The festive season is the busiest and most rewarding time of the year for cafés, restaurants, caterers, and wholesalers. With demand rising and labour challenges still affecting the sector, smart preparation and menu planning are key to a successful December.

Here are six practical ways to make this Christmas smoother, more efficient, and more memorable for your guests.:

1. Order Early and Plan for Supply Stability

Stock shortages during December can derail even the best plans according to the The Caterer Supply Chain Insights 2023. Advance ordering helps avoid disruption and ensures smooth service.

Make this Christmas season stress-free with the Ariston Foods wholesale e-shop, your one-stop platform for effortless festive ordering. Shop 24/7 anytime, anywhere, and easily find everything you need from Greek-inspired mains and pastries to premium wines using our simple navigation and smart filters to meet any dietary or allergen requirements. Manage your costs with live pricing and receive alerts when your favourites are back in stock all from the comfort of your device. This Christmas, let Ariston Foods handle the logistics so you can focus on delighting your customers.

👉 Order online today at wholesale.aristonfoodsltd.co.uk and stock up early for the holiday season.

2. Streamline Your Menu for Efficiency and Consistency

Festive menus don’t need to be overly complicated to stand out. In fact, simplifying operations can boost quality and reduce stress. Set your menu apart with standout dishes like spanakopita, bougatsa, and pre-baked gyros. These authentic Greek recipes are crafted for foodservice are easy to prepare, consistently high-quality, and full of flavour. According to the UKHospitality Quarterly Outlook (2024), labour shortages and high kitchen turnover remain major challenges across the industry. Offering dishes that are easy to prepare and consistent in quality helps teams deliver great service under pressure.

3. Cater for every guest

Modern diners expect inclusive options. Whether it’s vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free such as our spinach & feta filo roll or vegan spanakopita alternative, offering variety helps attract a wider audience. A Mintel UK Food Trends Report (2023) noted that over 48% of consumers actively look for vegetarian or flexitarian options when eating out.

Practical tip: train your team to confidently discuss ingredients and allergens. It not only builds trust but can also prevent costly mistakes during busy service periods.

4. Save Time with Ready-to-Bake and Pre-Portioned Items

Labour efficiency is critical during the Christmas rush. Keep the kitchen calm and efficient. Frozen and ready-prepared food products can help businesses serve faster while keeping standards high. The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) 2023 report showed that 78% of chefs consider frozen ingredients a key part of maintaining menu consistency during peak demand. Our ready-to-bake desserts, pastries, gyros, and pita bread help reduce prep time while maintaining premium presentation.

Pre-portioned desserts, sides, and pastries also improve portion control an important factor for profitability during the holiday season.

5. Pair with trending flavours & festive drinks

Consumers love discovering new flavour combinations. Add a modern Greek twist to your Christmas menu. Try a honey-orange bougatsa with cinnamon drizzle for dessert, or pair our savoury pastries with a festive pomegranate ouzo-spritz. Seasonal specials like these create excitement and extra margin.

6. Create a Memorable Dining Experience

Decor and atmosphere make just as much impact as the food itself. Simple touches such as warm lighting, natural foliage, or colour accents tied to your brand theme can make a big difference. A CGA by NIQ hospitality insight (2023) found that 63% of guests say presentation and environment are key to whether they return after the holidays.

Encourage staff to share the story behind your dishes and suppliers, the customers value authenticity and transparency.

Final Thought

This Christmas is about balance between creativity and control, indulgence and efficiency. By simplifying operations, planning early, and aligning with consumer trends, you’ll give your customers a great festive experience while keeping your team calm and your margins healthy.