A Crown Verity BBQ & the Halfway House

A Crown Verity BBQ and the Halfway House

Ben Bartlett - @BBQBen1

It is fair to say that a few golf courses and golf clubs are not as creative as they could be when it comes to feeding players. The 9^th hole or halfway house is a point in any golfers’ game where a good meal or snack is welcomed for any number of reasons.  A Barbecue at the halfway stage of a round of golf makes a great way to feed and keep golfers happy, and it is so simple and easy. A Crown Verity is designed with strong large wheels to easily move onto the greens.

At the halfway house golfers have walked nine holes of a golf course. They are hungry, and a little tired but a big meal at this point could be futile to the second half of their round (mind you in some cases this might not be a bad idea!). A BBQ at the halfway house is the perfect way to provide a delicious yet not over-filling meal and make it something that any golfer will enjoy. 

So what do you cook at the halfway house on the BBQ?

Finding the balance between just enough and more than enough is the key to a successful halfway house BBQ on a golf course. Cooking a three-course meal is not ideal as golfers want to get a move on and don’t want to feel sluggish teeing off on the tenth either. At the same time, they do not want to feel starved by the time they reach the 15^th or 16^th hole making the last couple of holes a concentration nightmare. 

The answer lies in producing simple, small bites and making them tasty, filling and not bulky. Steak is perfect, no not a full T-bone with lashings of veggies and starch. One of the most delicious and easier things to produce on a BBQ is a simple Prego Steak. This quick to cook steak is marinated in a Portuguese sauce and can be prepared in just a few minutes on a Crown Verity gas barbecue. Served on a fresh Portuguese with a small salad on the side, a prego roll is quick, easy and filling and while it cooks the smell from the BBQ is fantastic. Equally this same easy to prepare Barbecue meal can be made with a chicken breast. The steaks and/or breasts can be kept in the refrigerator in the marinade and pretty much cooked to order.

Cooking to order on the BBQ at the halfway house on a golf course is part of making the concept a success. When considering what to serve, ideally one needs something that is pre-prepared that can be stored easily and that cooks quickly. Kebabs on a skewer are also perfect for the 9^th hole, and you can get as creative as you like. Chicken, beef, pork or just vegetables and fruit pieces make tasty, filling and easy to cook meals that any golfer will love.

Of course, you could go with conventional burgers and hotdogs, but conventional doesn’t have to be boring. Homemade patties made from lamb, turkey or super healthy ostrich meat make excellent more unusual burgers. Far better than any factory made burgers these can be stored easily and even frozen for later use. Another superb idea is to use venison for the burgers and really be upmarket. The Crown Verity MCB-36 can cook up to 280 burgers an hour.

Hotdogs need not be boring either. Choosing some sausage made by a local butcher makes terrific hotdogs but making your own sausages and getting creative takes things a little further down the gourmet road. Try Pork and Black Pudding, Sweet Chilli Chorizo, Venison, and Pepper or Hickory and Chipotle!

Get creative with your barbecue at your halfway house. There is something wonderful about food cooked on the BBQ that makes a round of golf even better. Even the person having the worst round of their life will feel better with a great meal that tastes amazing and is, above all, different.

View the full range on Crown Verity BBQ's here.... http://bit.ly/2a0rSNA

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RHHall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone LU7 9FE

T: 01296 663 400 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Microwaves Feature Cost Sector Catering June 2018

MICROWAVES FEATURE COST SECTOR CATERING - JUNE 2018

Please attribute any comments to Ray Hall, Managing Director, R H Hall

What sort of kit should public sector buyers have?

• At least 1 standard commercial microwave only – an essential item in any commercial kitchen.
• Larger operations may need to consider multiple microwaves – some models can be stacked to save space
• A combination microwave should also be considered. These combine microwave speed with more traditional cooking methods such as convection and grill, providing excellent results!

What features should they look for?

• Consider pre-programmable controls to reduce errors and wastage
• Variable power levels for complete control
• Double quantity facility for multi-portion reheating
• Rapid cool down in combination microwaves – invaluable when switching between cooking modes

What questions should they be asking suppliers?

• What wattage do I need? Models range from 1000W to 1900W and it is important to get the right output for your menu. Underspecifying can lead to delays, whereas over specifying can lead to poor, overcooked results and wastage.
• Always make sure you are buying a genuine commercial model. Domestic machines will just not handle the rigours of a commercial environment.
• What warranty is available? A genuine commercial product should come with at least 1 year on-site, with many of the heavy-duty models available having 3 years. The warranty cover on the magnetron is important, as this is the heart of the machine
• What support do you offer? Always work with a supplier that is able to demonstrate experience, to ensure you get the right product for your needs. A good supplier should be able to provide unbiased advice and even training on some products. Also consider if they are able to offer good, prompt service back up.

Do certain types/models of this equipment work well within specific markets in the cost sector? If so, why?
We have seen great success in healthcare with iWave®, a fully automated foodservice solution that is suitable for use across the whole cost sector. Using unique barcode technology, hot meals can be provided quickly and easily. Simply scan the product, place in the microwave and press start! iWave® is the intelligent solution where speed, quality, consistency, accountability, and safe cooking are all of prime importance. Our dedicated Food Solutions team can provide more information on this versatile product.

For more information, please visit:www.rhhall.com
www.microwaveassociation.org.ukwww.maestrowave.com

FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emma Smith - 01296 663400 - emma.smith@rhhall.com

Follow us on twitter @rhhallcatering

RHHall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone LU7 9FE

T: 01296 663 400 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Outdoor Cooking Equip, FEJ June 2018

Outdoor Cooking, Food Equipment Journal

Please attribute any comments to Ray Hall, Managing Director, R H Hall

Outdoor catering has become big business for foodservice operators. To what extent have you seen the market evolve during the past one or two years?

The outdoor market has certainly increased over the last 2 years, with more and more operators becoming aware of the additional revenue that can be gained. Chefs have also started to expand their outdoor menu’s, showing that a barbecue event can be about more than just traditional ‘food in a bun’. However, we believe that there is still huge scope for growth in this area of the market.

How have you expanded your range of commercial BBQ equipment to meet customer demand?

The Crown Verity range of Professional Barbecue Systems contains a model for every user, from light usage with restricted space, right up to the largest catering event. There is even a charcoal model for real barbecue enthusiasts! In addition, our bespoke solutions division can work with venues to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen by combining a Crown Verity barbecue with refrigeration, prep areas, and bar equipment. We can also develop custom branded panels, creating an eye-catching area that is sure to bring in extra customers!

What outdoor cooking trends do you expect to be big this summer? Are there any new accessories or developments that you would expect to shape the market?

Diverse outdoor menus are sure to continue to be a trend in the coming months and operators should ensure that they have the right equipment to allow them to be creative and draw customers away from the competition! The Crown Verity range is hugely versatile, with a range of optional accessories that can be added at any time to enhance and develop a changing menu. Items such as griddles, rotisseries, and grill pans can all be fitted to the MCB range, working alongside the traditional barbecue burners to create a perfect outdoor cooking suite for any chef.

When buying or specifying outdoor cooking equipment, should operators approach it in the same way they do indoor kitchen equipment? Or are there specific things they should bear in mind to ensure they invest in the most suitable equipment?
For any outdoor cooking set up, the most important piece of equipment to get right is the Barbecue itself! First and foremost, caterers should ensure that they are purchasing truly commercial equipment. Many domestic barbecues look the part, but will not last or be able to recover quickly during a busy service. Look for a Barbecue that uses commercial grade stainless steel (be wary that many domestic models use stainless steel but are of light duty construction) and also check out the grid racks - stainless steel work much better than coated ones that invariably chip and flake off in time. Look for good portability as many barbecues have poorly constructed wheels. Importantly, ensure the product comes with a full commercial warranty. Some have a lifetime guarantee!
Remember that you would not buy a domestic cooker for your commercial kitchen so apply the same thought process for your outdoor Barbecue.  

R H Hall are Exclusive UK Distributors for the Crown Verity range of Professional BarbecueSystems.

For more information, please visit:

www.rhhall.com

Or contact our Sales Team on 01296 663400/sales@rhhall.com

FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emma Smith - 01296 663400 - emma.smith@rhhall.com

Follow us on twitter @rhhallcatering

RHHall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone LU7 9FE

T: 01296 663 400 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Wholesale Focus Catering Insight June 2018

Wholesale Focus, Catering Insight - June 2018

Please attribute any comments to Kris Brearley, Sales Director, R H Hall

Can you offer UK dealers discounts on your imported brands – if so, how does your discount structure operate?
We have a full trade discount structure in place for all Exclusive Brands, available to our Nationwide network of approved dealers. Our easy to use Distributor Price List shows List and Trade prices for all of our best selling brands and is available only to validated trade dealers. We also work closely with a network of ‘Key Distributor Accounts’ throughout the UK. By reaching various criteria including taking stock of our Exclusive Brands, these dealers can achieve additional discounts. For more details on joining our Approved Dealer Network or on our ‘Key Distributor Account’ scheme, please contact our Sales Team or your ASM.

Do you think wholesalers/suppliers in general have to work on tighter margins than manufacturers which supply directly to the UK? 
Wholesalers can often have to work on very tight margins in order to ensure a margin remains for their dealer. Many manufacturers are now willing to offer direct terms to a wide range of customers, including web companies who are often selling to end users. This, in turn, can mean that very aggressive pricing can be obtained online by the customer, with little margin left for the distributor. In order to provide their dealer with a competitive price, a wholesaler will often have no choice but to eat into their own margins.  However, many manufacturers do now seem to be going back to basics and addressing this ‘issue’ by reviewing the criteria that their direct accounts meet (Gram are a great recent example of this), as some offer no real knowledge of the product and little or no after sales service. This can have a very negative impact on the brand and importantly delivers a poor customer experience.

What are the benefits to distributors of using suppliers/wholesalers rather than manufacturers?
A good wholesaler should be able to offer many benefits that a manufacturer cannot necessarily provide. Generally, wholesalers will provide a wide range of industry brands, meaning that they are knowledgeable and can offer unbiased, independent advice in many areas of Foodservice Equipment, whereas a manufacturer may specialise in just one. This also enables most wholesalers to provide a ‘one stop shop’solution – allowing dealers to consolidate their purchasing needs, saving time and often money.

What support do you offer your distributor network?
R H Hall offers support to our Approved Dealer Network in a number of ways, including:
- Access to over 10,000 foodservice equipment products, from all leading brands
- Dedicated, unbiased and knowledgeable internal and external sales teams
- Dedicated and knowledgeable customer service support for all products supplied
- Over £2M+ stockholding commitment for Nationwide Next Day Delivery
- National Marketing and Advertising for all Exclusive Brands – investing upwards of £200,000 a year!
- Approved Dealer Lead scheme for all end-user enquiries
- State of the art website including product information, online distributor purchasing and more
- Annual ‘Caterer’s Encyclopaedia’ catalogue and Trade Exclusive price list
- Quarterly exclusive Trade Only promotions and newsletters
- Impartial advice and industry buying guides
- Working in partnership with our trade distributors to win business – including training, product
trials, menu development, installation and access to our state of the art development kitchen
facility (see attached recent case study).

R H Hall are Exclusive UK Distributors for Sharp Commercial Microwave Ovens, Maestrowave Catering Equipment, iWave Automated Foodservice Solutions, Smeg Foodservice Ovens, Simply Stainless Modular Fabrications, Crown Verity Professional Barbecue Systems and the New Covent Garden Soup Server. We are also nationally appointed wholesalers for most other leading brands in foodservice equipment. 

For more information, please visit:www.rhhall.com Or contact our Sales Team on 01296 663400 or sales@rhhall.com

FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emma Smith - 01296 663400 - emma.smith@rhhall.com

Follow us on twitter @rhhallcatering

RHHall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone LU7 9FE

T: 01296 663 400 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com