Photo Credit: Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
Not surprisingly, chefs nationwide are sweet on all-natural, versatile honey. In fact, honey now appears on 57.5% of U.S. restaurant menus - up 11 percent since 2011. Harnessing this popularity, we've partnered with chefs and restaurants across the country to highlight their honey-inspired menu items, while others are creating a little buzz of their own.
Following are some examples of the fun and flavorful partnerships and promotions currently underway as a sweet salute to National Honey Month:
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
This trendsetting Southern California-based operation is known for its deliciously innovative, culinary-inspired donuts boasting craveable ingredients and flavors. The Sidecar team created a special honey-inspired doughnut just for National Honey Month: Grownup PB&J. This irresistible raised doughnut features a peanut butter glaze, berry compote, cinnamon-marshmallow whipped topping, house-made peanut-honeycomb, and California wildflower honey.
Also featured at Sidecar is a dreamy Honey Lavender Latte, made with lavender-infused honey, espresso, and steamed milk. Both the Latte and Grownup PB&J Doughnut are available now through September 30 at Sidecar locations in Los Angeles and Orange County. For more details, visit @sidecardoughnuts on Instagram, or sidecardoughnuts.com.
Honeygrow
This growing regional chain (with locations from Philly to Chicago) has partnered with the Honey Bee Conservancy for National Honey Month, paying homage to the hard-working honey bee. Customers who add #honeybar to their App orders during the month of September will receive double points, and 20% of the purchase will be donated to the Honey Bee Conservancy. For more information and store locations, go to honeygrow.com; or visit @honeygrow on Instagram.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Honey is a staple at this Chicago favorite, served year-round with Honey Butter Fried Chicken's mouthwatering fried chicken, in delicious house-made sauces, and in the restaurant's signature honey butter served with hexagon shaped, bee-imprinted cornbread. The ever-popular @honeybutterchi will be saluting National Honey Month on Instagram during September, but really, every day is honey day at this urban icon.
Honey Pop-up at Marcus B&P
"Zagat's 30 Under 30" rising star, Chef Matt Broussard, will be the culinary host of a honey-inspired pop-up dinner at Chef Marcus Samuelsson's new restaurant, Marcus B&P, on Sept. 24 in Newark, NJ. The event is planned to promote awareness for honey bees, while showcasing delicious honey-inspired items including an Oregano Gnocchi with Jersey cow milk, Beechers dulcet fondue, red pepper, honey vinegar, and nuts. Reservations are free, and the menu is a la cart. For more information, or to get on the list, go to @acooknamedmatt on Instagram.
Chefs Create a Buzz
Last but not least, the National Honey Board enlisted five independent chefs from across the country to create honey-inspired breakfast creations during National Honey Month, and share them on Instagram. Following are the chefs to watch for more sweet inspiration this September:
- Chef Ian Ramirez, @chefianramirez
- Chef Tamara Westerhold, @cherubinacatering
- Chef Matt Broussard, @acooknamedmatt
- Chef Will Staten, @ragincajuncookn
- Chef Louis Robinson, @chef_louisrobinson
Check them out on Instagram and give them a little honey love, if you feel inspired.
We look forward to a naturally sweet September, marked by wonderful honey partnerships and promotions designed to spread the honey love. Let us know if you see a fun and flavorful honey menu item or promotion in your area. Tag us on Instagram @nationalhoneyboard, or email us at [email protected].
Happy National Honey Month!