Greece. Certified cuisine of the guesthouse

Slovenia. POHORJE BUNKA

Desalted whole parts of better-quality pork stuffed into the pork stomach and beef intestines, mildly smoked and air dried

Slovenia. Photo: R. Kosi. Small private shop with home-made products of the farm Lipič-Passero

Latvia. Strawberries from the garden

Slovenia. Photo: T. Jeseničnik. Drying of dried meat products in traditional way at tourist farm for guests on a tourist farm

1. Use logos, certifications and other signs of recognition to tell that traditional or regional food is available at your facility.
2. Mark national dishes in your menu card. Develop a special logo or use branding logo if you have joined some branding or labelling scheme.
3. Explain the dishes on the menu - tell about ingredients, how the dish is cooked, etc. Always include also internationally well known meals and dishes on the menu to offer choice.
4. Do not forget to tell if this is ecological food – visitors may appreciate it.
5. Provide some stories about the menu items – how the respective dishes became traditional in the region/locality, explain their names, why they are on your house menu, on what occasions particular dishes are served. Tell jokes and legends.
6. Develop some house specialty.
7. Offer small portions for tasting or set a tasting menu.
8.  Do not try to offer fancy foods or over-decorate them. Your guests will appreciate simple, wholesome food, as is associated with rural life.
9.  Provide menu in the national language and in at least one foreign language your clients would know.
10. Expose cards and leaflets of the farms or other local producers supplying food/drinks to your guest house/restaurant, especially if they are open for visitors and sell their produce on site.
11. Arrange a farm shop with your own produce and that of your neighbours. Take care of good display of goods with descriptions in at least one foreign language and prices clearly shown to encourage buying.
12. Offer, as small extras, things from your garden or home produce – berries, fruit, vegetables, etc. It does not cost a lot, but gives added value. Always present them nicely and explain what is special about them.
13. If you produce foods at home, offer a small tour of the facility showing the production process. You can even involve your guests in some part of the process.