This coming May bank holiday kicks off summer in earnest, as it's the start of BBQ season! Being in the UK we're at the restraints of our weather systems, but the outdoor dining is back on the menu for National BBQ Week - a chance to socialise, enjoy the sunshine and eat some great grills!
National BBQ Week marks the beginning of the most delicious week of the year from May 30th– 5th June, the UK is being urged to clear the patio, dust off the barbi and get grilling as part of a national push to get everyone eating outdoors!
This is one of the UK's biggest awareness weeks and has changed consumer BBQ attitudes and usage from just 9 million in 1997 to over 130 million last year with the overall BBQ food & drink market being worth around £1.3 billion, up from just £150 million back in 1997. So now in its 20th year, National BBQ Week sees friends, families, pubs and hotels come together and enjoying the BBQ culture, whatever the weather!
And this year National BBQ Week is encouraging us all to become Better BBQ'ers and indulge in some Gastro Grilling. National BBQ Week 2016 is supported by some great sponsors including headline sponsor & Official Wine - Majestic Wine Warehouse, Bombardier beer from Charles Wells Brewery – Official Beer,debbie&andrew's - Official Sausages,Fire & Smoke, by Rich Harris - Official BBQ Book and Harvester – Official BBQ Restaurant.
GrillMaster, Brian George, founder of National BBQ Week, says, "BBQ is now an established part of our summer lifestyles and whether it's Gastro Grilling or just throwing a few bangers on the barbi we all love to get out there and go for the grill!
"As the leading exponent of the BBQ lifestyle since 1997, we're delighted that National BBQ Week is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2016. We all enjoy sunning ourselves in the garden whilst eating with friends and family. There's a reason countries around the Mediterranean have a reputation of being happier and more relaxed; so long summer days spent dining with friends alfresco might just be what the UK needs to become a more relaxed place to live."
There's even a National BBQ week website - find out more here.