Embrace the magic of the season, inspired by the 12 Days of Performance! Discover inspiration for your holiday celebrations through fresh ideas, recipes, LTOs, and exciting new products. Ready for it?
On the first day of Performance, my chef brainstormed for me…..
1. A Plate Full of Leftover Turkeys
On Black Friday when no one wants to cook, feature LTOs that showcase the best part of Thanksgiving — the leftovers! Ground up some turkey for a piping plate of Bolognese, or give your turkey a Hawaiian punch with a Huli Huli Turkey Kona Bowl: a healthy rice bowl packed with white or dark meat, Peak Fresh Produce® Tomatoes, pineapple, and avocado, drizzled with a tangy ginger soy sauce. "Leftovers Day" is also the time to mark down the rest of that ‘24 merch you've been sitting on for all the frenzied shoppers out there to snag.
2. Charcuterie Cheeses
No celebration is complete without cheese! Host a cheese tasting (and/or wine pairing!) event for an afternoon or evening and let people wander, while they sample from around the country — and world.
Magellan® offers two variety boxes that will cover enough ground alone! Straight from the Dairy State, the Wisconsin box holds various ages of cow's milk cheese that will impress any cheese connoisseur. Magellan's International Pub-Style Cheese Wedge Variety Box boasts a Mayan coffee rubbed cheese, a red wine-soaked goat cheese, and more.
Magellan also offers Sun-dried Fruit and Nut and Seed variety boxes that will perfectly round out the tasting's accoutrement.
3. Dips for Dipping
Yes, charcuterie will always have a spot at the table, but have you heard of a dip board? Serve up a Contigo® board featuring nacho cheese and western guacamole with crispy, new corn tortilla chips for gameday, or elevate your dips for any holiday party or catered event.
Empire's Treasure® now offers a variety of smoked seafood dips that will take your snacking to the gourmet level. Try the smoked Mahi-Mahi dip — a mayo base with lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, pepper, dry mustard, and hot sauce. Pair a few choices among a scattering of crackers, veggies, and even bagel bites for an app to add pizazz to any holiday gathering.
4. Loaded Fries
With poutine now commonplace in restaurants across the U.S., plain ole fries always just beg for more toppings! And Roma® Crisp Take™ French Fries are even pre-cut to save on labor and cost. Sprinkling and drizzling a big basket of fries ups the visual value and allows for even better profits.
Try a holiday poutine featuring cheese curds and gravy — of course — but with added cranberries, stuffing, and turkey to boot. No table will be able to resist these Festive Holiday Loaded Fries during the holidays. Think of rotating in other weekly flavor combos too. Contigo Mexican-Style Roasted Street Corn Dip will rock your fries with roasted corn, jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar, and spices.
5. Juicy Steaks
For a bright twist for the meat-eaters, combine the zest of orange and lemon with bursting cranberries and fresh green herbs for a holiday gremolata that can be spooned atop a juicy cut of black Angus beef. Consider Braveheart® Angus Hanging Tender Steak, or any of the exclusive brand’s highly-marbled tenderloins, filets, or T-bones. Braveheart's dedication to sourcing, feeding, and processing results in the most flavorful cuts.
6. Stellar Seafood Feasts
Who says roasts have to rule the roost? Celebrate the holidays under the sea with Bay Winds® tantalizing wild-caught Spanish Octopus. With its firm texture and versatile white meat, this vitamin-rich protein has endless applications, all of which will feel special enough for a holiday feast. And by being sourced from fully sustainable and fully traceable day boat production, you and your guests can enjoy the story as well.
Also sustainably-sourced, Bay Winds Faroe Islands North Atlantic Salmon provides a healthy, Omega-3-rich option for the holiday plate. And be sure to name the Faroe Islands on your menu — chefs and diners alike recognize it as the most perfect salmon in the world.
7. Decadent Desserts
A fun idea that would be easy to implement is a dessert advent calendar. Make your pick every morning and announce your "dessert of the day" on your Instagram stories. You'll quickly gain a following of folks who can't wait to see the flavor of the day!
Check out Sweet Encore® Brownie Chocolate Cheesecake and Reese's® Brownie Slices for a pre-packaged option that is perfect for take-home orders! From pre-sliced cakes, to tiramisu, pies, and brownies — the more variety, the more surprise!
8. Handhelds for Travel
Many can't escape the holidays without travel. Advertising a travel-friendly, grab-n-go menu that's still packed full of delicious quality will win you followers. Especially if you can make it as easy as possible for parents traveling with young kiddos.
Start with a few gourmet sandwich options: West Creek® Sliced Oven-Browned Skinless Turkey Breast is a classic start to a stacked ciabatta with arugula and housemade aioli. Traveling foodies will geek out over a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, featuring West Creek Green Tomatoes that are already breaded and fried, a decadent slice of Allegiance® Pork Belly, and balanced out with a tart cranberry coulis. Pile it all into First Mark® segmented hinged to-go containers with compartments ready for sliced apples and crispy potato wedges.
9. Picture Perfect Pies
Never underestimate the power of pizza — especially when families get together. For pre- and post- feasts, and those late nights after hours, pizza reigns supreme. Run a special on pizzas to boost late-night sales.
No matter if you go traditional with sausage and mushroom, or gourmet with pear and fig, choose Bacio® Cheese for the perfect and necessary melty cheese. Whether block or shredded, the motto "With a Kiss of Buffalo Milk®" signifies distinctive stretch and meltability every time.
10. Breakfast Bites
There's nothing like a holiday brunch to bring in big families and groups wanting to continue the festivities. Run buffet specials or group discounts on weekends from Thanksgiving to Christmas; make it fun and throw a holiday movie on or offer deals to folks who wear their "ugly sweaters" or even pajama pants!
Prepare a showstopping Crab Cakes Benedict using Empire's Treasure Real Crabmeat and skip the labor of a fussy homemade hollandaise by using West Creek Hollandaise Sauce Mix for easier prep and the best results every time.
11. A Trip Around the World
Give your guests the gift of a pre-holiday cruise somewhere new with a prix fixe menu featuring holiday favorites from a location of your choice. Celebrate like the Greeks for example, with a "figs in a blanket" starter, a persimmon feta salad, and succulent chicken. Zebec® Fire-Grilled Chicken Breast or thigh skewers come already cooked with grill marks and are versatile enough to be served as a main with warm pita, or with a side of creamy tzatziki for a showstopping and easy app.
12. The Gift of Giving
Honor the act of giving by teaming up with one, or a few, local organizations and causes you want to support. In exchange for donations — whether food, clothing, or monetary — give back with coupons for meals, a free drink or app, or even a discount on the purchase of a gift card. 'Tis the season for giving to be rewarded!
