Tapas auction at Pinchito and cocktails for curries at Voujon

04-Dec-2009 - Last updated on 29-Nov-2010 at 11:30 GMT

One lucky ebay winner will get the chance to hire out Pinchito Tapas' WC1 site exclusively on NYE

BigHospitality takes a look at some of the promotions, offers and marketing ideas being run by restaurants across the country

The hospitality industry may be about providing food, drink, accommodation and service, but sometimes you have to go the extra mile to pull customers in. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to make your business more appealing take a look at what others are doing for inspiration.

Tapas auction

Tapas group Pinchito Tapas is giving its customers the chance to bid on ebay to buy a New Year's Eve party at its sites in WC1 and EC1. The Pinchito Tapas NYE package includes venue hire, tapas and cocktails for up to 100 people, plus a DJ and special late licence. Bidding starts at 99p and the auction closes at 10am on 21 December. Founder Jason Fendick said there was an 'element of risk' involved in allowing the winner to choose their spend for the night, but was sure the restaurant 'would do the best to accommodate them'.

Slow food

Ponti's Italian Kitchen in London is offering customers a series of 'slow food' specials inspired by the Italian region of Emilia Romagna, home of the restaurant's owner Stefano Ispani and of the slow food movement. This month's special is Pumpkin and Parmesan Ravioli served with butter, sage and crushed amaretti and for every dish sold the restaurant will donate 50p to the Slow Food UK Trust which helps Slow Food UK to champion food that is good, clean and fair.

Cocktails for curries

A gin-based cocktail to complement curries has been introduced at Voujon Bengali in Edinburgh. Owner of the modern Bengali restaurant, Salim Miah has seconded Liam Conboy, barman at the nearby EH2 Tempus on George Street, to create The Curry Cooler - a blend of Hendrick's Gin, yogurt, mint, lime and cucumber served in a sling glass.

Chinese burns

Burns' Night will receive the Chinese treatment at London's Royal Garden Hotel's 10th-floor restaurant Min Jiang, on 25 January. The Chinese Burns' Night set menu is a meeting of Scottish ingredients and Chinese cookery. It includes Haggis Dim Sum, Chocolate Macallan Tart and aged Scottish whiskeys.