SET THE SCENE
Nothing tastes better on a summer’s day than food cooked and enjoyed outside. There’s a growing trend for full outdoor kitchens complete with pizza ovens, sinks, fridges and storage that can be used all year round. For stunning concrete ones that can be custom designed, try WWOO, or, for a budget modular option, Ikea’s Applaro/ Klasen combination with a barbecue, preparation area and storage is great. Planting potted herbs around your outdoor kitchen is a lovely way to combine gardening and dining as you can use them to flavour food and drinks. Start with rosemary, oregano, thyme and mint.
If you don’t have the space or budget for a full outdoor kitchen, or like to eat in a sunny spot away from the house, a portable barbecue is best. Look for a compact design that’s easy to carry but with a good-sized grill. The Morso table barbecue is excellent – but for an easily portable option, try Weber’s Go Anywhere gas barbecue.
To bring a feel of the hot sunny Med into your back garden, dress your table with colourful durable stoneware. Bold, artisan-inspired designs on platters and serving bowls are perfect for feeding a crowd. Traditional enamelware is also ideal – Falcon’s range of plates and jugs come in an array of colours and looks fantastic teamed with linen – while bamboo tableware is an eco alternative to plastic.