Restaurants worldwide are looking to capitalize on the London Olympics, which runs from 27 July to 12 August, including pushing iconic British dishes such as fish and chips.
Some restaurant operators are offering British-style fish and chips during the Olympics, as well as other popular UK dishes such as bangers and mash and bubble and squeak (which includes cabbage, vegetables and sometimes meat). For example, the Ritz Carlton New Orleans is offering several UK specials in its M Bistro restaurant on July 27, including Local Fish ‘N Chips, Mini Beef Wellington, Bangers and Mash, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Local flounder is being used in the restaurant’s beer-battered Fish ‘N Chips.
“It is a very simple recipe with homemade tartar sauce, malt vinegar and lemon curd. I think the Fish ‘N Chips will be most popular,” said Vinny Russo, executive chef at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans. The hotel’s restaurant and lounge are also getting into the Olympics spirit with a promotion with Beefeaters gin, encouraging customers to dress up in Beefeater costumes and enter a contest to win a Mini Cooper.
The Chameleon Bar & Lounge at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi is offering UK-themed drinks and food, including Fish ‘N Chips, throughout the Olympics.
“During the Euro Cup, we offered different cuisines from the various countries participating, and the Olympics is no different as we look to highlight the destination the games will be taking place in,” said Giorgio Cingolani, general manager of Chameleon Bar & Lounge.
Chameleon is utilizing local halibut for the Fish ‘N Chips, which Cingolani noted is an “approved choice” by the Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wildlife Fund for Nature. “The halibut is denser than the traditional cod, but the flavor and texture work perfectly for this dish,” said Cingolani.
Distributor Santa Monica Seafood in Santa Monica, Calif., is letting its foodservice and retail customers know that the Olympics is a great time to promote international seafood choices.
“It’s such a great opportunity to talk about our global sources, while the country is in a ‘global state of mind,’” said Mary Smith, marketing manager for Santa Monica Seafood.
To that end, the company’s blog includes suggestions on internationally sourced seafood that restaurants can serve during the Olympic Games. In addition, Santa Monica Seafood is taking to Facebook and Twitter (the company created the hashtag #TeamSeafood) to highlight international seafood, recipes and Olympics trivia.
