlight seasonal flavours while maximising every ingredient’s value. Think festive favourites with creative twists or comforting classics with bold flavours, like our gingerbread french toast sandwiched with mincemeat, developed by Chef Martin.
Our readily available Christmas recipes support fast service without compromising on taste, while our Unlock Your Menu hub is full of tips and cost-saving tools to unlock your menu’s full potential and deliver you real value this Christmas.
“Offering a variety of portion sizes gives customers the freedom to choose what suits their appetite. Get creative with small plates or “lighter bites” for those with smaller appetites. This simple choice helps to enhance the dining experience and cuts down on plate waste.”
Our NPD pulled turkey is the standout product for Craig. If you need inspiration, serve up something special with our pulled turkey with caramelised onions and sage recipe.
“It’s extremely versatile, perfect for paninis, burger toppers, or even as a pizza topping. It’s a great way for pubs, hotels, and restaurants to make the most of their roast, using it creatively in different formats to drive revenue across all dayparts.”
Craig MilesPub Development Chef
Today’s diners are looking for more than just festive flavour; they want inclusivity, indulgence, and real value. Our extensive festive range caters to every dietary need, with a dedicated section for vegan and gluten-free products, ensuring no one is left out of the celebration.
Simultaneously, customers are seeking dishes that feel special yet familiar. Think the comforting combination of brie, bacon, and cranberry, which Chef Craig claims is a flavour that truly captures the essence of Christmas. Rich, indulgent, and full of warmth, it delivers the sense of quality and comfort diners crave. With 75% of consumers describing themselves as ‘very value-led’, using trusted ingredients and creating dishes that balance indulgence with affordability is key to keeping guests coming back for more.*
Mark every occasion
Celebrations and opportunities for revenue don’t stop at Christmas but continue well into the New Year. From office parties to New Year’s Eve celebrations, there are many occasions to engage guests and encourage return visits.
Having stand out dishes and products which capture diners’ attentions, encourage repeat visits, and celebrations beyond Christmas is crucial to sustained success. Martin Eshelby, our Food Innovation Manager advises on keeping the post-Christmas buzz alive.
“The period after Christmas can be challenging for hospitality businesses as customer numbers often dip. To keep momentum going, consider launching a New Year Chef’s Menu featuring special dishes, since it’s a great opportunity to use up remaining seasonal ingredients while offering guests something fresh and exciting.
You could also host a cooking demonstration or short course to lift those post-Christmas blues and tie it in with the January menu launch. At this time of year, lighter dishes and small plates tend to be popular as customers look for balance after the festive indulgence.
January can feel a little bleak, so think about partnering with local businesses to introduce a loyalty card scheme for future visits or encourage early bird dinner bookings to keep trade flowing. These small initiatives can help maintain engagement and build excitement well into the new year.”
Learn more about delivering a spectacular New Year’s menu here.
Streamline your supply and save time
“One of the simplest ways to keep festive service running smoothly is by taking pre-orders for parties,” suggests Chef Craig. He also recommends using name cards with each guest’s order. It’s a small step that prevents confusion, keeps guests happy, and helps the kitchen stay organised during the busy season. To make your Christmas service even more seamless, our free platform Caterers Campus offers flexible online training to empower staff and ensure operations run stress-free throughout the festive rush.
Ordering early means you secure your must-have products and take advantage of our promotions. Take the stress out of the festive rush with Bidfood Direct, which makes browsing and ordering your seasonal essentials quick and easy, while our Christmas brochure and Christmas webpages give you inspiration and guidance across all sectors.
Explore the must-have festive supplies that will elevate your Christmas catering this season with our blog here.
We caught up with Seamus O’Donnell, Culinary Director at The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants, to get an inside look at his festive inspirations, favourite ingredients, and expert kitchen tips.
How does your team approach menu planning for the festive season?
With excitement! It’s important for us to get into the Christmas spirit- so out come the Santa hats and the Christmas music in our development kitchen. We start by reviewing sales from the previous year, identifying any challenges, and absorbing feedback from customers and staff. After many brainstorming sessions, we create another spectacular menu for the year ahead.
What challenges come with creating a Christmas menu compared to a year-round menu?
A Christmas menu needs to offer the nostalgic feel of the season while still offering enough variety, so guests don’t feel like every festive event is the same. Striking that balance is key. Another major challenge is offering great value while predicting ingredient costs up to 10 months in advance- but working alongside your suppliers is key!
Do you have any advice for other chefs or operators on preparing a successful festive menu?
Knowledge is king, but education is the key to success! Take learnings from previous years; not just your own, but also from what your competitors have done. Collaborate early with your team and your supply chain partners to ensure everything runs smoothly. Planning ahead is everything.
Are there any dishes that have become customer favourites or traditions over the years?
You can’t ignore the nostalgia and tradition that surrounds turkey but delivering it in a way that’s uniquely “The Alchemist” is what makes it special. We’ve also had great fun with creative dishes like our “Drunken Dumplings,” which perfectly capture our brand’s playful, theatrical spirit.
Finishing touches
Last but not least, delivering quality experiences is about looking beyond the food. It’s about creating memorable moments that keep guests coming back. Consumers are driving the buzz around venues through social media, acting as organic brand ambassadors by sharing posts, stories, or reels of beautifully plated dishes, festive cocktails, or striking décor. Elegant settings, festive touches, and magical details await- see our full range in the brochure.
Make this Christmas unforgettable with Bidfood!
With over 60 brand-new festive products, an extensive range for every dietary need, and expert support tools across all sectors, we have everything you need to create standout menus, wow your guests, and boost revenue.
Explore our Christmas range today and bring the magic to your festive offering!
