...and pancakes for all: events and promotional ideas

Pancake Day is fast approaching and pubs across the UK are preparing for some serious flipping. Let’s hope too many don’t end up stuck to licensees’ ceilings. 

Bar and creperie the Shutterbug, in Shoreditch, London, will be serving a mixture of UK and USA pancake styles and savoury buckwheat pancakes as well as doubling the venue’s capacity by adding an outdoor crepe making station to its covered courtyard.

Cathy Radojcin, who owns the Shutterbug, said: “It’s like our very own Christmas, always a fun and busy day and a chance to meet new customers.

“Before I opened the Shutterbug I had no idea how much Brits loved Pancake Day – everyone wants to join in and if there is somewhere that makes them (rather than having to go home and do it themselves) then so much the better – we have queues down the street.”

Luxury pancakes

The Bourne Valley Inn, near Andover, Hampshire, is putting on a menu of ‘luxurious’ pancakes using seasonal ingredients, available in large (£11.50 - £13.50) or small (£5.50 - £7.50) sizes.

The menu includes a choice between two savoury pancakes; wild mushroom, chorizo and truffle pancakes and smoked salmon, crisp poached egg and hollandaise pancakes, as well as two sweet varieties; chocolate soufflé pancakes with vanilla ice cream and berry compote and caramelised banana pancakes with rum soaked raisins and rum & raisin ice cream.

Pancake shots

For operators wanting to put a boozy spin on celebrations, Publican’s Morning Advertiser’s features editor Jessica Mason suggests offering customers these unique pancake shots - all you need is 1 ½ oz Frangelico, 1 dash Grand Marnier, a slice of lemon and a pinch of sugar.

Line up a row of shot glasses and pour the Frangelico into each shot glass. Place a slice (or half slice) of lemon over each glass and pour a little sugar over it before covering with a dash of Grand Marnier until the sugar becomes stick and partially dissolves. Drink and bite the sugary lemon on the finish.