Summer is here, and it’s time to fire up the grill! As the weather begins to perk up, customers will be on the lookout for the perfect counter to get their BBQ meat.

The best counters don’t just display meat for grilling, but also offer healthy, dietary accessible and visually appealing options.

Read through our top tips on making your counter a feast for the eyes and the stomach.

Make it colourful

Customers are looking more regularly for ready-glazed / coated meat. This allows them to create restaurant-standard food, from the comfort of their own home.

The added benefit of glazed meats at your counter? Bright colours catch the eye, drawing your customers’ attention to them, as well as making your counter stand out.

Our range of glazes and coaters is the perfect way to brighten up a variety of proteins, making your products as beautiful as they are tasty.

Provide quality ingredients

Providing great-quality ingredients ensures your customers can’t stop coming back for more.

Sustainably sourced ingredients that undergo rigorous quality and taste testing means your customers get a better-tasting product, with improved nutritional value and enjoyment!

Have options for dietary restrictions

Around 2.3 million people in the UK are unable to eat gluten, making gluten free options a necessity for every meat counter. More people have chosen a gluten free lifestyle for it’s health advantages, too!

We have a wide range of gluten free options, including our Desire Sausage Mixes, Gluten Free Burger Mixes, and our Glazes and Coaters range.

Healthy alternatives

Healthy options are all the rage right now, so prioritising the health of your customers is essential.

Consider picking ingredients that:

• Are low in sodium or MSG free
• Avoid artificial colours and flavours
• Allow for higher protein content
• Offer low fat and sugar free options

Offer innovative products

Offering artisan products at your counter makes it unique and stands out among the rest. A few unique offerings at your counter can be a game changer.

Try products like:

• Truffles
• Parcels
• Burger Bombs
• Meat Battenbergs (wrapped in pastry)
• Meat Roulades
• Stuffed Rolled Pork/ Lamb Racks

With the right seasonings, mixes, and glazes, these added-value products are sure to draw in customers!

Feel good hit of the summer

Check out what’s trending this Summer! From big nights in, to ultra-indulgence, to tropical and exotic flavours, there’s a whole world of trends to pick from and boost your products’ desirability.

For 2025, consider:

• Cultural fusion (Pan-Asian, Mexican, Italian)
• Plant-based options (or the option of a hybrid: meat blended with plant protein)
• Lean proteins (poultry & fish)
• Indulgence (oversized, dirty burgers, gourmet hotdogs, nostalgia recipes, double down on flavour)
• Snacks on-the-go & savoury treats (biltong, scotch eggs, sausage rolls, pork pies)
• Mini & easy meals (that your customers can just pop in the oven or air fryer)
• ‘Swavoury’ flavours (mixing sweet flavour profiles with savoury, e.g. hot honey, salted caramel, maple bacon)

We’re always keeping up to date and offering advice on the latest trends and how to make them work for our customers. You can stay in the loop on this on our social media and email newsletter, where you can find in-depth knowledge and advice on food trends.

How can we help?

At The Dalesman Group, we’re committed to providing your customers with only the best. With over four decades of experience, we’ve perfected getting the most out of flavour.

With a plethora of products readily available on DalesmanDirect.com in addition to our bespoke product creation services, we have everything you need to give your customers the ultimate BBQ season.

Not sure where to start? As our customer, you’ll have access to our NPD technical support, who will help steer you according to trends and best sellers. They’ll even make sure you’re hitting all the top tips in this blog!

Get in touch

Interested in getting your hands on our fabulous flavours? Buy them now on DalesmanDirect.com or download our Tempting Tapas flyer here.

Want to work with us? In addition to the abundance of ‘off-the-shelf’ products we have available, our dedicated team of product development experts can create a wide range of delicious new flavours for your business. Just get in touch on:

Email: taste@thedalesmangroup.co.uk

Phone: 01274 758000

Or leave a message for the team below: