Fancy Food for Father’s Day, by Guest Writer, J. Stein! #FathersDay @Specialty_Food #fancyfoodshow #wefancy #summerfancyfoodshow #food

Father’s Day is celebrated all around the world. It is a day filled with fun, food, family, and usually a bit of friction. The menu can be anything, but for many it has BBQ, meats, pies, and salads. Celebrations can be just a meal but for most, it usually lasts a day to honor our main man-Dad!

Casual Outdoor dining can help set the stage for a fantastic Father’s Day. Buffet-style meals tend to be easiest, so guests can build their own Father’s Day plates. Today, there are beautiful paper products to use so there can be quick clean ups and hosts are not stuck in the kitchen for hours. Decorations can be simple or elaborate balloon displays or pictures of Dad on every table.

Families all sit around the table to roast and toast Dad, so the meals on this day are important. While we all may not celebrate on the same date, there are common Father’s Day foods from around the world. They include:

• Australia & New Zealand (1^st Sunday in September): barbecue, seafood, salads, and pavlova.
• Argentina (3^rd Sunday June): asado with carne, chimichurri, empanadas, and red wine.
• Brazil (2^nd Sunday in August): churrasco, grilled meat, rice, beans, farofa, and cold drinks.
• Germany (40^th day after Easter): sausages, schnitzel, roast pork, potatoes, pretzels, and beer.
• India (3^rd Sunday June): biryani, kebabs, curries, naan, and sweets.
• Japan (3^rd Sunday June): sushi, sashimi, ramen, yakitori, or steak.
• Mexico (3^rd Sunday June): carne asada, tacos, tamales, grilled meats, rice, beans, and Tres leches cake.
• Philippines(3^rd Sunday June): lechon, pancit, barbecue, adobo, lumpia, rice, and cake.
• South Africa (3^rd Sunday June): grilled meat, boerewors, pap, chakalaka, and salads.
• South Korea (May 8^th): Korean barbecue, bulgogi, galbi, fried chicken, and side dishes.
• Spain (March 19^th): grilled meats, patatas bravas, flan, and Churros with Chocolate
• United States (3^rd Sunday June): barbecue, burgers, salads, corn on the cob, beer, and pie.
• United Kingdom (3^rd Sunday June): roast dinners, steak, or fish and chips

This year, consider adding a new item or two to the Father’s Day menu. You just may start a new tradition! Find inspiration in popular global dishes to construct your menu.

Appetizers

• Argentine Empanadas filled with beef, onions, olives, and spices.
• North American poppers filled with Clawson Farms cheddar or Philly cream cheese or Fried Macaroni bites made with Wood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyere
• Filipino Lumpia served crisp with sweet chili dipping sauce.
• Greek Spanakopita made with Athenos Feta cheese or Athenos Whipped Feta Dip and Spread
• German Pretzels with Bavarian Sweet & Spicy Mustard and Hickory Smoked Gouda cheese dip made with Artikas cheese or  Cocktail Kasekrainer (Schaller & Webber).
• Indian Vegetable or Butter Chicken Samosas from Golden Samosa Bakery served with tamarind sauce or Brooklyn Delhi Mango Chutney or Chicken Skewers with Saucy AF Turmeric Ginger Sauce
• Polish perogies with sour cream or fried onions
• Spanish Croquetas or Tortilla Española served with Pimenton Aioli or Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
• Japanese Yakitori Skewers glazed with Momofuku Sweet & Spicy Sauce or G. Hughes Sesame Teriyaki.

Main Courses

• Brazilian Churrasco Platter with grilled steak covered in Bone Suckin’ Steak Sauce, seared sweet sausages, and grilled chicken with Tari Peruvian Tropical Kick Hot Sauce.
• German Sausages or Schnitzel with sauerkraut and Dusseldorf Horseradish Mustard
• Indian Biryani (Shan mixes are easy to make) and Doner Kebabs (made from Marhaba Doner Kebab Seasoning) with basmati rice, grilled meats, naan, and chutneys.
• Korean BBQ made with Spicewalla Korean BBQ Rub and Galbi served family-style with lettuce wraps and sides.
• North American BBQ Chicken slathered with G. Hughes Sugar Free Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce, BBQ Ribs  with Sweet Southern Bone Suckin’ Sauce, and Shrimp Gumbo using Magic Seasoning Blend.
• Mexican Carne Asada Tacos with Mike’s Hot Honey and salsa or Chicken Tamales from The Texas Tamale Company.
• Polish Kielbasa from Schaller & Weber
• NYC Nova Smoked Salmon on a Bagel with onions and cream cheese from Acme Smoked Fish if you are in a city and are celebrating and cannot BBQ 
• Spanish Paella, especially seafood or mixed paella or Fabada Asturiana, the rich bean and pork stew

Sexy Sides

• Potato Salad with mayo in the United States and with vinegar in Germany.
• Grilled Corn on the Cob with butter, lime, and chili seasoning seen in Canada and Mexico.
• Chimichurri White Bean Salad made with The Spice House Green Chimichurri Mix
• Potato Latkes, Spaetzle, and pickles, are all traditional German side dishes.
• Ensaladilla Rusa, Pimientos de Padrón, and Grilled Vegetables all are served in Spain
• Chakalaka and Pap for a South African-style side plate.
• Macaroni Salad, Coleslaw, Mac N Cheese, Tortellini Salad are common in North America
• Watermelon and Feta Salad or Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad are terrific for vegetarians
• Garden Salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressings is served worldwide. Pommery makes very fine vinegars for salads.

Desserts

• Australian and New Zealand serve Pavlova with fresh fruit.
• Canadian’s have Shoe Fly Pie topped with maple ice cream
• Mexican’s devour Tres Leches Cake topped with whipped cream and colorful berries
• French Profiteroles — small cream puffs often served with a warm chocolate sauce, Macarons — delicate almond meringue cookies with assorted flavored fillings, Mille-feuille — flakey layers of puff pastry and rich pastry cream, Opera cake — layered light almond sponge cake with coffee buttercream and decadent chocolate ganache, or Tarte aux fruits — fruit tart made with pastry cream and glazed fresh fruit are all eaten at the end of meals across France.
• Spanish dads dine on creamy Flan, fried Churros with melted chocolate to dip in, or Tarta de Santiago
• Classic fruit Pies, Vanilla Ice Cream with Runamok Maple Syrop drizzled on top, or Celebratory Cake for a familiar Father’s Day finish in the USA.

Dad Drinks

• Cold Beer to go with barbecue, sausages, and grilled foods for those 21+.
• Coolers that have either Alcohol or THC added for adults that do not have to drive or watch young children. If you have a terrible family, this may be your best bet (just kidding).
• Red Wine to pair with asado, steak, and roast dishes for those 21+.
• Iced Teas or Lemonades for a refreshing nonalcoholic choice.
• Fruit Punch, Infused water, or Sparkling Water for family-friendly options.

Last Minute Foodie Gifts for Dad- order online today and give him the card tomorrow ♥

Woodland Honey Trio $74.97 by Burlap & Barrel in partnership with Dr. Jane Goodall www.burlapandbarrel.com

Marin French Cheese Cheeseboard Basket contains Laura Chenel goat cheeses, Marin French cheeses, salame, jam, nuts and more for the dad that loves dairy $120 www.marinfrenchcheese.com

Dirndl Kitchen Heimweh Box has wieners to teawurst, bacon to bratwurst, condiments, and more  $94.99 www.schallerweber.com

Bixby 10 Chocolate Bar Variety Pack has innovative flavors in both milk and dark chocolate for dads with a sweet tooth $100 www.bixbychocolate.com

Sweet Shop USA 20 Piece Build A Box $79 or 1.5oz Pecan Pie Truffle- case of 42 candies $168 The company donates EVERY year to families living in safe houses.  www.sweetshopusa.com

Magnolia Bakery Best of Magnolia Bakery Baked Fresh Sampler Pack $91 www.magnoliabakery.com

Fathers Day can be a world-wide food festival with dads at the center. Put your phones away, your work down, toss your worries aside and concentrate on the guy that in many families is the unsung hero, the fixer, the person who sacrifices so others can have, the person who often isn’t recognized as the prized parent, but who is- Dad. Make him a meal to remember!