Christmas Is Coming: Why the Festive Season Is a High-Risk Time for Allergen Mistakes
The festive season is officially here and for the hospitality industry, it is the busiest stretch of the entire year.
Christmas parties, office gatherings, family reunions, festive dinners, buffets, set menus, big group bookings, and a steady stream of walk ins all create a December that is packed from morning until night. Add in last minute changes and unpredictable order patterns and it is no surprise that this period pushes teams harder than any other.
And of course, most venues bring in extra hands to help.
Agency staff, students home from university, friends of staff, weekend cover, all stepping in to keep things running smoothly during the Christmas rush.
It is great for business.
But it also creates one of the highest risk times of the year for allergen mistakes.
Even with the best intentions, the pressure of festive service can expose gaps in your allergen process:
New or temporary staff do not know the menu yet.
Your regular team are stretched thin.
Chefs are under pressure and changing dishes on the fly.
Communication becomes rushed.
Customers expect quick and confident answers.
And nobody has time for “let me just check” during a packed service.
This combination means even well run venues are more vulnerable to errors, especially around allergens.
It is rarely the head chef.
It is rarely the manager.
And it is rarely the most experienced team member.
Most of the time, it is the newest or temporary staff who pick up the first line of customer questions, often while juggling multiple tables or orders.
They need information they can rely on, immediately.
Not a folder they have never opened.
Not a handwritten note from last month.
And not instructions shouted over the pass while the kitchen is full of Christmas orders.
Without easy access to accurate allergen details, your team is forced to guess and that is where problems start.
Allergen Checker gives your entire team, including agency and temporary staff, the confidence to communicate allergens clearly during the busiest weeks of the year.
Here is how it helps:
Menus stay accurate and up to date.
Allergen information updates instantly across all menus.
QR codes at the point of ordering give customers and staff the same clear information.
New or visiting staff can serve confidently from day one.
You reduce the risk of rushed mistakes that often happen during hectic Christmas service.
It keeps your operation aligned, consistent and protected, no matter how many extra hands you bring in.
The updated Food Standards Agency allergen guidance is already in place.
With the March 2026 review debated in the House of Lords, many expect this guidance to move towards legislation.
In simple terms, the expectations on businesses are tightening rather than easing.
Getting your allergen processes sorted now means:
A safer and smoother December
A confident team including temporary staff
Stronger protection from mistakes
A calm start to the new year
A system that prepares you for upcoming changes to the law
Allergen management does not have to be stressful, even during the busiest month of the year. With the right tools, your team can deliver brilliant service without the guesswork.
If you want to make December smoother and safer for your whole team, book a demo on our website or get in touch.
Your customers rely on you and we are here to help you get it right every time.