Vater, Papa, Padre, Abba, Apu, no matter what you call them, it’s important to celebrate the dad-figure in your life. Gretel sees the day as nothing more than a commercial cop-out, but she never misses the chance to celebrate with an eclectic range of food and drink from around the world.
This Sunday is father’s day in the UK and the States, but with travel restrictions aplenty we feel it’s an opportunity to go on a journey, so here are seven of our favourite fathers day food traditions, with a mixture of options, whether you’re there or not:
Japan
In Japan fathers receive beer bottles and often handmade beer glasses, sweets, champagne and sandals (if that’s not enough, they also enjoy perfume!) They often eat gourmet treats like wagyu, an expensive cut of Japanese beef, kabayaki unagi, soy eel on the grill, and wagashi, Japanese sweets.
How to do it right: Buy a crate of Asahi (a four-pack in Tesco’s is £5.50) and some wagashi (these Japanese sweets can be bought from the London-based Japanese confectionary shop Kitchoan for a range of different prices)
Brazil
All-you-can-eat barbecues are a staple for treating Brazilian dads (which is a good option for those of us in the U.K. if the weather doesn’t do the expected and fail us this weekend.) Brazilian style barbecue originates from gaucho (South American cowboy) culture. The barbecue style is called churrasco and involves slowly roasting skewers of meat over an open-flamed charcoal bed.
How to do it right: Grab some good quality cuts of beef from your local butcher’s – the cheapest cuts are usually brisket, skirt, or flank (the best for BBQs according to BBC GoodFood.)
India
Father’s day is a fairly westernised idea that has been adopted in more recent years in India. However, people still do enjoy celebrating with food by going for a picnic – ideal if it’s a beautiful day outside.
How to do it right: In the U.K. this weekend, we’re due to be blessed with a relatively decent 21C, so go on and grab a picnic mat, and your favourite selection of chips, dips and sandwiches.
USA
This commercial day is said to originate in the States – the heart of commercial action of course. Tradition is usually a hefty breakfast in bed. Say no more. Who doesn’t want this? Gretel would have it everyday if she could.
How to do it right: Make a fry up. Head to your nearest supermarket and get together some eggs, bacon (vegan ones if you’re veggie), tomatoes and some baked beans. It’s cheap, quick and a real greasy treat. Pops will love it.
South Africa
It’s the classic male stereotype, but with wonderful waters aplenty, it isn’t surprising that the South African way to celebrate the day is by spending the afternoon fishing.
How to do it right: Now depending how close you are to fishable waters, going out to catch your own trout might not be so easy. Don’t fret, you can still celebrate South African style by making your own fishy meal! Scale it back and try our sweet, juicy brown-sugar salmon (pun absolutely intended.)
Germany
In the past, Fathers Day was celebrated alongside Ascension Day in Germany, and was a day for every gentleman, regardless of whether he was a father or not. The tradition was to go on long walks with beer and schnapps wagons trailing along behind you and drink the day away. Sadly nowadays, the tradition isn’t as common, but we like to think that it could be resurrected somehow.
How to do it right: BeerHawk have an enormous range of German beers available for the occasion. Order at your peril.
Mexico
In Mexico City fathers are made to run 21km in a race called Carrera Del Día del Padre. So, if you want to be brutal, you could make them run 21km around your local area. Be nice and prepare a hearty meal afterwards.
How to do it right: Make them pull out their old running trainers and pick up some Mexican food. Benito’s in Covent Garden is a cheap and good-quality option.
Words: Scarlett Sherriff and Fiona Holland