America’s infatuation with celebrating the cultures of our diverse nation is nothing new. On March 17th, we were all Irish and donned the colors of the Emerald Isle for St. Patrick’s Day. Now, with May around the corner, it’s time to plan a day that will include tacos, mariachi music, tequila, and, oh yeah, more tequila. But let’s not confuse Cinco de Mayo for a conventional holiday only acclaimed by Mexicans and college students.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, and not Mexico’s independence from Spain – as many believe. Although it is not as popular in Mexico, here in the good ol’ U-S-of-A, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
This year looks to be even more festive since it falls on a Friday. Why not celebrate a productive work week by having a Friday Fiesta? Cater a Cinco de Mayo-themed breakfast, lunch, or dinner in your office, to bring your team together.
Desayuno (Breakfast)
Start Cinco de Mayo off like a pro with…
- Huevos rancheros: delicious fried eggs, with salsa roja
- Jalapeño bagels: toasted or fresh, to sop up the eggs
- Mexican hot chocolate: a warm drink with a spicy kick
Almuerzo (Lunch)
If your team is saving its appetite for almuerzo, try these options…
- Elote: grilled corn, sprinkled with chili and crumbled cheese
- Make-your-own taco bar: try smoked fish tacos, barbacoa tacos, or chicken mole tacos
- Platanos fritos: gooey and crispy fried plantains
Combo Final (Ultimate Combo)
…and if you want to take celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the office to the next level, why not have the combo final to end your work week?
- Vegetable fajitas: grilled peppers and onions on corn or flour tortillas
- Cilantro lime chicken: fresh and zesty white meat
- Churro doughnuts: fried and sprinkled with sugar or dipped in hot chocolate
- Margaritas: refreshing and sugar-rimmed drinks
A Mexican-inspired day filled with tasty meals, drinks and conversation is the perfect way to celebrate a productive work week. As BlackHawk Leadership Development says, “Consider the sharing that occurs when you are willing to sit down and break bread with someone else.” This fiesta-time can create stronger relationships between team members and promote cultural awareness, whether a team member has Mexican heritage or not.
For breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, happy hour, or all of the above, bringing the Cinco de Mayo festivities to the office is a guaranteed win!
