24th July 2008

'Successful Hog Roasting for the Caterer' — Step-by-step DVD

Hog roasts are tremendously popular with customers and present an excellent opportunity for caterers. That's why BPEX (British Pork Executive) Ltd has produced a DVD, ‘Successful Hog Roasting for the Caterer’, which provides a step-by-step guide to holding a successful event.

Introduced by two members of the award-winning British Barbecue Team, team captain Matt Shropshall and master butcher Viv Harvey, the DVD demonstrates that holding a hog roast can be quite easy to manage and also extremely lucrative.

Matt says: “What never ceases to amaze me is the amount of people who enjoy simple, tasty food cooked outdoors. Nothing entices customers like the smell and taste of hot spit-roasted pork.

“We look at a number of elements in the DVD such as how holding a hog roast will drive footfall into your business, how it will give your customers a great eating experience and, most importantly, how it can help you to profit.”

The DVD features advice on how to use flat-bed rotisseries as well as spits, guidance on recommended cooking times and how to prepare the carcass for roasting. Plus a marketing section includes a template press release and poster to help caterers promote the event.

BPEX foodservice trade manager, Tony Goodger, says: “Everyone loves to dine al fresco when the weather turns nice and having a spit roast outdoors is sure to wow customers. Spit roast cooking locks flavour into the meat but as the fat drips off as it cooks, the resulting meat is not only delicious, but also better for you.

“Do make sure you market your event with the help of the press release template and posters as you’re likely to encourage new as well as existing customers through the door, helping to drive sales even further.”

The DVD advises caterers to remember five ‘P’s’ when organising a hog roast event to achieve maximum success:

• Plan your event well in advance
• Promote your event through the local press, posters and word of mouth
• Position your hog roast accordingly to maximise customer awareness
• Provide good quality bread, condiments and salads
• Price your event to include the hire of equipment, food and margins to ensure you profit from pork.

To get your free copy of the DVD available to caterers, simply contact BPEX Ltd by telephone on: 01908 844114 or by email at: foodservice@bpex.org.uk.