Day for the dads

Now it’s time to make a fuss of all the dads out there, so here’s our guide to what works for different venues and how to draw families in

FATHER’S DAY 19 JUNE

With Father’s Day falling in June, the sales opportunity is a big one. Extend your offering over the entire weekend and consider promotions to increase footfall. Add a few specials to your menu and even draw up a special beer and food pairing menu – see opposite for our guide.

If you have an outdoor space, set up some games and open up the al fresco bar, if you have one, or could you create a temporary one just for Father’s Day weekend?

Fire up the barbecue, it’s a sure-fire way to attract the crowds. Who doesn’t love a barbecue – that unique taste, being able to watch your food being cooked, the theatre of a sizzling grill and food being flipped in the air!

SIZZLING

The key with barbecuing is to keep it simple. Have a hero menu item, such as a gourmet beef or pulled pork burger with various toppings, and then offer two or three other options to cover all tastes, such as sausages, chicken and lamb kebabs, with a vegetarian choice too. If you want to step up your game, then a barbecued leg of lamb would be a showstopper. Serve with salads or veg kebabs to keep it light. And think about marinades to elevate the food.

Buns are essential for a burger experience but why not try putting a burger in a taco with grated cheese, shredded lettuce and sliced red onion instead?

Depending on demand, start off cooking food in the oven and then transfer to the barbecue to finish.

Top tip

ADVERTISE YOUR OFFER IN-VENUE AND ACROSS YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

LIGHT CHOICES

For indoor dining and takeaways, curries, pies, burgers and roasts are the order of the day. As it’s summer, go for lighter roasts, such as rack of pork with peaches, lamb with chargrilled veg or lemon chicken with veg mash.

Top burger toppings

Apart from the essentials – lettuce, onion, sauces – try these toppings for something different

» bacon

» fried egg

» pineapple with barbecue sauce

» coleslaw

» mushrooms

» avocado

» mac & cheese

» pastrami, Emmental, sauerkraut & horseradish

» curry paste

» blue cheese

Best burger tips

» Use steak mince with a fat content of 15% for the juiciest, fullest flavour.

» Brioche buns are the best for burgers with their sweet taste and are strong enough to support a stacked burger, especially when toasted.

» Pickles, pickles and more pickles add crunch and flavour.

» American-style cheese slices melt well.

» Burger sauce is a must for the ultimate burger.

» Serve with a peppercorn sauce for dipping.

BEST BURGER SAUCE

Whisk together 110g mayonnaise, 60g ketchup, 2 tsp each of sweet pickle relish, granulated sugar and white vinegar, and 1 tsp ground black pepper. Serve immediately or will keep in the fridge, covered, for up to a week.

PERFECT PAIRS

Here’s our suggestions for beer and food pairings to boost incremental sales:

» Lager – burgers, pizza, salads.

» Pilsner – fish and chips.

» Pale ale – chicken, vegetarian dishes.

» IPA – curries, steak.

» Stout – seafood, Mexican-style dishes, chocolate desserts.

» Bitter – roast pork.