SUMMER MADNESS
SUMMER MADNESS
By Peter Nicholson , Owner - Gordale Garden Centre
Well May was quite the month wasn ’ t it ! Three bank holidays , two coronations and one Chelsea Flower Show later and I ’ m pleased to say that the weather has finally warmed up ! Combine this with lots of plants looking absolutely stunning at this time of year and people can finally start thinking about entertaining family & friends outdoors in their gardens .
For some this means breaking out the BBQ for the first time this year , whilst others might have decided “ this is the year ” and that they are going to treat themselves to a new BBQ , or even their first BBQ .
At Gordale we have been proud partners of American BBQ masters Weber for more than four decades . Their innovative original ‘ Kettle Grill ’ in 1951 paved the way for generations of BBQ development and they are now one of the world ’ s leading BBQ manufacturers with an impressive range of Charcoal , Gas , Wood Pellet and Electric models to choose from , many of which are on display and in stock at our exclusive Weber World showroom .
Our team is specially trained by Weber to ensure we know exactly what we ’ re talking about when it comes to BBQ – in fact we love Weber so much , it ’ s the only BBQ brand we stock ! Here ’ s our top tips from the Weber World team :
• Cook with the LID CLOSED – This simple trick changes your BBQ from an open fire to an outdoor oven and remember , try not to lift the lid too often as it lets the heat escape – “ if you ’ re looking , it ‘ aint cookin ’!”
• So MUCH MORE than burgers & bangers – Whilst these are delicious and cook beautifully on a Weber , you can do so much more . How about a pizza , or a leg of lamb , or even a pineapple upside-down cake ? If you can cook it in your kitchen oven , you can cook it on a Weber !
• There ’ s an accessory for that – Whether it ’ s a phone controlled digital thermometer that will tell you when your beef is perfectly rare , a roasting rack for your ribs , or even the tools to give it a clean after your fantastic feast , Weber have the right tool for the job , helping you achieve the ultimate in BBQ performance .
Of course , all that gourmet food needs to be eaten , and whether it ’ s a leisurely breakfast for two on a balcony bistro set or a mega family feast fit for a king there are lots of options to choose from . We work carefully to hand pick the sets which we think our customers will love . Whilst ‘ resin weave ’ furniture is still extremely popular ; our 2023 collection has seen a subtle shift towards more contemporary aluminium designs which are proving a hit with customers .
Whichever style suits you and your garden , we try and select both casual and formal dining options , as well as sofa sets , relaxing sets and even ( fingers crossed we need them ) sun loungers ! Many now come with completely weatherproof cushions which can be left outside all year round , and which are sustainably made from recycled plastic bottles .
One of the best innovations we have seen this year is the ‘ gas lift ’ table which allows you to effortlessly raise or lower the height of your table giving you two sets in one - switching easily from casual coffee to family dinner at the flick of a lever .
These can all be complemented with scatter cushions , placemats , outdoor crockery and even a rug to go on your patio , meaning that it really is possible to bring the indoors outdoors and turn your garden into a well thought out and functional extension of your living space .
It is truly amazing to see how far outdoor entertaining has come from its very basic beginnings – we started selling wooden garden furniture back in the early 70s which was quickly followed by the latest trend in moulded plastic tables and chairs , in one colour only – white ! Many of our customers have been on this journey with us , replacing 70s chic with 90s flat pack and onwards again to today ’ s stylish , comfortable and sustainable options .
We look forward to welcoming you to Gordale again soon . Peter Nicholson
44 wirrallife . com