Getting Set for the Arrival of an Indian Summer
After a lovely, yet wet, weekend visit to CarFest South at the end of August we are certainly looking forward to the news that we are about to enter an Indian Summer as autumn starts.
And if the glorious sunshine streaming through our office windows is anything to go by, we will be needing more BBQ food and equipment before Summer 2014.
So it was exciting to meet so many great business owners and food producers at CarFest.
The ultimate in BBQ accessories has to be the BBQ itself and when you are cooking up a storm on the open grill what better than to do it in style with a CAR.B.Q.
Manufactured using brand new parts, CAR.B.Q's can be produced to your own specifications, even including a working horn and lights. As seen on Dragon's Den, these fabulous Mini BBQs are the ultimate addition to your cooking range.
If you are going all out and keeping to a British Mini theme you may also want to invest in some great matching furniture too. Art Rebellion bring you Mini Car Furniture by award winning artist George Iannou. Based in Surrey, this company takes art to another level with bespoke Mini furniture, made in the UK. Mini Sofas, Mini bars, Mini Cinemas - to name a few and with 50 colour options to choose from this is the ultimate in furniture for Mini lovers everywhere.
With the sausage on the barbie, and the burgers ready to go, make sure you stock up on some great relish from SIMPLYaddCHILLI. Made using a combination of fresh strawberries and chilli, this delicious dip doubles as a 'Mild' to 'Wild' relish and cooking condiment. Handmade in the West of Scotland, this vegetarian mix is fat-free too.
If you are going gluten-free then Heck have an extensive range of sausages to choose from, packed full of flavour and choice.
Choose from an array of gluten-free savoury tarts and sweet puddings to complete the menu, courtesy of Christine's Puddings and some vegetables crisps from the Scrubbys range.
It's always nice to enjoy a cold one on a hot summer's eve but not everyone wants beer - so to keep the mix balanced try some great choices from Dorset Ginger who produce traditional non-alcoholic ginger drinks, Thunder Toffee Vodka, an easy-drinker made from a triple distilled grain vodka and a completely natural toffee syrup or Warner Edwards, who take their pure, natural spring water, grain spirit, home-grown elderflower, plus ten other secret botanicals - and transforms them into a fantastically smooth and aromatic dry gin.
But with the sun shining and the drinks flowing remember to stock up on some bottles of Wenlock Spring. When it comes to water they are not all the same and at Wenlock Spring they bottle it clean and refreshingly tasty.
To complete the mood at the end of the day, as the sun goes down on a wonderful evening, you can take some time, kick back and enjoy a slow Sundowner - that lovely moment when you begin to relax, glass of wine in hand and a few nibbles to munch on as you slowly unwind.
And to keep you nibbling in style take a taste from the Sundowner range. Designed with this moment in mind, the selection includes moreish savoury snacks, handmade with the finest natural ingredients, inspired by flavours from far away places.
Check out our photos of CarFest South on Flickr, enjoy the good weather and make the most of the blue skies and sun.