Mother’s Day: 5 Food Traditions from Across the Globe

Mother’s Day is still one of the busiest days in the hospitality calendar, and the single most popular day for brunch. In fact, according to research by Open Table, Mother’s Day gets on average 3 times as many bookings as a typical Sunday, and has 62% more reservations than Father’s Day.

In the UK and Ireland, Mother’s Day menus and celebrations typically involve a home-cooked roast dinner followed by a classic British dessert, or a spot of afternoon tea, but around the globe, food traditions can look very different…

Brazil

Dia Das Mães (Mother’s Day) takes place on the second Sunday in May. As you might expect from a country known for its partying and carnivals, celebrations usually involve big family barbecues. Sirloin steak with rice and beans being one of the meals usually served.

France

Taking place on the second Sunday in May, French celebrations aren’t all that different from our own. However, one thing they do differently is present mothers with cakes in the shape of a flower bouquet at the end of the meal.

Ethiopia

Mother’s Day in Ethiopia takes places at the end of the rainy season. Daughters traditionally bring a variety of vegetables, butter, spices and cheese to the celebrations, whilst the sons will bring a selection of meats, usually lamb or bull. The mother then puts all the ingredients together to create a delicious hash meal.

Italy

La Festa della Mamma takes place on the second Sunday in May. Families gather to enjoy a lunch of pasta and meat, followed by a show-stopping heart-shaped cake.

China

Also taking place on the second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day is becoming much more popular in China. It’s not only used as a day to celebrate mothers, but also to raise funds for mothers working in poor, rural areas. A popular treat served is the Red Bean Cake, which is made with red beans and coconut milk and has a jelly-like quality.