With summer officially beginning on the 21st of this month and the alfresco season upon us, it’s the ideal time for chefs to shine and help their guests create some magical moments and memories. From start to finish, there’s an array of new produce coming into season this month and a host of occasions providing opportunities for chefs to astonish and astound. Here’s our top tips to hit a hot streak this summer.
While there are more food occasions to shake a stick at nowadays, there is no doubt that specials and promotions around certain days can help you create noise, excitement and buzz. Whether it’s for specials boards, social media promotion or at the point of service, tapping into the myriad of national food celebrations each month can provide direction, focus and be beneficial to the development of the team.
National Fish & Chip Day – 6th June
Flex your mussels, hook in some top reviews and catch yourself some new customers this National Fish & Chip Day. Rather than the usual cod or haddock, why not cast your net a bit further and get creative with your seafood. These satay skewers are made with our Country Range King Prawns and are a tasty twist for the BBQ alongside your favourite chips or fries.
Gin Day – 14th June
A beautifully boozy celebration, Gin Day doesn’t need to mean alcohol in abundance though. Think gin-fuelled cakes, tarts, crumbles, ice-lollies or even gin-cured fish. Why not try this Gin and Tonic Trifle recipe from Country Range?
Father’s Day – 15th June
While Mother’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations in the hospitality and catering calendar, it’s a shame that Father’s Day doesn’t always generate the same hype. With World Tapas Day falling on the same day, why not create a Spanish fiesta for fathers and serve up this King Prawn Paella recipe for the whole family to enjoy?
Picnic Week – 14th-21st June
While the French can lay claim to being the founders of the picnic or ‘pique-nique’, the British and Irish have certainly made it their own over the last hundred-plus years. Now very different from the squashed soggy sandwiches, crisps and basic snacks of your youth, the picnics of today are a much more discerning, delicious and global affair. So, tempt your guests and customers into the great outdoors or even just the garden ahead of National Picnic Week later this month and ensure you have the delicacies to delight.
Our Country Range Quiche quartet are the perfect ready-to-go solutions, our cooked meats, cheeses and condiments ensure super sarnies, and antipasti including our juicy olives and sundried tomatoes can guarantee a little continental pleasure. For the sweeter side of the picnic, our Cookie Pucks selection are terrific for creating special biscuits for the occasion and with a little care, our frozen desserts such as our eclairs and muffins can be thawed for the big day.
Behind the brand
This month, we caught up with Karl Buckel, who is a Category Buyer of the Country Range Group. A foodie at heart, Karl is an avid home cook who loves experimenting with the latest ingredients and trends to create magical seasonal moments throughout year.
Name: Karl Buckel
Role: Category Buyer
Joined: August 2024
Day-to-day responsibilities: My role revolves around building strong relationships with suppliers, keeping an eye on emerging food trends, and identifying gaps in the product ranges I manage. I oversee a diverse mix of categories—from Frozen Chicken to Herbs and Spices—so no two days are ever the same.
Best part of your job: Discovering and tasting new products, but also the people. Being relatively new to the foodservice industry, every day is a learning experience—there’s always something new to take in.
How do you ensure the Country Range portfolio remains the best? Staying ahead of trends, working closely with suppliers, and listening to customer feedback. We make sure we’re always innovating and offering the best quality products that cater to evolving tastes.
Favourite Country Range product: Signature by Country Range 12″ Neapolitan Sauced Base. So easy to use and an instant menu elevator.
Favourite Dish: Chicken or Lamb Tikka Pathia (or a mix of both!)
Go-to drink in the summer: Nothing beats a Premium Lager in a beer garden when the sun’s shining!
Favourite chef: It has to be Gordon Ramsey.
Favourite restaurant: My local Indian spot, Mitali. It’s unbeatable.
Signature dish: Butter Chicken Curry made with Country Range Chopped Tomatoes.
Hobbies outside of work: I’m a big football and golf fan, following my beloved Blackburn Rovers home and away. I’m also a family man—my two-year-old daughter Rosie keeps me on my toes! Plus, I love getting out for walks with my Springer Spaniel, Fern. I’m also big into live music and always enjoy spending time with friends.