BBQ – A CANADIAN INSTITUTION

Coming from the United Kingdom, I was fascinated by how popular BBQ cooking is here in Canada—something I had never experienced until I arrived. Canada's BBQ school teaches students from across the country, facilitated by BBQ champions. For more details, visit https://bbqclass.ca.

Hosting a barbecue creates a fantastic social atmosphere among friends and neighbors, allowing people to interact casually for all sorts of occasions while enjoying great food and cold beer.

BBQs involve two main styles of cooking:

• The direct heat method, which is similar to broiling, where food is placed directly onto the preheated cooking grate.

• The indirect cooking method, which is similar to roasting, where food is cooked by surrounding heat.

Here are my tips for a successful summer of barbecuing:

The Evolving Culture of Outdoor Cooking

BBQ culture in Canada continues to thrive, with new technologies and global influences shaping the way we grill.

2026 BBQ Trends

• Smart grills with app-based temperature control

• Pellet smokers

• Sustainable charcoal alternatives

• Global BBQ styles (Korean, Brazilian, Caribbean)

• Plant-based BBQ options

Firstly, make sure you are in good company and that you have someone to help bring you a cold beer when needed and restock the fridge as it empties!

Equipment: In addition to your BBQ, you’ll need long-handled tongs, a steel brush, a basting brush, and a pair of oven mitts.

Preheat the BBQ: Clean the grill while it’s preheating, as this helps with the cleaning process. Next, oil the grill. If you’re using a spray, remove the grill from the BBQ to keep the oil from catching fire. Apply a thin layer for the best results.

Temperature Guide:

• Low: 300°F

• Medium: 450°F

• High: 650°F

Cooking times for common items:

• Hamburgers (¾-inch thick): 9-12 minutes on medium heat.

• Steak (1-inch thick): 3-7 minutes for rare, up to 10-13 minutes for well-done.

• Fish: 8-12 minutes unless frozen—then double the cooking time.

If you prefer wine with your barbecue, I suggest a red or white from the south of France or a Canadian Baco Noir

BBQ remains one of Canada’s most beloved culinary traditions.

ARE YOU FEELING GOOD ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE?

If good customer service is so important to a business's success, then why do so many businesses fail to deliver it?

Throughout my experience in operating and managing a business, I've always strived to create a service-centric approach. There are two key aspects to this. First, you must place the needs of the guest or customer first at every touchpoint of the service cycle. The second part, often overlooked by many businesses, is recognizing that your employees are just as important as your guests or customers. This starts with the employee recruitment cycle and continues all the way until an employee leaves the organization.

To be successful, companies must build a service-centric culture. It takes time and effort, but the rewards are substantial. The benefits include higher productivity and sales, improved customer service levels, lower employee turnover, and a stronger brand identity.