Stay safe when barbecuing this summer

When eating al fresco many people’s first worries will be where they’ll seat their guests, is the garden tidy and what will they cook.

But if cooking on a barbecue, for an al fresco dining party, it’s always important to remember safety comes first.

Here are our top ten pointers when barbecuing:

• Always make sure hands are clean before prepping food, after touching raw meat and before eating.
• Always ensure that frozen meat is completely defrosted before barbecuing so it cooks evenly.
• It’s extremely important to keep raw and cooked meats separate and keep uncooked meat, fish and vegetables separate from each other when preparing. Also be sure you have sufficient preparation and serving areas.
• Always check your food is cooked properly. Barbecued food may look well-cooked when it isn’t. Burgers, sausages and chicken should be cut open and checked. If necessary, continue grilling until cooked through.
• Never part-cook on a barbecue and finish cooking later. However, you can part-cook, or part-boil poultry in the kitchen, keep it chilled, and then finish it off on the barbecue to add flavour.
• To light charcoal, always use proper barbecue lighter fuel. Never ever use petrol or other inflammable liquids. If using gas, ensure that the grill is lit immediately. If the grill fails to light at the first or second attempt, turn the gas off immediately and leave for a few minutes before retrying.
• Position barbecues on level ground, well away from fences, hedges and trees, or anything that could catch fire.
• Make sure that all knives and cooking utensils are securely stored when not in use and regularly wipe down surfaces between use with a disinfected cloth.
• Remember that barbecues can be dangerous, the grill is very hot and can cause nasty burns, or even serious fires if knocked over.
• Have a fire blanket, or water spray for charcoal barbecues, handy at all times.

How to pre-order your BBQ baked items

Planning a BBQ and want to be sure to get all your rolls, bread and dessert cakes from us?

Get in touch to pre-order everything you need in advance and then come in and collect it on the day of your BBQ or the day before. Please note we’re not open on Sundays and Mondays.