If
you’re anything like me, the thing I miss most about this situation we find ourselves
in is culinary experiences. Whether it’s al fresco eating or food festivals,
there’s certainly a void in my life – especially as the weather’s been so nice.
I’ve been showcasing some local and independent brands on my blog lately and if
like me, you’re missing all the food festivals, check out the Food & Drink Festival Online 2020. A cornucopia of artisan products you may never have heard
of, but certainly need to. There are plenty to choose from and you can filter
by the kinds of products you like/want – get your taste buds going as you’re
transported to the websites you like and click to your heart’s content.
I
have to say that one good thing about the weather is the number of barbecues we’ve
been having. I think it’s already three or four and we’re planning another one
(or two) over the Bank Holiday weekend. If like us, you want to be barbecue ready,
be sure to check out the Food & Drink Festival Online 2020, because there
are some absolute gems on there. Read on as I give you three companies you need
to check out!
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| Image from Food & Drink Festival Online 2020 |
Drinks
In
our house, Ash is the BBQ king, and he usually has a beer in hand. I’m in the kitchen,
getting the plates and cutlery and preparing all the salads and sides, and
drinking whatever’s going open – usually wine or gin. But recently, we’ve
been loving cocktails. We made a pitcher of pina colada for our last barbecue
and before that, sipped Aperol Spritz like it was going out of fashion – while
I was dreaming, I was drinking it in Lake Garda.
Tom Savano is
absolutely a bit of me. Combining beautifully crafted cocktails with travel
experiences (my other love) to create absolute masterpieces. There are four
drinks to choose from and each bottle contains two servings… but where do you
start? Well for me, it’s simple – English Garden Lychee Martini. It just
sounds heavenly. Pairing an Asian lychee liqueur with an English elderflower
vodka is a culture twist but one I’m most definitely on board with. Each bottle
is £14 and if the lychee martini isn’t up your street, there’s also a Devon
Coastal Negroni, Kentucky Winter Old Fashioned, or Single Estate Reposado
Margarita – so you could pretend you’re in Cabo.
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| Image from Food & Drink Festival Online 2020 |
Condiments
You
can’t have a BBQ without condiments and I’m not talking your bog-standard ketchup
and mustard for your hot dogs, or your mayo vs salad cream debate. I’m talking
proper tasty accompaniments, ones that really complement what you’re grilling. I
love a condiment and I have to say, the artisan markets or farm shops are
always the best places to go, ‘cos you find something new and unique, something
you probably couldn’t get from the likes of Tesco.
If
you’re a bit of a condiment connoisseur too, then Manfood have got you
covered – whether you’re barbecuing or not. I could most definitely go off on a
tangent here because I’ve spent hours poring over their ranges of sauces and pickles,
but let’s get back to barbecue. While the BBQ Essentials gift box (smoked
corn relish, adobo sauce, smoked tomato sauce and beer & smoke pickle) has
all you need to get started, I’m more interested in some of the individual
jars. I love the sound of combining grilled lamb chops or cutlets, or even pork
belly and serving it with the Apple, Mint & Cider jelly. Or
alternatively, boneless ribs and wings slathered in the beer BBQ sauce –
we’ve been loving chicken wings, thighs and drumsticks this barbecue season.
Like I say, if barbecue isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other options
available, including an Asian-inspired range and your roast dinner
essentials!
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| Image from Food & Drink Festival Online 2020 |
Desserts
Whether
you’re entertaining or just having a family barbecue, you’ve got to have a dessert
– and for me, it’s always got to be something big, or something special. I remember
family barbecues or barbecue parties at friends’ houses growing up, and there
would always be multiple desserts. I have a massive sweet tooth so would try
them all, but my all-time favourite dessert is cheesecake. There’s a time I was
making one a week, or fortnight and my mocha one is divine (note to self: make
it soon).
If
you’re looking for decadence, look no further than Love Cheesecake. The
beautifully handcrafted individual mini cheesecakes come in boxes of 12, 20 or
40 with gluten-free options also available. But you can also order larger
cheesecakes of 9” (8-10 servings). Love Cheesecake claim to have 100+ recipes
and I for one want to try them all! I’ve already drooled my way through the brochure
and alongside all the classic flavours, there’s Cornflake Cake and Rice
Krispie Cake which both sound amazing, and Rocky Road too. Don’t
they sound dreamy? For me though, you can’t go wrong with white chocolate & raspberry or white chocolate & blueberry. Oh, and big news, they can cater
for birthdays and weddings… that could be dessert sorted!
Whether
you’re wanting to get ready for barbecue season, are just looking for some
inspiration when it comes to new food and drink experiences, or love supporting
independent, artisan businesses, make the Food & Drink Festival Online 2020
your next stop. Who knows, you might come across a new favourite company or
product.
Love,
Lucy xx
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Love, Lucy xx