We’ve just celebrated the late May Bank Holiday and that means one thing: it’s National Barbecue Week. A time for the nation to show its mettle as we brave the heat or huddle under an umbrella to flip a pack of burgers.
It’s fair to say that barbecues are now as much a British summertime tradition as strawberries and cream and complaining about the heat.
Now in its 22nd year, the national awareness week has seen the number of barbecues per year increase from nine million since its inception in 1997 to 131 million today. The British barbecue really has come a long way since those early days of tucking into burnt, charcoal flavoured sausages.
Chefs and culinary entrepreneurs are embracing the grill and inspiring the country’s restaurants, pubs and homes.
So, this week – whether you’re a back-garden grill specialist or a disposable barbie in the park kind of person – join us as we raise a toast to our favourite al fresco food.
British-Jamaican chef and entrepreneur, Levi Roots, first captured the public imagination as an applicant on Dragon’s Den. He charmed the dragons into parting ways with a £50,000 investment to kickstart his business in 2006.
12 years on and a barbecue would be almost unthinkable without a bottle of his Reggae Reggae sauce among the selection of condiments. Levi’s story goes to show the enduring power of a broadcast appearance and he continues to surprise us with some dazzling recipes like his Reggae Reggae beer can chicken.
Genevieve Taylor is determined to put women on the culinary map when it comes to barbecues and takes control of the fire. Her book, How to Eat Outside, encourages women to do more cooking in the great outdoors.
The year her book was released, she helped lead a campaign with like-minded female cooks, lighting up the grills at various festivals up and down the country.
We admire her entrepreneurial spirit and passion – something that shines through in her book and her mouth-watering social feed.
Ben Bartlett, also known as Barbecue Ben, was the first ever winner of Britain’s Best BBQer. The award proved to be a platform for an illustrious career in al fresco dining, which has taken him from Bristol to Kansas City via Italy.
Ben is now the esteemed president of the British BBQ Association and represents Britain globally on the world’s grilling stage, including regular appearances on TV shows such as Ready Steady Cook and This Morning.
Following the success of his first book, The Haynes BBQ Owners’ Grilling Manual, Ben recently launched Carry on BBQing, delivering healthy and inspiring recipes for all occasions. A must-read for anyone looking to blow away the culinary cobwebs and wheel out the barbecue.
At PHA we are inspired by entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Regardless of your grilling abilities, if you’d like to talk about taking your PR outreach to the next level, please contact us today.
