July
01
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Creating the perfect British summer BBQ party
British summer is finally here and there is nothing quite like gathering friends and family for a fun filled summer garden party. Party planning can be a bit easier when you know some of the new products on the market to help make your party one to remember. Here we share some of our favourite finds that will make any outdoor party or BBQ that extra bit special.
Setting the scene is as important as the food you eat and the company you keep. This stylish vintage-inspired outdoor lantern will look pretty on a table or hanging from a tree. When the night sky begins to show, you can pop in a candle for a hint of light or even some flowers. It is a steal at only £7.99 and is so pretty that you could use it indoor and outdoor, it also comes in black or white.
The vintage-inspired Outdoor Lantern is only £7.99 and available from Aldi
Who does not lo
ve a picnic basket, especially one filled with Lanage Farm clotted cream, cookies, fudge tea and Devon Scone Company scones! The Devon Hampers Cream Tea Gift set delivers on all accounts. This beautiful basket comes lined with these amazing goodies to tempt your guests, you can even use the basket to display the food in. The fudge melts in your mouth, the naughty but nice cream waters the taste buds and the scones go down a treat covered in the delicious Hogs Bottom Strawberry Jam. For tea lovers out there, you have to try the Teoni’s Strawberries and Cream shortbread with your favourite cuppa or even a glass of champagne!
Cream Tea Gift (from £21.25) Includes: The Cream Tea Gift Hamper includes: 4 x The Devon Scone Company Medium Scones1 x Langage Farm Clotted Cream 227g1 x Jar of Hogs Bottom Strawberry Jam 1 x Bag of Devon Cottage Organic Fudge 150g1 x Teonies Strawberries & Cream Shortbread 150g. Available from www.devonhampers.com
For any children at the party or adults with a taste for chocolate the 100% dairy free Rebel Kitchen Chocolate Mylk drink is a must, it has a smooth chocolate taste that is pure velvet. It also comes in Green Tea Mylk and Chai Mylk. 
The 330ml tetra-pak cartons are priced at RRP £1.89, available via Rebel Kitchen’s online shop at
The Manomasa chips will help any dip come alive. The white cheese is tangy, the chipotle and lime has a beautiful kick and the sea salt and cracked black pepper is cooked to perfection. 
Manomasa chips are available from Ocado, Whole Foods Market, Fortnum & Mason and independent delis and farm-shops, priced at £1.99 (per 160g bag) www.manomasa.co.uk
We love a snog and I do not mean the kissing kind, the Snog Frozen Yoghurts are really top of our list. Whoever thought of the name deserves a prize and the marketing campaign is really innovative. These are officially our new favourite frozen yogurt. The Passion Fruit Pip Pop, has a hint of passion fruit and is a tangy delight and the Summer Berry Berry Slam is a delicate taste of strawberries and cream. This yoghurt is scrape the bottom of the pot yummy, all the taste of ice cream without the guilt. 
The Snog pots are available at Waitrose shops across London, RRP £1.69. Find your nearest retailer at www.ifancyasnog.com
We are champagne lovers at Heart London Magazine, but no one wants glass over the garden or patio from knocked over flutes. These Remmerco Plain Champagne Flutes are perfect for a tipple without the hassle.
They are available from Viking Direct and only £4.55 f0r 10. http://www.viking-direct.co.uk/ 
What party is not complete without a little liquor to liven it up, we love Hardy’s perfect pairing wines. The bubbles of the sparkling rose melt over your tongue and the perfect Hardys Stamp Shiraz Roseday Rosé is a must for any picnic. The wine is a light and luscious, packed full of strawberry and raspberry fruit flavours complemented by a crisp, refreshing finish that goes perfectly with cheese and antipasti dishes.
Delicious flavour at a great price, it is available at Tesco for only £5.65
For seafood lovers everywhere Hardys Stamp Sauvignon Blanc Semillion provides a light glass of wine with lifted citrus and tropical fruit flavours, delicate herbaceous character, and a clean, crisp finish, this wine provides a perfect match for seafood dishes.
Also available at Tesco for £7.25
For a perfectly crisp BBQ chicken, Nottage Hill Chardonnay is the perfect compliment. This full-bodied dry white wine, displays rich tropical fruit and melon flavours, complemented by a touch of subtle oak with a crisp, elegant finish.
Available at ASDA, Sainburys, Tesco and Waitrose for £7.98
For meat lovers is there anything better than a burger from the BBQ on a warm summer’s evening? Enjoy with a delightful glass of William Hardy Shiraz for the perfect match. This full bodied wine displays rich plum and mulberry fruit flavours complemented by dark chocolate, vanilla and spice, with a soft, rounded palate and a long, savoury finish.
Available at Tesco for £8.99
We already reviewed the Tefal Fruit Sensation in our Picnic article, it is great for making smoothies and cocktails. Tefal actually have a few great products for BBQ’s, summer parties and picnics.
Tefal Fruit Sensation £44.99 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1377323.htm
This amazing pan Jamie Oliver by Tefal Hard Anodised Grill Pan has ridges which are perfect for pre-cooking fish or meat before throwing it on the BBQ. We are addicted to this pan, we love how amazing the non stick actually is and use it almost every day for cooking fish to perfection. 
Jamie Oliver by Tefal Hard Anodised Grill Pan – £67.00 http://www.johnlewis.com/jamie-oliver-by-tefal-cast-aluminium-grill-pan-28cm/p231620382
The Tefal Minipro dices up sauces perfectly, so you can impress your guests with your own hamburger relish or salsa dip, it even chops up ice for summer cocktails or to lay out fish on.
Tefal Minipro £29.99 – http://www.homeandcook.co.uk/tefal-mini-pro-food-chopper
Having a beautiful display on your food table is as important as the food itself and Country Baskets have the perfect solution. The mini hamper basket is perfect to store napkins, plates and cutlery. While the vintage rose cups, napkins and plates are so beautiful you almost do not want to use them. 
Hamper baskets – £29.89 – http://www.countrybaskets.co.uk/hamper-baskets-fabric-lined-set-of-2.html
Vintage Rose Cups – £1.83 – http://www.countrybaskets.co.uk/vintage-rose-cups.html
Vintage Rose Napkins – £1.83 – http://www.countrybaskets.co.uk/vintage-rose-napkins.html
Vintage Rose Plates – £1.93 – http://www.countrybaskets.co.uk/vintage-rose-plates.html
Gin is a must for many drink lovers and Gordon’s have brought out the perfect summer drink. Gordon’s Gin with a hint of cucumber makes this cocktail taste divine, a fresh summer cocktail to tickle your taste buds and get the party started right.
Ingredients: 40ml Gordon’s Crisp Cucumber
20ml Tawny Port 50ml Watermelon juice
15ml Lemon juice 10ml sugar syrup
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Slice of cucumber & a sprig of mint
Method: Shake all ingredients, strain and add garnish
Units: 1.9
We already reviewed the Campingaz 2 Series BBQ, but it is so good it deserves a mention twice. It is a must for any party, no more messing around with coal and it folds up perfectly ready to store when you last guest leaves. This precious pretty BBQ not only has two cast iron grids, it can be folded away and is totally portable. The BBQ can be attached to gas, so instant cooking with no messing around trying to light the fire with paper and a lighter. The Campingaz 2 Series Compact L is well worth every penny at the RRP of £199.99 www.campingaz.com
With the British weather being a little predictable sometimes we literally need to run for cover. Coleman’s Event Shelter is on hand to keep you dry and ensure the party doesn’t come to a wet end. 
http://coleman.eu/UK/p-25943-event-shelter-12-x-12.aspx
Hopefully you are able to use some of our BBQ and Summer Party tips to make your party perfect. Feel free to write to us and let us know your thoughts.
Cat, Heart London Magazine
Heart London Magazine 