Taste - May/June 2026 Dunns Food and Drinks Foodservice Promotions
March &April Foodie Dates
As spring settles in and summer begins to edge closer, May and June bring a vibrant mix of flavour, celebration and key calendar moments to inspire your menus. From cultural festivals and sporting highlights to seasonal favourites and family occasions, there are plenty of opportunities to keep customers engaged and tables busy.
With warmer days and a packed events calendar ahead, it’s the perfect time to introduce fresh, bold flavours and make the most of occasions that drive both footfall and atmosphere. We’ve pulled together the standout dates to help you plan ahead, stay inspired and turn every moment into one worth celebrating!
May Highlights
Cinco de Mayo – 5th May
The lively celebration of Cinco de Mayo is the perfect opportunity for your customers to indulge in bold, vibrant flavours and delicious street food, all while experiencing the warmth and energy of Mexican culture.
Our premium range of authentic Mexican ingredients is specially crafted to help you create mouthwatering Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes with ease. Whether you’re serving up tacos, enchiladas or fully loaded nachos, you’ll have everything you need to deliver a Cinco de Mayo menu that truly wows your customers.
British Sandwich Week – 18th24th May
It’s time to celebrate a true British icon!
June Highlights
World Cup – 11th June – 19th July
British Sandwich Week is the perfect opportunity to reimagine a menu staple and bring a fresh perspective to classic favourites. Focus on bold flavours with generously filled creations, and experiment with artisan breads and premium ingredients to showcase variety across your menu.
As the excitement of the World Cup builds, venues have a fantastic opportunity to create a lively, social atmosphere that brings people together throughout the tournament. For inspiration on crowd-pleasing light bites and globally inspired flavours, turn to page 7.
World Sushi Day – 18th June
World Sushi Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate fresh flavours, clean presentation and the artistry of Japanese-inspired cuisine. It’s a chance to bring something a little different to your menu and create dishes that really stand out.
Explore our range of ingredients to help bring your creations to life, including Sushi Rice
Whether offered as a takeaway quick bite or a relaxed sit-in brunch, sandwiches can play a versatile role while keeping customers coming back for more.
National BBQ Week – 25th –31st May
Fire up the grill and bring the bold, smoky flavours of BBQ season to life. From slow-cooked meats and loaded burgers to vibrant sides and generous sharers, create dishes made for relaxed, social dining and big summer moments. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce eye-catching specials and add a real taste of summer to your menu!
Father’s Day – 21st June
Father’s Day is all about bringing people together to celebrate, making it a key date for relaxed, memorable dining experiences. Focus on hearty, satisfying dishes and classic favourites that feel like a treat, whether that’s a special set menu, sharing platters or indulgent mains. It’s a great opportunity to create an occasion that encourages families to gather and enjoy time together.
Wimbledon – 29th June – 12th July
Serve up a taste of summer as Wimbledon returns, bringing a sense of tradition and occasion.
Light, seasonal dishes, classic British favourites and simple indulgences all work well during this period. Consider adding themed touches or limitedtime specials to capture the atmosphere and make the most of this iconic sporting event!
by Centaur Foods, Kaitatuya Yaki Sushi Nori Seaweed, and the perfect finishing touch of vibrant pink pickled ginger.
Loads of loaded fries Crispy KoreanChicken BBQ CrissCuts
As the world turns its attention to the 2026 World Cup, pubs, bars and casual dining venues have a rare opportunity to turn matchday memories into highmargin occasions, but operators are navigating a tough landscape.
Rising costs and ongoing skills shortages in kitchens are forcing businesses to rethink menus – seeking dishes that are simple to execute, cost-effective and still deliver excitement for guests.
In fact, 81% of operators have reported increased
food and drink costs over the past year, putting pressure on profitability. At the same time, consumer expectations haven’t slowed down – they’re evolving. Guests are looking for more than just a drink and
Fish & Chip Shop
Frenzy Fries
a game; they want an experience and, increasingly, that experience includes great food designed for sharing.
Snacking, in particular, is booming. An impressive 90% of pub-goers already purchase snacks alongside drinks, especially during evening occasions. There’s also a clear demand for innovation: over half of consumers (51%) say they want more bold and interesting fry options – that’s where loaded fries come into play.
Loaded fries offer the perfect solution for operators looking to balance simplicity with impact. They’re easy to prepare, require minimal kitchen skill, and can be adapted across a wide range of global flavour profiles – from spicy street-food inspired toppings to indulgent, comfortled combinations. They’re also inherently shareable, tapping into a growing consumer desire to connect over food and enjoy communal experiences.
During a global event like the World Cup, that sense of connection matters more than ever. With Scotland qualifying, there’s an added layer of excitement –particularly for Scottish venues looking to capitalise on national pride and increased footfall.
Loaded fries can become a unifying menu hero – bringing the world together through flavour while tapping into local passion. Think of menus that travel across continents: Korean BBQ fries, Mexicanstyle loaded nacho fries, or even Scottish-inspired toppings that celebrate the home crowd. Each dish becomes part of the matchday journey!
There’s also a practical advantage that’s hard to ignore. With many World Cup fixtures taking place later in the evening, often outside traditional kitchen hours, operators need flexible food options that can be served quickly and consistently with minimal staffing. Loaded fries fit the bill perfectly – ideal for extended trending, latenight menus, or simplified ‘matchday-only’ offers that keep customers satisfied long after the final whistle.
Mediterranean Mezze Twisters
Beyond their versatility, loaded fries are also a smart commercial choice. They offer strong margin potential and create natural upsell opportunities. With the right activation - tap takeovers, happy hours, seasonal snacking menus, and engaging point-of-sale materials like drink coasters and tabletop
Parisian Bistro
signage - operators can encourage guests to add food to every round. Group bookings, in particular, present a major opportunity. Big matches bring people together, and sharing platters of loaded fries can enhance that social atmosphere while increasing spend per table.
Simply put, matchday moments are better with fries.
This summer, there’s a delicious opportunity to rethink snacking, drive incremental sales, and deliver exactly what consumers are craving: bold flavours, shared experiences, and food that’s as exciting as the game itself.
Mackie's Ice Cream
Alfee's Chic Sauce
Rich Sauces
Match day Made Tasty
Big flavours for the biggest tournament in football.
With this year’s World Cup fixtures landing later in the evening for UK venues, matchdays are stretching into full-on late-night sessions – and that means one thing: extra time for great food.
Think bold flavours, shareable plates and comfort classics with a twist – the kind of food that fuels the atmosphere and keeps tables ordering well past the final whistle. So, alongside the loaded fries, here’s Dunns’ winning line-up of late-night matchday bites, ready to score big from kick-off to closing time.
The Extra-Time Heatwave Pizza
Using Signature by Country Range 12” Neapolitan Sauce Bases (18978)
An easy way to create an authentic, crowd-pleasing pizza with a crisp yet airy base. Try topping with rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and classic pepperoni, then finish with Roquito® candied green jalapeños for a sweet-heat kick. A bold flavour combo that works perfectly for late-night matchday menus.
Stadium Corn Dogs
Damhus Corn Dogs - 42559
A true crowd classic that taps into nostalgic street food and stadium vibes. Corn dogs bring a golden, crispy coating with a soft, fluffy centre and a juicy sausage core - perfect for easy, grab-and-go matchday eating.
Ideal as a sharable snack or part of a mixed platter. For added interest, consider offering a range of dipping sauces such as classic ketchup and mustard, or elevate with options like honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or a spicy mayo for a modern twist.
The Falafel Fan Favourite
Carisma GoVeggie Falafel (22319)
Crafted with chickpeas and onions, these golden falafels deliver hearty flavour and a satisfying texture in every bite. A versatile vegan-friendly option that works perfectly for latenight menus.
Try serving in a warm flatbread with hummus, pickled or roasted vegetables, and a drizzle of tahini dressing for a fresh, flavour-packed street food-style dish.
The Smokehouse Showstopper
Rio Pacific Smoked Pulled Chicken (86632), Pulled Barbacoa Beef (70823) or Smoked Pulled Pork (66644)
Slow-cooked and authentically smoked with hickory wood chips for up to 14 hours, these pulled meats deliver a deep, natural smoky flavour and irresistibly tender texture.
A versatile centrepiece for matchday menus - try loading onto nachos for a shareable crowd-pleaser, or swap out a traditional burger patty for a more indulgent pulled meat option. Choose from pork, or halal-friendly beef or chicken to suit your menu.
The Golden Crunch Taquitos
Funnybones Taquitos: Jalapeño Cheese (22569) or Chicken Fajita (22814)
Crispy miniature corn tortillas, rolled and fried to golden perfection, ideal for starters or sharing boards.
» Chicken Fajita – Filled with diced chicken, bell peppers and onion, coated in vibrant fajita spices.
» Jalapeño Cheese (V) – A creamy, stretchy cheese blend with herbs and a punchy green jalapeño kick.
Great served in pairs for lighter bites, or mixed together as part of a Mexicanstyle sharing platter. Consider pairing with dips like salsa, guacamole and sour cream to round out the dish.
Ge t a Pizz a
With a summer of sport on the horizon, it’s a prime opportunity to encourage diners to gather and share food whilst celebrating or commiserating! To help inspire your summer specials, we’re turning up the heat with a trendy new product and getting creative with crowd-pleasing pizzas.
t h e Ac t i o n
H o t New Pr o d u c t
NEW
To spice things up this summer, we’ve launched our Country Range Hot Honey. A titanic trend right now, our new Hot Honey is a blend of sweet honey infused with fiery yet flavoursome chillies. With consumers of all ages enjoying a little spice and heat, whatever time of day, these spicy twists on brunch classics can set your menu on fire.
Hot Honey Halloumi and Roasted Vegetable Salad
NEW COUNTRY RANGE HOT HONEY PACK SIZE: 5 X 720G
SPICE UP YOUR SLICE
Of course, hot honey drizzled over a hot, cheesy pizza is the ultimate in sweet, spicy and salty deliciousness. With the World Cup around the corner, why not take inspiration from the host countries and add some pizza specials to your menu. Perfect all day and night to keep customers fed and staying for the duration!
p ic e it Up
If you want to add some Mexican spice to your pizza menu, why not put a twist on the classic enchilada or burrito by wrapping everything up into a calzone? Try chilli con carne, fajita chicken or five bean chilli folded into freshly stretched dough served with side of guacamole and sour cream. Perfection!
Loaded Waffles with Bacon and Hot Honey
o o k i e Do u g h Pizz a
POUTINE PIZZA
This Canadian classic translates perfectly for British and Irish customers – chips, cheese and gravy on a pizza - what’s not to like?
For sweet tooths and dessert sharers, this all American mash up combines cookie dough and pizza. Get creative with toppings or provide a pick ‘n’ mix selection on the table for diners to customise their own.
From the versatile Country Range Multi-Use Tomato Sauce to Signature by Country Range Sourdough Style Doughballs and Neapolitan Style Pizza Bases we have everything you need to get creative with your menu this summer.
SCAN HERE For more inspiration, download our Pizza and Doughballs Recipe Guide
The Signature by Country Range Sourdough Style Doughballs are a cost effective way to provide a quality product while managing cost and efficiency in the kitchen – Care Home Chef
BEHIND THE BRAND
Every few months we’re speaking to the creators, tastemakers and quality controllers who ensure our portfolio remains unassailable when it comes to quality, choice and value. This month is the perfect time to catch up with Eddie Gill – the buyer who has added Country Range Hot Honey to our growing portfolio.
Name: Eddie Gill
Role: Category Buyer
Joined: September 2025
Day-to-day responsibilities: Working with suppliers on pricing and keeping a close eye on potential new products we could introduce to our own brand ranges, while also searching for new suppliers who could add value to Country Range Group member wholesalers and you, their customers.
Best part of your job: Having suppliers come and showcase products to the team.
How do you ensure the Country Range portfolio remains the best? Regularly tendering and product sampling my categories to ensure they are the most competitive and highest quality available in the own brand market.
Favourite Country Range product: The new Country Range Hot Honey, of course!
Favourite dish: Chilli con carne (spicier the better).
Favourite chef: Gordon Ramsay, loved the recent series on Netflix.
Signature dish: Toad in the hole.
Hobbies outside of work: Playing football, fitness and following Leeds United Football Club.
Most exciting food trend for 2026: Fricy, a mash up of fruity and spicy flavours.
£19.99
£13.29
£13.49
£2.99 for 1kg 1858
Basmati Rice
Long grain
Jasmine Rice
With chefs at our heart, there’s no other supplier better placed to understand the unique challenges of kitchen life than Essential Cuisine. Created by chefs, for chefs, Essential Cuisine’s range of stocks, jus, gravies and sauce bases provide kitchens with total peace of mind whilst saving valuable time. What’s more, we are proud that 100% of our range is now gluten free with many of these products containing no declarable allergens*.
