Glorious Outdoor Dining
Now that summer is in glorious full swing, my family has taken to dining almost exclusively al fresco. I’ve accommodated this lovely habit by turning the garden into a true extension of our home. I consider it not just a space for housing greenery and standard garden furniture but truly as another room. As such, I’ve decorated the area with classically appointed metal furnishings topped with prim, white buttoned cushions, low lounge seating around an antique stone carved Italian fireplace, a breakfast table situated directly outside the kitchen that catches the morning sun just perfectly, and a formal dining table for twelve. The centrepiece might just be my custom Officine Gullo BBQ, designed in keeping with the Orangery Kitchen scheme indoors with bright white surfaces and nickel trim.
In all truth this is more than a BBQ, and together with Officine Gullo we’ve again elevated the dining experience, making the possibilities of outdoor cooking almost as limitless as indoor. Officine Gullo provides high-tech gadgetry and awe-inspiring artisanry while my studio has helped to create a thing of beauty inside and out.
An avid home cook myself, I had a hunch that I wouldn’t be the only one interested in possessing properly functional, properly beautiful equipment outdoors. We made this BBQ with everyone from the serious foodie to the professional chef in mind, whether for a small gathering or a large-scale event. Integrated halogen lights, a brilliant blue night light system on the control panel, and soft close doors that reveal interior lights on storage shelves are all groundbreaking when it comes to serious evening cooking. And then there are all the storage features that a truly tidy chef will adore including tool hooks and generously proportioned shelves to rest plates and store sauces and rubs upon. The list goes on. To top it all off, the Officine Gullo X Alison Henry BBQ is available in three sizes and in any colour and finish to suit absolutely any space.
Having had a few weeks of lovely summer weather, my family has had a chance to truly road test our new outdoor dining situation. I’ve been busy developing recipes for a new project, and spoiling both family and guests with Kiwi favourites like scallops cooked in their shells or butterfly of lamb and grilled vegetables. Whether dining en famille or entertaining friends we are all treasuring our summer spent outdoors.