Summer holidays in the United States—Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day—are peak moments for food brands to shine. They’re all about grilling, gathering, and indulgence, which makes them ripe for high-impact marketing. But how can brands cut through the noise during the busiest cookout season of the year?
Enter: strategic seasonal campaigns + the power of celebrity chefs and food creators.
Let’s break down how to build a sizzling summer campaign, and how to amplify it with trusted names in food.
Summer Holiday Campaign Strategy for Food Brands
1. Thematic Branding & Messaging
Use evocative, summer-centric themes that align with patriotic holidays, family, and fun.
Tagline Ideas:
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“Summer Starts Here”
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“Grill, Chill, and Celebrate”
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“Backyard BBQ, Upgraded”
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“Taste the Red, White & BBQ”
Visual Elements:
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Red, white, and blue color schemes
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American flags, fireworks, grill flames, outdoor tables, poolside snacks
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Limited-edition packaging or patriotic product redesigns
2. Product Positioning for Summer
Highlight your best seasonal fits, like:
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Grill-Ready Goods: Burgers, hot dogs, steaks, sausages, plant-based proteins
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Side Essentials: Coleslaw kits, pasta salads, corn-on-the-cob, pickles
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Beverage Boosters: Iced teas, lemonades, cocktail mixers, infused waters
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Dessert Staples: Ice cream, fruit tarts, patriotic cakes, s’mores kits
Pro Tip: Bundle items into “Backyard BBQ Kits” or “Summer Party Packs” for easy grab-and-go appeal.
3. Seasonal Content Creation
Build a rich content calendar with:
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Holiday-themed recipes featuring your product
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Grilling and prep tips
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Party-planning checklists
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Social media giveaways or “cookout hacks” campaigns
Leveraging Celebrity Chefs and Food Creators
Celebrity chefs and social-first food influencers add credibility, excitement, and reach. Here’s how to plug them into your campaign:
A. Social Media & Video Content
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Recipe Takeovers: Exclusive holiday recipes using your product
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Instagram Reels & TikToks: Fast, fun, visual tutorials
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YouTube Shorts: Summer recipe series or entertaining how-tos
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Live Cookouts: Host a July 4th or Labor Day livestream featuring the chef
B. In-Store & Packaging Collabs
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Add a chef’s face to packaging with a “BBQ by [Chef Name]” label
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Include QR codes that link to video recipes
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Distribute printed recipe cards in displays or kits
C. Media & PR Push
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Book the chef for TV segments (e.g., “Good Morning America: Red, White & BBQ Special”)
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Create media kits with recipes, high-res photos, and product samples
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Pitch holiday tips from the chef to food and lifestyle magazines
D. Co-Branded Product Lines
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Limited-edition sauces, rubs, drinks, or snack flavors
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Align with chef’s niche: Southern BBQ, plant-based grilling, gourmet sauces, etc.
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Use the chef’s name to boost in-store and digital discoverability
Best Foods to Feature by Holiday
| Holiday | Main Dishes | Sides | Desserts & Drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | Burgers, hot dogs, ribs | Potato salad, chips, baked beans | Berry shortcakes, lemonades |
| 4th of July | Pulled pork, grilled chicken, skewers | Corn on the cob, coleslaw | Watermelon, sundaes, red-white-blue cocktails |
| Labor Day | Steaks, sausages, seafood | Grilled veggies, pasta salad | Fruit tarts, ice cream sandwiches |
25 Top Celebrity Chefs & Food Creators to Partner With
Celebrity Chefs
| Name | Why They’re Great for Summer |
|---|---|
| Bobby Flay | Grill master with bold flavors |
| Aaron Franklin | Texas BBQ icon—perfect for July 4 |
| Kardea Brown | Southern comfort with flair |
| Carla Hall | Friendly, soulful, summer vibes |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Italian-style summer parties |
| David Chang | Modern, bold, youth-friendly appeal |
| Rachael Ray | Easy recipes for busy summer hosts |
| Marcus Samuelsson | Global twist on classic cookout food |
| Michael Symon | Comfort food king with grilling chops |
| Martha Stewart | Iconic entertaining authority |
| Nyesha Arrington | Fresh, California grill cuisine |
| Jet Tila | Asian fusion flair meets backyard BBQ |
Social Media Food Creators
| Creator | Platform | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Nick DiGiovanni | YouTube | High-energy, creative twists |
| Eitan Bernath | TikTok | Viral, colorful, Gen Z food |
| Tabitha Brown | Vegan soul food queen | |
| Rosanna Pansino | YouTube | Themed desserts & sweets |
| Tieghan Gerard (Half Baked Harvest) | Blog/IG | Seasonal, chic recipes |
| Brandon Skier (@sad_papi) | TikTok | Fine-dining made fun |
| Shereen Pavlides | IG Reels | No-BS bold recipes |
| Emily English (@emthenutritionist) | IG | Health-forward, Gen Z-savvy |
| Newt (@newt) | TikTok | Witty, fusion-style cookout food |
| Jeremiah Bakes | TikTok | Fun, festive desserts |
| Date | Activation |
|---|---|
| Mid-May | Memorial Day recipe launch + chef teaser content |
| Early June | Start “Summer Grilling Series” on social media |
| July 4 | Livestream cookout or influencer-led giveaway |
| Late July | “Chef’s Picks: Summer Entertaining Must-Haves” |
| Labor Day (Early Sept) | Final BBQ push + “Last Taste of Summer” recipes |
The summer holidays offer a golden opportunity for food brands to connect emotionally and memorably with their customers. Pair a smart campaign strategy with the right celebrity or creator partnerships, and you’ve got a recipe for buzzworthy success.
If you or your brand and/or organization would like to hire any of these incredible celebrity chefs contact us at (877) 607-0206 or email to speak with a celebrity chef agent to discuss top celebrity chefs available for your organization and event.
