Cricketing legend encourages Brits to expand their tastebuds this National BBQ Week

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 29 June 2021

Cricketing superstar and chef extraordinaire, Matthew Hoggard MBE, is encouraging Brits to expand their palate as he looks ahead to National BBQ Week.

 

The former MasterChef contestant has been known to broaden the horizons of Barbequing, grilling everything from cakes to the traditional Sunday roast, and is encouraging Brits to do the same this National BBQ Week.

“You can cook everything and anything on the BBQ, and you should because it’s just better - it’s the proper way to cook,” said Hoggy, who is now taking bookings for his fully kitted out grill school, situated on the banks of Rutland Water.

“I use the grill to cook all my food, from salmon to steak, I even cook breakfast on the barbie! There’s no limit on what you can cook, whether its sweet or savoury, meat or veg – chuck it all on there!”

Influenced by his trip to South Africa when he was 18, Matthew fell in love with the outdoor life and cooking on an open fire. Braaing (Barbequing) is a way of life in South Africa, and after spending many happy years out there, Matthew decided to bring it home.

“We’ve got it so wrong in this country. We only whack out the BBQ when it’s sunny, but everything tastes better on a real fire, it should be in use all year round.

“The entire ethos of gathering round a fire and cooking together outside is what I fell in love with, just the whole concept brings people together and us Brits need to embrace it too.”

After a tough year for all, Matthew is encouraging everyone to try something new and embrace National BBQ Week from home the Hoggy way.

“Use it as an excuse to try something new and different. Challenge yourself and make a different dish every day of the week.”

For those first-time grillers, Matthew offered a few tips on how to stay safe this summer.

“Get the right fuel! If it says ‘instant-light’ or ‘easy-light’ or anything like that then throw it away and get some real grill fuel.

“And make sure you cook to temperature and not time, so use a thermometer wherever possible.”

This year’s National BBQ Week coincides with the re-opening of Matthew’s fully-equipped cookery school and grill shop, Hoggy’s Grill. Situated at their stunning Leicestershire location, Rutland Water, Matthew is excited to welcome everyone back.

“I’m buzzing to be back in business with Hoggy’s Grill this summer. We’re busy barbequing every day and we’ve also got courses and corporate events happening every week. So lots and lots of delicious barbecue food and teaching people how to cook properly!”

With restrictions easing and set to end on 19th July, Matthew is looking forward to embracing the summer season and has a number of exciting events in the pipeline, including the UK’s largest BBQ festival, Smoke and Fire on 20-22 of August

“We want to host guest chefs and take the business to food festivals, gigs, and sporting venues.

“We’ve already got the Smoke and Fire festival in the pipeline so it’s certainly going to be a very busy and exciting few months!”

For more information on Hoggy's Grill, situated at Rutland Water Garden Nursery off Lyndon Road, Oakham, visit: https://www.hoggysgrill.com/

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