Christmas may still feel a little way off, but now is the perfect time to start planning your festive menus. Whether you’re serving traditional Christmas lunches, festive buffets, seasonal afternoon teas or New Year’s celebrations, our 2026 Festive Dining Guide is packed with inspiration and products to help you create memorable dishes for your customers. 

What’s inside?

Our Festive Dining Guide brings together a wide range of seasonal favourites, including:

• Starters and cheeses
• Turkey and centre-of-plate options
• Vegan and vegetarian alternatives
• All the Christmas trimmings
• Festive buffet favourites
• Cakes, puddings and seasonal desserts

From smoked salmon and pâté to turkey crowns, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and indulgent festive desserts, you’ll find everything you need to build your Christmas menu in one handy guide. 

Get your copy today

You can download the Trevors Festive Dining Guide here: https://trevors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Festive-Dining-from-Trevors-.pdf

Alternatively, if you’d prefer a printed copy, simply speak to your Trevors Business Development Executive, who will be happy to provide one.

Looking for a particular Christmas product?

Many of the products featured in the guide can already be found by searching “XMAS” on Coldweb, making it easy to start planning your festive orders. 

Please note that not every seasonal line is live on our ordering system just yet as we continue to add products ahead of the festive period.

If you’re interested in a product that’s not yet available online, or you’d like more information about any of our Christmas range, simply:

• Call our friendly team on 01253 393000
• Speak to your Trevors Business Development Executive
• Contact your usual Trevors representative

We’ll be happy to help with product information, availability and ordering advice.

Plan ahead for a stress-free Christmas

The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for hospitality, education, care and catering businesses. Planning early gives you the best opportunity to secure the products you need and ensure you’re ready to deliver a fantastic festive experience for your customers.

Download your copy of the Trevors Festive Dining Guide today https://trevors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Festive-Dining-from-Trevors-.pdf and start planning Christmas with confidence.

The post Trevors Festive Dining Guide 2026 is Here! appeared first on Trevors Foodservice.

When catering for Christmas and serving large groups, allergens are always a major consideration. Thankfully, there are several simple ways to make Christmas dinner easier while creating a menu that suits more guests. By making a few smart ingredient swaps, you can reduce the need to prepare multiple versions of the same dish and keep your kitchen running more efficiently.

One of the easiest changes is to use gluten-free gravy so that you don’t have to prepare separate gravies for different dietary requirements. Gravy is one of the simplest components of a Christmas meal to swap, as the flavour difference is barely noticeable, making it an easy win for Christmas catering.

Another effective substitution is replacing butter in mashed potatoes with a dairy-free alternative. This small change allows more guests to enjoy the same dish without compromising on taste or texture. Making versatile recipes like these helps streamline your service and is one of the easiest ways to make Christmas dinner easier for both chefs and catering teams.

Using Frozen Veg When Catering For Christmas

Frozen vegetables are a lifesaver in busy kitchens, especially during the festive season. Most chefs already rely on frozen peas, broccoli and green beans, but other Christmas dinner favourites such as carrots, parsnips, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are also widely available frozen.

Buying frozen vegetables saves valuable preparation time by eliminating the need to wash, peel and chop large quantities of produce. Instead, they’re ready to cook straight from the freezer, helping your team focus on other parts of the meal. This makes them an excellent choice for Christmas catering, particularly when serving large numbers of guests.

One of the biggest challenges when catering for Christmas is ensuring every element of the meal is ready to serve at exactly the right time. Using pre-prepared frozen vegetables reduces pressure during service, improves consistency and is one of the simplest ways to make Christmas dinner easier in a commercial kitchen.

How To Use Up Christmas Dinner Leftovers

Reducing food waste is a priority for every professional kitchen, and after serving hundreds of festive meals, it’s inevitable you’ll have leftover turkey, vegetables, gravy and stuffing. Planning how you’ll use these ingredients in advance is a great Christmas catering strategy that helps reduce costs while creating new menu options.

Turkey, gravy and stuffing can be transformed into festive sandwiches or wraps, while leftover meat and vegetables make an excellent filling for hearty pies. Roast potatoes and vegetables can also be added to bubble and squeak, and almost every component of a traditional roast can be blended into a warming soup to freeze and serve throughout the winter months.

Finding creative ways to reuse leftovers not only helps minimise waste but also makes catering for Christmas more profitable and efficient. With a little planning, you’ll save time, reduce food costs and discover another practical way to make Christmas dinner easier throughout the busy festive period.

The post How To Make Christmas Dinner Easier appeared first on Trevors Foodservice.

At Trevors Foodservice, we stock everything from premium ingredients for chefs who love to cook from scratch to ready-prepared starters that simply need heating and serving. Whatever your kitchen, we’ve got your Christmas menu covered.

A Festive Favourite

Xmas Starters Idea #1: Smoked Salmon

Few Xmas starters are as timeless as smoked salmon. It’s versatile, premium and can be adapted to suit almost any style of menu.

For 2026, Scandinavian-inspired flavours continue to be popular. Pair smoked salmon with crème fraîche, fresh dill, horseradish and rye bread for a light, modern starter. Looking for something more casual? Americana-style mini bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon make a great sharing option. Or embrace nostalgia by serving smoked salmon in crisp vol-au-vents for a classic festive touch.

With quality smoked salmon and all the accompanying ingredients available from Trevors, creating an impressive starter couldn’t be easier.

Sharing Options

Xmas Starters Idea #2: Christmas Sharing Platters

Sharing boards continue to grow in popularity, and Christmas is the perfect excuse to go all out.

Build festive platters with antipasti meats, artisan cheeses, pâté, olives, pickles and freshly baked crusty bread. Add a few indulgent hot bites, such as our Sweet Chilli Squid Bites, to create a sharing starter that’s perfect for groups and festive celebrations.

These relaxed, sociable Xmas starters are ideal for pubs, hotels and restaurants looking to offer something a little different while keeping preparation simple.

Wholesome & Hearty

Xmas Starters Idea #3: A Warming Bowl of Soup

Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.

A rich, comforting soup is the perfect way to begin a festive meal. Whether you choose to make your own from scratch, enhance a quality powdered soup or serve a premium ready-to-heat option, soup remains one of the most popular Xmas starters year after year.

French onion soup topped with melted cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, while seasonal vegetable soups offer a lighter alternative. However you prepare it, a hearty bowl of soup brings warmth and comfort to every Christmas menu.

Nostalgic Dishes

Xmas Starters Idea #: Bring Back the Classics

Traditional starters are making a comeback, with diners embracing familiar favourites that bring a sense of nostalgia.

Prawn cocktail served with crisp lettuce and seafood sauce remains a festive staple, while chilled melon offers a lighter option that still feels special. Add premium ingredients, elegant presentation and fresh garnishes to give these classics a modern festive twist.

Sometimes the most memorable Xmas starters are the ones guests already know and love.

Prepared & Ready

Xmas Starters Idea #5 Ready-Prepared Starters That Save Valuable Time

Christmas puts huge pressure on every kitchen, making labour-saving products more valuable than ever.

Our range of individual ready-prepared starters allows chefs to deliver consistent quality with minimal preparation. Simply heat, plate and serve.

Our Brie & Red Onion Tarts are a perfect example, delivering rich festive flavours in an elegant individual portion that’s ideal for busy Christmas services. They’re an excellent choice for venues catering for large numbers without compromising on presentation or taste.

Everything You Need for Your Christmas Menu

Every kitchen works differently. Some chefs prefer creating every dish from scratch, while others need high-quality prepared products that help save valuable time during the busiest weeks of the year.

At Trevors Foodservice, we support both. From premium smoked salmon, cheeses and fresh ingredients to soups, sharing platter essentials and oven-ready starters, you’ll find everything you need to create unforgettable Xmas startersthis festive season.

Whether you’re planning a traditional Christmas menu or looking to introduce something new for 2026, our team is here to help you find the right products for your business.

Browse our festive range or speak to your Trevors representative to start planning your Christmas menu today.

The post The 5 Best Xmas Starters for 2026 appeared first on Trevors Foodservice.