Thanksgiving Grilling Tips – The Perfect Turkey

Thanksgiving Grilling Tips – The Perfect Turkey

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the “Grilling the Feast” Cooking Class. As follow up to the class, here are some links to our favorite tips and recipes to help ensure your Thanksgiving Feast will have your family and friends talking about it for years to come.

The Turkey
There are many options for cooking the turkey outdoors, including grilled, smoked or fried. Here are some of our go to websites for turkey cooking tips:

TheDomesticMan.com has a great step by step outline for the “Perfect Smoked Turkey.”

For those with a Memphis Wood Fire Grill, check out their blog for creating “the perfect turkey.”

The website also lists Thanksgiving recipes and instructions for making side dishes and desserts, ranging from baked Autumn Acorn Squash to pumpkin pie.

The Big Green Egg offers simple easy instructions for roasting the “Perfect Roasted Turkey” on the Big Green Egg.

Here’s one more: 7 Tips to Cooking Your Turkey Outdoors. Once you get through the initial questions, this blog outlines basic considerations for the variety of ways you can cook your bird outdoors.

We can’t help but go overboard with our Thanksgiving feast–smoked turkey, fried turkey, grilled turkey, roasted turkey. As we see it, it’s more fun to try them all!

Best of luck with your feast. We hope you achieve the “Perfect Turkey!” Happy Thanksgiving!

True Wine Storage Product Rebate Thru Nov. 30

Like us, you may find that fine wine and outdoor living go hand in hand. Pairing your favorite varietals with grilled beef, pork, and chicken creates enjoyable results. As our clients build their outdoor kitchens, many have enjoyed the benefits of a True wine storage system.

True is the preferred brand of top chefs, restaurants and hotels around the world and these products are now available for residential use. True wine storage and wine refrigerators are as diverse as your needs. From the True Professional Series Dual Zone Wine Cabinet with its industry-leading temperature control designed to preserve and protect fine vintage wines to space saving models such as the under counter 15″ wine cabinets which deliver cold storage on a smaller scale, True manufactures a variety of products at many different price points.

Handcrafted in the USA, the new 15″ wine cabinets preserve nearly two cases of wine and feature three door choices including, stainless glass, overlay glass and overlay panel.

From now through Nov. 30, 2013, True is offering a manufacturer rebate of $200 on ALL True Professional Series Wine Storage Products.

This limited time offer is too good to pass up so call or stop by and we’ll be happy to help you find the True product that will beautifully complement your outdoor living space and preserve your favorite varietals. Cheers!

Grill Master Wayne Paul Featured on 30aTV

I recently shared some grilling tips and recipes with local producer Paul Vizzard for 30aTV. We used a variety of grills and accessories and of course some Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs to create an afternoon feast.

Take a look:
Segment 1: Getting Started

Segment 2: Grilling on the Big Green Egg

Segment 3: Grilling pizza

SALE on POLYWOOD Adirondack Chair with Ottoman

We know how popular Adirondack chairs are along the coast and we really like the functionality of the retractable ottoman. So for a limited time only, we’re featuring the POLYWOOD South Beach Adirondack chair AND the hideaway ottoman for $399!

This highly durable product is made from recycled milk jug lumber and is available in 8 colors. POLYWOOD® solid dimensional plastic lumber is made from HDPE which is impervious to all types of weather conditions including our harsh coastal environment. This offer is good through Oct. 30, 2013.

You’ll enjoy the comfort of your Adirondack chair even more with your feet up and a personal chef at your side! (*Chef not included)

Bay Breeze Patio Voted “Best Outdoor Furniture Retailer” on the Emerald Coast

Thanks to everyone who voted Bay Breeze Patio as the “Best Outdoor Furniture Retailer” on the Emerald Coast.

We’re honored to be selected for the second consecutive year as the top choice for outdoor furniture. We work hard to go the extra mile for our clients and we’re thrilled to know that it shows. Moving to Destin has been such a rewarding experience and we’re grateful for the many friends and clients who have supported us over the years.

We just returned from one of our largest industry trade shows where we were working with some of the foremost authorities in outdoor living. We hit the showroom floor for 3 days, holding meetings with the leading brands and distributors to ensure we’re stocking and sourcing the most long-lasting products on the market with the strongest warranties. While Susan was being inducted into the International Casual Furnishings Association Board of Directors, I was visiting some of the leading grill manufacturers, including Saber and Memphis Wood Fire Grills, to ensure we have all the latest grilling products, accessories and tools to create the best grilling experience and to build your dream outdoor kitchen.

We want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and voted for us. We hope to see you at the “Best of the Emerald Coast” event on Oct. 19, 2013 at the Grand Boulevard at Sandestin from 6-9 p.m. Stop by our booth and enter to win a Big Green Egg and nest ($1,100 retail value).

We are truly humbled and honored by this recognition. Thank you!

Factory Rebate on Tropitone Dining Sets through Sept. 30!

Tropitone Patio Furniture is comfortable, stylish and durable. With the proper care, it can withstand the harsh coastal environment in Destin, Fla. and the unpredictable conditions in your backyard. For one week only, Tropitone is offering Bay Breeze Patio customers a special factory authorized rebate on 5-piece and 7-piece dining sets. From now through Sept. 30, 2013, Tropitone will provide a $200 factory rebate on a 5-piece outdoor dining set and a $400 factory rebate on 7-piece patio dining set.

Tropitone Furniture Company offers a broad range of outdoor furniture specifically designed for outdoor use, including poolside, gardens, decks, patios, balconies and sunrooms. Tropitone products begin with quality materials and excellent craftsmanship, achieving a high standard of performance excellence. In addition, Tropitone Products are backed by a limited 15/5 Year Consumer Warranty.

With a wide variety of outdoor dining options, Tropitone features diverse colors, collections and styles to complement your outdoor room.

Whether traditional, modern or contemporary, Tropitone offers dining sets that bring functionality and style to outdoor living.

Seat choices range from slings to padded slings to cross straps to full cushion.

To review the full breadth of options, visit Tropitone Dining Sets online. Stop by or call us (850-269-4666) to take advantage of this authorized factory rebate.

Football Season is here-Do you have the right tailgating tools?

Many of our clients are talking football–stats, injuries, forecasts and rankings. But the question we’re asking is, are you ready for the tailgate?

Here are the top tailgating items that you’ll want to have on game day:

The Grill – Whether you are entertaining at home or at the game, the most essential tailgating tool is the grill. SABER, Memphis Wood Fire Grills, AOG, Wilmington, FireMagic, DCS, Broilmaster and Big Green Egg all make a variety of grills. Styles and options range from permanent to portable to built-in to rolling carts. But our favorite, portable option is the MINI EGG. The MINI EGG is the perfect solution for tailgating when you want to take The Ultimate Cooking Experience with you!

Accessories – You’ll need the right grilling tools. From tongs to a meat thermometer to a spatula, you’ll want to have the right accessories at your fingertips. Our favorite Game Day grilling tool is the collegiate spatula and apron, ensuring everyone knows which team you’re pulling for.

Chairs – There are many options for portable chairs but our top consideration is comfort and durability. These wooden chairs are both, and feature a variety of fabric color options to coordinate with your team colors.

Recipes – Once you have your tools, you’ll need the best tailgate recipes and The Food Network’s Guy Fieri has compiled a list of the top 50 Tailgating recipes.

We’ve reviewed the list and here’s 3 Game Day recipes we’ll be trying this season:
#1 Bobby Flay’s Grilled Chicken Wings with Spicy Chipotle Hot Sauce & Blue Cheese Yogurt Dipping Sauce
#2 Duff Goldman’s Grilled Sausage with Spicy Sauce
#3 Philly Cheese Steak Pizzas (of course, we’ll cook our pizzas on the grill!)

Are you a tailgating champ? Be sure to share your favorite recipes and tailgating tips on our Facebook page!

Now, we’re ready for some football!

Bay Breeze Patio Expands Outdoor Kitchen Offering

As the trend in outdoor living continues to grow, our clients are seeking ways to create outdoor rooms that are as well appointed, attractive and functional as their indoor counterparts while increasing the value of their homes.

Today’s outdoor kitchens include storage and organization, prep areas, specialized cooking appliances, and entertaining and support appliances such as wine refrigerators, beer taps with kegs, ice makers and refrigerators.

We’re excited to announce that Bay Breeze Patio recently became an official retailer for Challenger outdoor kitchens , cabinets and tables as well as Brown Jordan outdoor kitchens and outdoor cabinets.

Challenger offers a great line of products built with decades of expertise and craftsmanship. With so many cabinet options that are both appealing and very durable, including Challenger bar and grill combination, grill cart and rolling bar, rolling tailgate system, Big Green Egg cart as well as diverse array of stand options, you can easily create an attractive, versatile and long-lasting outdoor kitchen in a wide array of colors and styles with unique features and options.

Brown Jordan, one of the leading brands in outdoor leisure furnishings, is now producing outdoor kitchen options that begin with the company’s hallmark style and quality. Designs beautifully complement Brown Jordan’s furniture lines and colors, and range from contemporary to classic to modular designs.

The commercial grade 20-gauge stainless steel doors, drawer fronts and cabinet interiors are durable and attractive. Brown Jordan outdoor kitchens stainless kitchen cabinetry is warranted to hold up for years under the most severe weather conditions. Kitchens may be designed in concert with stucco or stone to complement the landscape architecture of the outdoors.

And after you install your new outdoor kitchen, we hope you’ll share pictures on our Bay Breeze Patio Facebook page so we can see your fabulous outdoor kitchen in action (and we’ll even reward you with a Bay Breeze Patio gift certificate for your effort)!

Just Married & Cooking

We had the pleasure of traveling to Italy last month and made some wonderful new friends. James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst, authors of Just Married & Cooking, were among the group of couples who ate and drank their way through Italy with us.

We shared our love of cooking (and grilling) while experiencing Italian traditions. We sampled local meats and cheeses, enjoyed a private tour of the local butchers personal prosciutto aging cave, savored the first tomatoes of the season with house made feta, and delighted in making pizzas in the wood fired oven. It was a memorable week and we continue to look for ways to recreate our Italian experience at home.

James and Brooke recently appeared on the Today Show to share some of their favorite recipes. We look forward to staying in touch and sharing tips on cooking. (And learning a few things about garnishes and presentation. Their meals looked gorgeous!)

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In the end, I couldn’t keep my competitive side down so I was sure to let them know that they may have a book, but I have my own line of Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs. (I think they were impressed or they faked it well. Probably the later.)

Trend in Upholstered Outdoor Furniture Takes Off

What’s the next big thing in outdoor furniture you may ask? We’re seeing the trend in upholstered outdoor furniture taking off!

Outdoor furniture designer, Richard Frinier, commented on the trend this spring in his interview with Elle Decor, stating “we’ve seen slipcovers and cushions, but there are companies now making fully upholstered furniture using completely weather-resistant materials. It looks exactly like indoor furniture.”

We agree. We’re watching some of the leading outdoor furniture brands, including LaneVenture and Lloyd Flanders, introducing more options for upholstered patio furniture that looks as though it should be inside the home. The breadth of style and fabric options has grown exponentially in the last year.

By using weather-resistant fabrics, which are durable, comfortable and washable, these fully upholstered outdoor furniture collections bring a new level of style and comfort to an outdoor room. Here’s a glimpse of some of the options from the leading outdoor furniture brands:
Lane Venture – Kelsey Collection

LaneVenture’s WeatherMaster Outdoor Upholstery addresses the current trend in the marketplace that is moving towards more solid shapes and forms that are created with fabric. Available in over 100 fabric options.

LaneVenture Kendall Collection

LaneVenture’s WeatherMaster Outdoor Upholstery Kendall collection offers stylish comfort and long-lasting durability. Available in over 100 fabric options.

Lloyd Flanders Sea Island Collection

Part of the Coastal Living collection, casual styling and billowy comfort are the pillars for the Lloyd Flanders Sea Island Collection. This refreshing collection brings casual elegance and indoor comfort to an outdoor room.

Most importantly, don’t let all of that fabric scare you. The slipcovers can be simply pulled off and thrown in the washing machine and air dried (do not throw in the dryer). We like Oxy-Clean when we wash ours. Cold water only and the fabric is good as new.

Outdoor Furniture & Decor for Summer

We are working with many clients to ensure their outdoor rooms are comfortable and stylish for summer gatherings. If you’re selecting new outdoor furniture, our number one piece of advice is to select pieces that are durable and fit your lifestyle. At Bay Breeze Patio, we carry outdoor furniture brands that stand behind their products with strong warranties.

We’ve also been suggesting little additions that go a long way in making your patio look great and feel comfortable for summer. Here are some suggestions:

Pillows. Add throw pillows and colorful outdoor cushions to make outdoor seating attractive and comfortable. Fabrics today are light years ahead of where they used to be. Today’s outdoor fabrics can be plush, velvety, suede-like and loaded with patterns and colors. Eye-catching throw pillows are an inexpensive way to change out the look of your outdoor furniture. At Bay Breeze Patio we stock fabulous throws from Elaine Smith, Lane Venture, Tran-Ocean, and Lloyd Flanders.

Foliage. Another way to enhance your outdoor space is to add foliage. Greenery makes a space feel inviting and can also provide shade to areas with harsh afternoon sun. We also recommend housing plants in ceramic or glazed clay pots, which are functional and attractive. If you are concerned about plant maintenance, we suggest silks. There are many options for silk plants and foliage that look as good as their living counterparts. While most silk plants are not made to be outside, they will survive a couple of years under cover.

Rugs. Another option is to add an outdoor rug. Outdoor rugs can help pull together an outdoor living area by “warming” up the floor, adding color and giving the feet a little comfort too. Outdoor rugs today can be so plush that they look like indoor rugs – but they can withstand the elements and simply need to be hosed down occasionally. We stock rugs from Capel, Trans-Ocean and Tommy Bahama.

Lighting. To avoid the “fishbowl” effect – you know, where you are sitting outside in the evening with just an overhead light and feeling like you are in a fishbowl – try an outdoor floor or table lamp. Today’s outdoor lighting looks like indoor lighting from the living room, but again, it can withstand the elements. And nothing warms up a room faster than a pretty lamp. At Bay Breeze Patio, we stock lamps from Kenroy and Summer Classics.

A little goes a long way. So start with a small space and a few items and you’ll quickly see and feel the difference.

Set Up, Shoot, Share & Save!

We’ve heard from many satisfied customers that they’re enjoying their outdoor living space thanks to the team Bay Breeze Patio, but we rarely get to see our products in action. So we’re offering a $25 Bay Breeze Patio Gift Certificate for customers who share pictures of their new product(s) on our Facebook page.

Step 1: Set up and arrange your new outdoor furniture, bed swing, grill, etc. just the way you envisioned.

Step 2: Shoot. Grab your smart phone or digital camera and shoot pictures of your new product(s) in action. Product shots are good but pictures of your friends and family enjoying your outdoor living space are even better!

Step 3: Share your picture(s) with us on the Bay Breeze Patio Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/baybreezepatio). We’ll send you a $25 gift certificate, good toward your next purchase. And while you’re there, we hope you’ll “LIKE” us because we like having friends.

It’s that easy!
(And if you don’t know how to share a photo on our Facebook page, ask a friend or teenager in the neighborhood, and we’ll throw in a free Wayne’s Grilling Rub for them.)

Here’s a another creative example of a beautiful outdoor living space. We look forward to seeing yours!

Sizzling Summer Special: 50% off Lloyd Flanders Furniture (limited time offer)

As we kick off summer, many of our friends and clients are realizing it is time to freshen their outdoor space. For others, Father’s Day, graduation, weddings and birthdays have them racing to find a special gift. In an effort to help stretch your budget, we’re excited to partner with Lloyd Flanders to offer our clients 50% off Lloyd Flanders premium outdoor furniture.

With a reputation for creating long-lasting furnishings enjoyed by many generations, Lloyd Flanders features fine woven outdoor furniture that has great design, craftsmanship and durability.

Lloyd Flanders’ products are known for comfort. With the patented Comfort Plush premium outdoor seating, the Comfort Plush cushions are made using Spring Bond Premium cushioning, which incorporates 1.5 density High Resilience California Fire Rated Foam and a special Spring Bond Fiber. The fiber is wrapped in a jacket composed of two layers of spun bond fabric, which sandwich an inner layer of meltblown fabric. The meltblown material literally sheds water, making the cushions inherently mildew and bacteria resistant.

This offer is only good in conjunction with the 20% off coupon available through Lloyd Flanders website. To view the Lloyd Flanders collections and print the 20% off coupon, visit www.lloydflanders.com. Bay Breeze Patio will more than match the brand discount for a total of 50% off the suggested retail price. This limited time offer is only good through June 15, 2013 so call or come by today.

Smokin’ Good Ribs

This morning on WJHG, News Ch. 7, we continued our celebration of National BBQ Month and shared tips and recipes in preparation for Memorial Day Weekend.

If you’re looking for the insider’s guide to get smokin’ pork ribs that are “fall off the bone” good, simply follow these seven steps.
The ideal way to cook ribs is on a smoker. We used the Memphis Wood Fire Grill today.

Step 1. After purchasing your ribs, remove the silver skin on the back side of the ribs.

Step 2. Take yellow mustard and spread liberally over the front and back side. Then apply your favorite rub. Our favorite happens to be ANY of Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs. (yes, we’re a little biased.)

Ideally you do this the day before to let the rub penetrate the meat. This is not absolutely necessary, but helps develop the flavor.

Step 3. Light your smoker and set to 225-250 degrees. Add wood chips if desired for an additional smoky flavor.

Step 4. Place ribs on smoker and smoke for 3 to 4 hours, depending on your temperature.

Step 5. For the “fall off the bone” experience, try wrapping your ribs in foil after the 3rd hour and cook for one more hour in a little apple juice. If you like BBQ sauce, start saucing around the four hour mark. Be careful with sauces that have a lot of sugar, it will burn.

Step 6. The ribs are done when the meat has pulled back from the top of the bone and you can easily pull the remaining meat away from the bone. We like to wrap and put into a cooler for an hour. This seems to redistribute the juices.

Step 7. Get plenty of napkins and dig in!!!!

For more grilling advice or assistance finding the perfect grill or smoker for your backyard barbecue, call us at 850-269-4666.

10% Discount On All Gas Grills for National BBQ Month

Grilling season makes us excited here at Bay Breeze Patio! In honor of National Barbecue Month, we’re pulling out all the stops to enhance your grilling experience AND the delicious results. For this month only, we’re offering a 10% discount off ANY gas grill, including Firemagic, Broilmaster, AOG, Gas Joe, Saber, and Wilmington grills. This deal is good toward free standing or built-in grill models. Offer good through May 31, 2013.

Happy Grilling!

National Barbecue Month – Tips for Cleaning Your Gas Grill

Since it is National BBQ month, we want to help you get your grill in prime condition for summer. It is very important to do preventative maintenance. Just as you get your car tuned up before you travel for summer vacation, you want to prep your gas grill for grilling season. Whether you’re grilling in Destin, Florida or somewhere else in the country, these tips will help keep you safe and make you look like a grilling superstar.

Here are 5 tips to keep your gas grill operating at peak performance:
1. Visual Inspection. Start with a visual check to see if all the parts look good. Double check hoses, grates and burners. Contact the dealer for any parts that may need to be replaced.

2. Cleaning. If the grill has been stored or not used much during the last few months, this would be a good time for a “spring cleaning”. Wash the exterior of your grill with soapy water and/or Stainless Steel cleaner, then polish with a high quality wax or Stainless Steel polisher. If the grates are really crusty, try cleaning with oven cleaner. Grates should be fully washed with clean water before applying oven cleaner, which is highly toxic so follow the directions very carefully. If the cleaner is ineffective, you can either purchase GrillGrates, interlocking panels that sit on top of any grill to form a new grill surface, or contact your local dealer to purchase replacement grates. Next clean the burners, and reinstall as shown in the owner’s manual. Most importantly, make sure that all the connections are tight when you replace. Confirm the seal is tight by taking soapy water and spraying around all the connections. If you see bubbles, redo the connection.

3. Test the flame. Turn on your grill and see how quickly it lights and how the flame looks. If it does not light right way replace the battery in your igniters. The flame color should be blue with a tint of yellow at the top. If not, you have some work to do! Once the burners have cooled off, remove them from the grill and examine them closely. If there is rust, the burner is no good and you should replace it. Is there anything nesting in the orifice area that is preventing gas traveling around the burner? If so, clean it out. As long as you have the burners out, you can drill all the holes to make sure they are not clogged. Follow your owner’s manual.

4. Air Shutters. Most grills have air shutters that you can adjust to get the correct flame color and height. By doing this you will get maximum heat from your grill. The shutter is usually at the point where the burner connects to the gas input. Depending on the color and height of the flame, you may have to open or close the shutter.

5. Clean Grease Tray. The grease tray is one of the leading causes of gas grill fires. Be sure to clean out the grease tray so there are no flash fires.

This will keep your grill working at peak performance. I can already hear the sizzle of the 2″ ribeye. I’ll take mine “medium rare,” please.

National Barbecue Month:Celebrating Broilmaster–Made in the USA

As we continue our celebration of National Barbecue Month, this week we recognize one of the most reputable grill brands, Broilmaster. Since 1966, Broilmaster has been producing premium gas grills in the USA.

Broilmaster’s durable surface, including adjustable stainless steel lid and aluminum grill body casting with limited lifetime warranty, make the Broilmaster grill well-suited for homes in Destin, Fla. and backyards around the country.

Here are some of the top reasons that we’re a Broilmaster fan:
• Broilmaster’s patented stainless steel Bowtie Burners deliver unmatched heat distribution and precise control at any setting. Separate Left/Right Controls allow for indirect cooking.
• Broilmaster’s exclusive stainless steel Smoker Shutter allows you to convert your grill to an indirect cooking system with one pull of the lever–ideal for smoking, roasting, slow cooking, baking and more.
• The QRave. When Broilmaster introduced the QRave late last year, they claimed it was the most versatile, durable cooker known to man. So of course, we had to put it to the test. Slow cooking, steaming, smoking, grilling, the QRave performed impeccably.

Broilmaster has proven to be an industry leader for nearly 50 years and they continue to be one of the most respected brands on out on the market.

Check out this 1972 Warm Morning Broilmaster II, Model G-2000DX. What a beauty!

May is National Barbecue Month

In honor of National Barbecue Month, each week we’ll be featuring our favorite grilling machines, recipes, grilling tools/technology, and tips for keeping your grill operating at peak performance. To kick off the month, we’re featuring Fire Magic.

Fire Magic Grills are known for their superior design, consistent heat, and durability. Fire Magic has always been known for professional quality grilling, giving the chef unparalleled heat to sear meat (sealing in the natural juices) and cooking control. We also like that they are manufactured here in the US. Here’s your options:

Fire Magic Portable Grills – Fire Magic offers 8 professional grade free-standing barbecue grill models in a variety of sizes as well as 4 free-standing charcoal grills.

Fire Magic Island Grills – Fire Magic offers 11 professional grade island grills. These build-in gas barbecue grill models are ideal for creating your dream outdoor kitchen (we speak from experience).

Fire Magic Echelon Diamond – The Mac Daddy of grills! Fire Magic has taken premium grilling to the next level. The Echelon Diamond series won the prestigious Vesta award for the best new gas grill on the market. Here are some of the advanced features that impressed the Vesta judges.
• unique burner system (4 cast stainless steel E Burners are powered by 30,000 btus each), removable zone dividers designed to give greater consistency of cooking
• Hot surface ignition insures that it lights every time – even in the pouring rain
• Built-In LCD digital meat and grill thermometer has 4 sensors inside the grill so you know the temperature at the cooking surface of each zone as well as a stainless steel meat probe.
• Rotisserie rod storage, giving you a place to cleverly store it right behind the hood
• The Echelon hood is spring assisted (Feather Lite) so even on a massive hood it only takes a finger to open or close it
• Optional Magic Window to see your food inside the grill without opening the hood
• Optional Power Hood (we admit this is the ultimate show-off to your friends) just hit the button on the remote and the hood goes up or down by itself
• Dual Fuel (simply add a Charcoal Basket to any FireMagic and you have a charcoal grill that is lit by gas)
• Personalized – If you’re going to splurge go all the way; Each Echelon Diamond can be personalized with a stainless plaque with your name

Are you salivating yet? Stay tuned, this month will have you dreaming of the possibilities. Just in time for Father’s Day!

Five Tips for Achieving Your Dream Outdoor Living Space

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us for our Anniversary Event! We had a great time sharing tips and hearing stories about your outdoor room in use.

For those who could not join us, we wanted to share some of our top tips for making your dream outdoor room a reality.

1. Appliances: If you’re starting from scratch, begin by defining appliances you cannot live without. Begin with necessities such as grill, sink, refrigerator, and burners. Next start a wish list of items such as pizza oven, warming drawers, beer tap or wine cooler. There are many options, but you’ll have to work within space limitations, making room for core items first and leaving space for items that you’ll purchase down the road.

2. Patio furniture: Next think about your patio needs. Do you mostly have friends over for drinks and snacks? Are you eating outside or just preparing the meal? Are you using your space for cocktail parties and entertaining? Once you determine how you’ll use the space the majority of the time, consider the shape and size of furniture that will work best for your space. Our online room planner is a helpful planning tool.

3. Prioritize: If you’re working with a fixed budget, prioritize to purchase items you’ll use the most first. Put your money in the chairs you’ll spend the most time using. If you love to sit outside and lounge, then that’s where you’ll get the most enjoyment. You can set a goal to add side tables and additional seating down the road.

4. Accessorize: A great solution to help you feel like you’ve updated your outdoor space is to add throw pillows, update cushions, bring in foliage or silks or add an outdoor rug. A little goes a long way. Also, don’t be afraid of color. By adding comfortable pillows with bold accent colors, outdoor rooms come to life and immediately feel more welcoming and become more comfortable for relaxing and entertaining.

5. Make a plan: Like anything in life, in order to achieve your dream outdoor living space you need a plan. Define your dream space, and set goals for items you’d like to add and set a target date. By creating an actionable plan to build your outdoor living room in phases, you’ll get the outdoor room you want without sacrificing quality or comfort along the way.

Beef & Bourbon Cooking Class at Clemenza’s at Uptown Station

Join me, Grill Master Wayne, tonight (3/21) at Clemenza’s at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach for my special Big Green Egg cooking demonstration.

The Beef & Bourbon Cooking Class starts at 6 p.m. You won’t want to miss the fun tips, tricks and tools that make grilling on the Big Green Egg even more exceptional. Our menu includes:

Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad

Bourbon Marinated Beef Tenderloin

Grilled Veggies

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Grilled Pineapple Topped with Coconut Ice Cream

Don’t miss this evening of delicious delicacies!

Call 243-0707 for reservations and we will see you there!