St George's Day on 23 April is fast approaching
Pubs stand to make £14.1m from the St George's Day weekend if they take advantage of the celebrations and stage special events, according to research by brewer Charles Wells.
Many pubs are planning to make the most of the day, which falls on a Friday this year, with special menus and events. Among the pubs taking part is the Windmill in Mill Street, Mayfair, London, which will be offering an East End and West End themed menu. The East End menu will feature jellied eels, pie, mash and liquor and spotted dick and custard, at £11.50 for two courses and £14 for three courses. On the West End menu there will be potted shrimps,fillet of beef wellington with Madeira sauce and green beans wrapped in bacon and pommes Chateau.
The Saladin in Somerford, Wiltshire, will be hosting a special St George's Day evening, which will include morris dancers and a medieval banquet. The Limehouse Restaurant in York will be holding aSt George's Day dinner. Adam Fisher, owner of the restaurant, said: "On the night we're serving rib of Ryedale beef served with a mushroom and shallot suet pudding and Masham Black Sheep Ale jus."
Roger Cotton, owner of the Merrie Harriers, in Cowbeech, East Sussex, said he was keen to establishSt George's Day as one of the key events of the year. "As last year, we will be promoting a special menu for the day, which will feature local Sussex beef as the central focus," he said. The pub will be offering a "celebration of Sussex beef" which will include a trio of beef dishes such as beef wellington, braised oxtail and rare rib with Yorkshire pudding. The Moorings in Leamington Spa is planning a week-long celebration to mark St George's Day. It will offer dishes such as rump steak braised with Bombardier and a duo of cod and plaice in a Bombardier batter.
Pub caterers can help raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital this St George's Day, with an EBLEX (English Beef & Lamb Executive) promotion. EBLEX is offering pubs free promotional packs which includes stickers that pub staff can give to customers who order a beef dish during St George's Day celebrations. For every beef dish sold, EBLEX will donate cash to the hospital. Andrew Garvey, head of marketing for EBLEX, said: "As St George's Day falls on a Friday this year, it's a great chance for caterers to cash in on the increase in trade at the weekend. More people than ever will be in the mood to celebrate, particularly as St George's Day will behighlighted by TV and radio programmes across thecountry, which will raise the profile of the campaign."
For a free EBLEX kit, ring 01908 844114.
