February may be a quieter month for restaurants, but it’s far from a dead zone. With diners still craving hearty, warming dishes, there’s an opportunity to draw attention to your winter specials. The challenge? Standing out in a competitive market.
This is where restaurant awards can give you an edge. Whether you’ve won at the Curry Oscars or been recognised in food industry awards, these accolades are more than just a pat on the back—they’re a powerful marketing tool. By strategically using your achievements, you can elevate your brand, attract more customers, and boost sales. Let’s explore how.
1. Why Restaurant Awards Matter for Your Winter Specials
Winning a restaurant award does more than boost your credibility—it creates a compelling reason for diners to choose your restaurant over the competition. Customers associate awards with quality, consistency, and trust, making them a key differentiator.
Here’s why awards can help market your winter specials:
- Social Proof: An award-winning restaurant carries instant credibility, making diners more likely to try your dishes.
- Increased Visibility: Many food industry awards come with media exposure, meaning more potential customers hear about your restaurant.
- Premium Positioning: An award sets you apart from competitors, allowing you to command higher prices and attract more discerning diners.
Aligning your restaurant awards with your winter menu can create a buzz that will keep customers coming back.
2. Turning Your Awards into a Marketing Advantage
a) Highlight Awards on Your Menu
Your menu is one of the most powerful marketing tools at your disposal. If you’ve won a Curry Oscars or any other award, make sure your diners know about it. A simple yet effective approach is to add a note beside your winning dishes:
- Butter Chicken – Winner at the Curry Oscars 2023
- Lamb Rogan Josh – Recognised at the UK Food Industry Awards
This subtle inclusion reinforces your credibility while creating intrigue around your best dishes.
b) Create an Exclusive “Award-Winning Menu”
Give customers a reason to visit by offering a limited-time winter tasting menu featuring your award-winning dishes. For example:
- Starter: Tandoori Salmon – Finalist in Best Seafood Dish
- Main: Kashmiri Lamb Shank – Recognised at the Asian Food Industry Awards
- Dessert: Cardamom & Saffron Kulfi – Customer Favourite 2023
This elevates your brand and encourages upselling by offering a premium dining experience.
c) Use Award Logos in Your Marketing Materials
Visual reinforcement is key. Make sure your awards are prominently displayed across all customer touchpoints:
- Website & Online Ordering Page: Add award badges to your homepage and menu pages.
- Google My Business & TripAdvisor: Update your profiles to reflect your latest achievements.
- Restaurant Signage: A framed certificate or award sticker on your front door signals quality to walk-in customers.
3. Leveraging Social Media to Boost Engagement
a) Announce Your Award with a Winter Specials Tie-In
Use social media to connect your restaurant awards with your latest offerings. A well-crafted post could look like this:
“Big News! We’re proud winners of the Curry Oscars 2024!” To celebrate, we’re launching an exclusive Winter Specials Menu, featuring our award-winning Kashmiri Lamb Shank. Available for a limited time—book your table now.
This type of content builds excitement while reinforcing exclusivity.
b) Collaborate with Food Bloggers & Influencers
Influencer partnerships can help spread the word about your winter specials. Here’s how to do it:
- Invite local food bloggers for an exclusive tasting event featuring your award-winning dishes.
- Offer a free meal or discount in exchange for a social media review.
- Encourage influencers to create video content showcasing your restaurant’s atmosphere and menu.
c) Run a User-Generated Content Campaign
Encourage diners to share their experience by running a competition:
- “Snap & Win!” – Post a photo of your meal, tag us, and use #AwardWinningWinterMenu for a chance to win a free dinner for two.
This builds organic engagement and expands your reach.
4. Maximising PR and Local Media Coverage
a) Issue a Press Release
Local media love feel-good stories. A press release announcing your Curry Oscars win, tied to your winter specials, can get you featured in newspapers, blogs, and radio shows. Example headline:
“Award-Winning Indian Restaurant Unveils Exclusive Winter Menu to Celebrate Curry Oscars Victory”
Send your press release to local food publications, lifestyle magazines, and online food directories.
b) Get Featured in Food Blogs & Review Sites
Many food industry award organisers collaborate with bloggers to highlight winners. Reach out to them and offer them a unique perspective on your story.
5. Offering Exclusive Deals to Celebrate Your Award
To attract new and returning customers, introduce special promotions tied to your win:
- Award Celebration Discount – 10% off winter specials when diners mention your Curry Oscars win.
- VIP Dining Experience – A private dining experience with a chef-curated tasting menu.
- Loyalty Rewards – Free dessert for returning customers who try three different winter special dishes.
These offers not only increase footfall but also encourage word-of-mouth marketing.
Final Thoughts
Winning a restaurant award is more than just an achievement—it’s an opportunity to grow your business. Integrating your accolades into your winter specials marketing strategy creates an irresistible pull for customers seeking a premium dining experience.
Whether it’s through menu design, social media campaigns, or PR efforts, your Curry Oscars or food industry awards recognition can be the centrepiece of your promotions this February. Implement these strategies, and watch your tables fill up with eager diners looking to experience your award-winning dishes.
Ready to Capitalise on Your Award?
Start marketing your winter specials today and turn your recognition into increased sales and customer loyalty.
