A Sporting Celebration

England or Wales? Whichever country you are rooting for in the current UEFA Euro2020 competition right now, both teams still have everything to play for.

There is always an air of hopefulness around this event, as we cheer for our favourite team from the sofa, or while having a pint at the pub. Watching a game is also the perfect excuse to get family and friends together for a few drinks and enjoy some delicious food.

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor projector or TV (and the weather is being kind) you could host the ultimate Euros-inspired barbecue. From traditional burgers and bangers to more adventurous selections, Lakings has everything you need to ensure your party scores points with your guests.

Lakings barbecue packs are available in several sizes. Our popular family pack includes: four Lincolnshire Pork Loin Steaks, four Rib Eye Steaks, four Baby Back Ribs, two Steak Burgers, two Pepper Steak Burgers, two 454g award-winning Jumbo Lincolnshire Sausages and four Lamb Koftas. Next day delivery is available online Monday to Friday, so you don’t even need to leave home to pick up the essentials (apart from the beers).

We also offer a range of grillsticks, kebabs and different flavoured burgers, including pork and apple and lamb and mint patties.

If you don’t trust the weather, why not serve up a hearty chilli using Lakings mince beef? Made from the finest beef chuck, our hand produced mince promises to turn an everyday meal into a true showstopper. Bring your A-game with a large bowl of ‘dirty’ cheese and bacon-loaded nachos and your guests may not even care which team is winning.

Football isn’t the only sport that is back for 2021. Tennis lovers will no doubt be thrilled at the return on Wimbledon, with superstars Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Roger Federer all set to compete for the men’s title. And keep your eye out for Scotland’s wild card Andy Murray.

The two-time champion is back competing in the singles for the first time since 2017, having had two operations and a metal hip inserted since he limped out at the quarter-final stage four years ago. For the women, names to watch include world number one Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and veteran player Serena Williams who is chasing her 24th slam singles win.

But what to eat during such exciting games?

Afternoon tea has to be the all-around winner, surely? Make a selection of delicate sandwiches using Lakings honey roast ham with a dollop of mustard on brown bread. Next, plate up a Lakings sliced mushroom quiche, one of our handmade pork pies with Scotch eggs and sausage rolls.

For a sweet treat, we have egg custards, Bakewell tarts and Malteser tiffin. Or, for a light nibble, serve up a platter of Black Bomber cheese, creamy Cropwell Bishop stilton and crackers, with a side of chutney, Mrs Darlington’s Piccalilli and pickled onions.

All items are available from our pantry selection in store and online. Just remember to pick up the strawberries and cream and a bottle of Pimm’s!

Dates for your diary

• The Euro 2020 quarterfinals will be played over the weekend of Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3.
• The semi-finals will be played on July 6 and July 7, with the final of the competition taking place at Wembley (Covid-19 restrictions permitting) on Sunday, July 11.
• At this stage, we don’t know which of the competing nations will be playing (‘Come On, England’) but even if our boys don’t make it through to the finals, we can still enjoy the spectacle of the ‘beautiful game’.

Wimbledon begins in earnest on June 28 and runs until July 11.