Charnwood Communities Fire Up the Grill for Super Saturday
OLYMPIC-themed barbecues are being fired up to help bring communities together as part of a celebration of medal winners at London 2012.
The Altogether Place on Warwick Way and the Marios Tinenti Centre on Russell Street, in Loughborough are holding community barbecues on August 4 to mark ‘Super Saturday’, the day when more gold medals will be awarded than any other day of the Games.
There will be fun and games as well as plenty of food at the events which are supported by Charnwood Borough Council and are designed to bring people together and get behind Team GB at this summer’s Games which start on July 27.
Councillor David Snartt, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Super Saturday is a landmark day in the Olympics and the Council is supporting two community groups to host barbecues to bring everyone together to support Team GB and have fun.
“It is part of our ongoing partnership work with these excellent centres to help foster a sense of belonging in the communities they serve.”
If you are thinking of holding a Super Saturday barbecue, the Council’s environmental health team and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have some top tips on making your burgers, bangers, chicken and ribs a tasty treat.
Food-borne illnesses can be hiding in undercooked meat causing unpleasant symptoms and the environmental services team advises:
- Keep food chilled;
- Keep raw meat away from other food;
- Make sure barbecued food is cooked properly;
- Wait until the charcoal is glowing red, with a powdery grey surface, before you start to cook; make sure frozen food is properly thawed before you cook it; turn the food regularly and move it around the barbecue to cook it evenly;
- Check that the centre of the food is piping hot;
- Charred doesn’t mean well done, even if meat is burnt on the outside, it might not be cooked properly on the inside;
- Cook food evenly over a steady heat and always check that it’s cooked in the middle.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has also offered guidance on how to enjoy the barbecues – and stay safe when having one of the fun events.
Mick Grewcock, Charnwood District Manager, said: “It is natural that if you have a barbecue, people will want to relax, enjoy themselves and have a drink However, choose someone who has not been drinking to supervise the cooking.
“Always follow the safety instructions on the product and don’t light your barbecue with any form of flammable liquids, such as petrol or white spirits, as these can very quickly burn out of control.
“Place your barbecue in an area that is not too close to a fence or neighbouring property which may catch fire and never barbecue underneath a gazebo, even if it is raining. Never use disposable barbecues indoors.”
For more advice visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/foodsafety or e-mail food.hygiene@charnwood.gov.uk, or call 01509 634656.
