Al Fresco: Peggy's Pick of the BBQ Products

Our long suffering pub cook abandons her efforts to char-grill chips to run a jaundiced eye over a few of the latest food products developed to help improve the outdoor variety pubs can offer.

• Major Mari-Base Marinades​
  Major​

Customers are a contrary bunch, aren't they? One day they're moaning because prawn cocktail crisps are too exotic, the next they're back from some package holiday telling you to add Cajun spices to the cottage pie. Major's new Mari-Base marinades should keep them all happy when we fire up the barbecue this year. The range includes Caribbean Jerk, Honey, Lemon & Mustard, Moroccan and Tennessee marinades, all developed to accommodate new food trends championed by celebrity chefs and foreign travel. They come in resealable bags with a pump dispenser for portion control. Wait 'til they taste my Jerk Burgers and Tennessee Whiskey pork ribs. Call 01933 440711 or see www.majorint.com

Hot & Spicy Chickwich​
Padley​

Still on the exotic, last summer we gave the original Padley Chickwich burger a Mediterranean flavour (pictured)​ at our barbecues by serving it in a focaccia roll with mozzarella cheese, tomato slices and basil with seasoned potatoes. That went down a treat, but this year we can go a step further with the new Hot & Spicy Chickwich, a fiery alternative coated in a hot and spicy batter. Served with lettuce and salsa, if this doesn't help shift a few four pint jugs of ice cold lager, nothing will. Call 0800 085 2749 or see www.padley.co.uk

Blaze Balsamic Glaze​
Chalice Foods​

I'll be honest, I've never quite worked out the difference between balsamic vinegar and the ordinary stuff you sprinkle on your saveloy and chips, but apparently it's thicker. This Blaze Balsamic Glaze from those nice people at Chalice Foods is a thick, shiny, savoury syrup presented in a dosing bottle, so chefs can elegantly decorate and garnish salad dishes. That'll be wasted on most of our regulars, but I like the sound of "a truly Italian taste sensation" - reminds me of that boozy night in Rimini. Call 01482 701271 or see www.chalicefoods.co.uk

3663 Burgers and Sausage​
3663​

This is what barbecues are all about - proper pub grub. 3663's selection includes 100 per cent beef burgers, an Aberdeen angus steak burger (pictured)​ and the American style magnificent seven-inch beef burger. That should keep everyone happy. For the banger brigade, 3663's range of Tranfield luxury sausages includes lamb & mint, pork & leek, wild boar, pork & apple and a new addition of luxury pork, chilli and lime. And for a side garnish, we'll be serving vegetable, pasta and rice-based salads from the All Fresh range. Call 0870 3663 000 or see www.3663.co.uk.

If you've got a product you'd like Peggy to put through its paces, please email details, including a picture, to chosbbq@gurchoyvpna.pbz​