AOS COMMUNITY

Today, we're excited to share with you eight incredible outdoor kitchens and garden bars that we've built. These outdoor cooking stations are perfect for grilling delicious BBQ meals while enjoying time with loved ones. Each outdoor BBQ area we've designed is unique, reflecting the style and interests of our clients. Whether you're hosting a big summer barbecue or just relaxing with a drink, these outdoor kitchens and garden bars are the perfect addition to any outdoor living space. 🤩 This galley-style outdoor kitchen, built in Essex, is equipped with plenty of outdoor seating. It includes cushioned outdoor bar stools alongside the BBQ grills, making it a great spot to grill and entertain guests all at once! Here are the full details: • Traeger Ironwood 650 pellet grill • Kamado Joe grill • Stainless steel storage doors and drawers • Monocouche render finish • Porcelain worktop • Split face tiles Located in Upwey House, a Georgian manor, this outdoor kitchenette features an outdoor kitchen bar that doubles as an outdoor seating area - perfect for drinking, relaxing, and eating delicious BBQ food! It also includes a double fridge to store all the client’s drinks for them and their guests to have while outdoor grilling. Here are the full details: • Napoleon Pro 665 gas grill • Alfa 5 Minuti wood fired oven • Beefeater double fridge • Beefeater doors and drawers • Stainless steel sink and tap • 20mm dark granite worktops • Timber shelter with scaffold board cladding • Stone grey render This modern outdoor BBQ kitchen and backyard bar was built with hosting in mind. With a BBQ grill, outdoor barstools, plenty of shelves, and outdoor kitchen cabinets for the client’s drinks, outdoor kitchenware and outdoor cooking accessories, this raised bar area is ready to handle any gathering. Here are the full details: • Napoleon 700 Series 32” gas BBQ • Napoleon single fridge • Unique canopy for all weather conditions • Doors and drawers • Sonos sound system • Dekton kitchen surfaces with splash-back • Unique lighting system This rustic garden kitchen, recently built in the New Forest, features a raised outdoor garden bar on one side of the U-shaped layout. This backyard bar area is a great way to engage with guests while outdoor cooking, and the addition of an outdoor fridge means keeping guests supplied with drinks has never been easier. Here are the full details: • Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 • Gozney Dome pizza oven (olive green) • Monolith Classic Pro Series 2.0 Kamado Grill • Beefeater double fridge • AOS range outdoor kitchen modules • Traditional brick exterior • Dekton ceppo worktops What do you think of this outdoor kitchen and bar? This sheltered BBQ area is complete with its own backyard bar, where the client’s guests get an excellent view of all the barbecuing! The white and grey of the bar stools match the outdoor kitchen and pergola, creating a beautiful look. Here are the full details: • Chiminea style BBQ • Monolith Classic Pro Series 2.0 Kamado Grill • Beefeater single fridge • Stainless steel sink and tap • Cedar battening • Anthracite pergola • Stainless steel single doors • Dekton glacier • Porcelain planks • Sand and cement render This outdoor living space has been transformed into a modern outdoor kitchen and bar area! There are plenty of garden bar stools in white and orange to add a pop of colour to the sleek white worktops and outdoor units. Complete with a BBQ, a fridge, spotlights, and a shelter, this BBQ kitchen and garden bar is a great spot for large gatherings. Here are the full details: • Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 • Napoleon double fridge • Napoleon side burner • Sunstone cupboards, drawers and bin • Dekton glacier • Heating • Spotlight lighting • Contemporary shelter • Render finish This sheltered outdoor BBQ kitchen and bar area has completely elevated this client’s outdoor living area! The bar area is raised, allowing for easy separation between preparation and drinking or dining surfaces, and the position of the chairs allows guests to have a great view of the entire outdoor kitchen. Here are the full details: • Alfa 5 Minuti wood fired pizza oven • Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 BBQ • Beefeater doors • Beefeater pull tank drawer • Hipped roof structure • Indian sandstone patio • 20mm thick granite worktops • Heaters • Open shelving • LED strip lighting This bespoke outdoor kitchen and bar is a great addition to this outdoor living space. The bar area is smaller than the others shown previously; however, it still ensures the client can grill and entertain guests at the same time, while guests enjoy an incredible view of the whole kitchen. Here are the full details: • Beefeater 1600S Series BBQ • Primo Kamado Grill • Ooni pizza oven • Beefeater single fridge • Corten steel style tiles • ‘Absolute Black’ granite worktops • Beefeater stainless steel doors and drawers • Open shelving We hope these outdoor kitchens and bars give you some ideas and inspiration for your own outdoor kitchen designs! To see more outdoor kitchens with bars or explore a variety of BBQ area styles, check out our Instagram (@aos_outdoorkitchens) or other social media. 🔥 If you’d like more information about the garden kitchens shown or are interested in creating your own outdoor kitchen, contact us today! We would love to help. 📲 Sizzle on, Team AOS

An outdoor kitchen is a great addition to any home, offering an ideal space for all your outdoor cooking and entertaining needs. However, selecting the right place for your garden kitchen is crucial to maximise its benefits and make sure it makes your outdoor living experience as stress-free as possible. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the perfect spot for your outdoor BBQ kitchen. 🤩 1. Accessibility • Distance to Indoor Space: The closer your outdoor kitchen is to your indoor kitchen, the easier it will be to transfer food, utensils, and other outdoor cooking essentials between the two spaces. Placing your BBQ kitchen closer to your indoor living space will mean less trips, so may be more efficient. 🏡 • Pathways: Make sure there are clear and safe paths leading to your outdoor kitchen. These should be well-lit and free of obstacles to prevent any accidents, especially when carrying hot BBQ food or outdoor cooking utensils. 🪴 2. Scenic Views Choose a location that offers nice views of your garden, pool, or other beautiful features of your outdoor living area. Having a good view whilst you barbecue will create a more enjoyable outdoor cooking experience!  ⛲️ 3. Weather Considerations • Shelter from Weather: While you want your outdoor living space to be open, protection from the elements is essential. Consider placing your outdoor kitchen under a pergola or other type of shelter to protect against the weather. This will protect your outdoor cooking appliances from rusting and make sure that you can use your outdoor kitchen for BBQs throughout the year, no matter the weather. 🌦️ • Wind Patterns: Pay attention to the wind direction in your area. By positioning your grill or outdoor cooking station so that smoke is blown away from your outdoor dining area and house, it ensures a comfortable environment for everyone. 💨 4. Access to Utilities • Water Supply: If your garden kitchen includes an outdoor sink or dishwasher, being near to your home’s water supply is essential. This will minimise plumbing costs and make installation a lot easier. 💧 • Electricity: Many BBQ kitchens require electricity for outdoor cooking appliances, outdoor lighting, and other features. Ensure your chosen location can easily connect to your home’s electrical system. Make sure to use outdoor-rated outlets and proper wiring, as they are essential for safety. ⚡️ • Gas Line: For those planning to include a gas BBQ grill, BBQ pizza oven, or other gas-powered outdoor cooking appliances, being close to your home’s gas line will simplify installation. Ensure you contact a professional to have safe and proper connections. 👷 5. Avoid Enclosed Areas While it might be tempting to tuck your outdoor kitchen into a cosy corner, it’s important to avoid overly closed off areas. Good ventilation is necessary to prevent smoke from lingering. Make sure there is good airflow around your outdoor cooking space to maintain a pleasant and safe environment. 🌬️ 6. Social and Entertainment Considerations • Dining and Seating Areas: Think about how your outdoor kitchen will integrate with outdoor dining and seating areas. Ideally, there should be a smooth flow between the outdoor cooking, eating, and lounging areas to create a cohesive outdoor living space. 🍽️ • Entertainment Features: If you plan to include features like a TV or bar, the outdoor kitchen will need to be close enough to seating areas to ensure good lines of sight. 📺 7. Privacy Your outdoor living space should be a private place where you can relax and entertain without feeling too exposed. You may want to use landscaping, such as hedges, trees, or other plants, to create a sense of privacy while still maintaining an open atmosphere. 🌳 Choosing the right location for your outdoor kitchen is a big choice, and can impact your outdoor living experience. By considering accessibility, views, weather, utilities, and other factors, you can create a functional and beautiful outdoor cooking area that enhances your home and lifestyle. With careful planning, your outdoor kitchen will become the favourite gathering spot for family and friends, providing great memories and tasty BBQ dishes for years to come. 🧑‍🍳 If you have any more questions about outdoor kitchens, check out our other community forum posts, or contact us! We would love to help. 📲 Sizzle on, Team AOS

As the world gathers to celebrate the 2024 Olympics, there's no better time to get outside, get your barbecues on, and bring the flavours of various Olympic host countries to your outdoor kitchen. Cooking international dishes is a delicious way to test your outdoor cooking skills, taste delicious bbq food and celebrate the Olympic games. Here are some easy dinner ideas and bbq recipes inspired by Olympic host countries that you can prepare right in your outdoor bbq kitchen, which will make your Olympic viewing parties unforgettable! 🧑‍🍳🏅 France: Ratatouille France, the host of the 2024 Summer Olympics, is known for its great food, such as Ratatouille, which is a traditional vegetable dish. This easy Ratatouille recipe is perfect to cook up in your outdoor kitchenette. 🍅🫑 Ingredients: • Aubergine, sliced • Courgette, sliced • Bell peppers, sliced • Tomatoes, sliced • Onion, sliced • Garlic, minced • Olive oil • Herbes de Provence • Salt and pepper Instructions: Prepare the Vegetables: Toss the sliced vegetables with the oil, garlic and seasonings. Grill: Preheat the barbecue grill to medium heat. Grill the vegetables until soft and lightly charred, turning occasionally. Assemble and Serve: Layer the grilled vegetables in a serving dish, drizzle with additional olive oil if desired, and serve your French Ratatouille warm. Japan: Yakitori Japan, the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics, is renowned for their cuisine. Yakitori, which is grilled chicken skewers, is a popular Japanese street food. This easy, at home yakitori  barbecue recipe is a tasty bbq chicken idea to create in your outdoor cooking station. 🍗🔥 Ingredients: • Chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces • Spring onions, cut into 1-inch pieces • Soy sauce • Mirin • Sake • Sugar Instructions: Marinate: Combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar to create the bbq marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. Skewer: Put chicken pieces and spring onions on the barbecue skewers. Grill: Preheat your smoke grill or gas bbq grill to medium-high heat. Grill the bbq skewers, turning occasionally and basting with the marinade, until the barbecue chicken is cooked through and slightly charred. Serve: Serve hot with some sea salt. Brazil: Picanha Brazil, the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, is famous for its churrasco, which refers to grilled bbq meat. In a Brazilian BBQ, picanha, a flavourful cut of beef, is a barbecue staple. Whether you’re a regular at grilling steaks in your outdoor bbq area, or are new to the world of barbecue, grilled or smoked picanha is a delicious and simple dinner idea. 🥩🤩 Ingredients: • Picanha, trimmed • Sea salt Instructions: Prepare the BBQ Meat: Score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern. Season the meat with sea salt. Skewer and Grill: Skewer the meat in a “C” shape and place it on the grill over high heat. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure it cooks completely and is crispy. Rest and Serve: Let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing and serve with chimichurri sauce. Greece: Lamb Kebabs Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics and the host of the 2004 Summer Olympics, is known for their wide range of food, and many of which, like homemade lamb kebabs, are popular meals to cook in an outdoor kitchen. 🥙✨ Ingredients: • Lamb, cut into cubes • Olive oil • Lemon juice • Garlic, minced • Fresh rosemary, chopped • Oregano • Salt and pepper • Pitta bread Instructions: Marinate: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, oregano, salt, and pepper to create a marinade. Add the lamb cubes and marinate for at least 1 hour. Skewer and Grill: Thread the marinated lamb kebab on skewers. Grill the marinated lamb skewers over medium-high heat until the bbq lamb skewers are cooked through and charred. Serve: Serve the bbq lamb kebabs with pitta bread, tzatziki sauce, and a fresh salad. Australia: BBQ Prawns Australia hosted the Summer Olympics in 2000, and are well known for their sunny weather and outdoor grilling and barbecues, so it’s only fair we include a BBQ dish inspired by them - specifically grilled prawns, or “shrimp on the barbie.” 🦐☀️ Ingredients: • Large prawns, peeled and deveined • Olive oil • Lemon juice • Garlic, minced • Fresh parsley, chopped • Salt and pepper Instructions: Marinate: Toss the raw prawns with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper and let them marinate for 15-30 minutes. Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated prawns for 2-3 minutes per side, until they are pink and opaque. Serve: Serve the BBQ prawns hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You may choose to make barbecue prawn skewers, which is a simple way to elevate this meal. Spain: Paella Looking for a dish inspired by the 1992 Olympic host? Chicken and prawn paella, a flavourful rice dish with seafood, chicken, and saffron, is perfect for outdoor cooking and can be easily adapted into a vegetarian paella by adjusting the ingredients, making this paella dish to be a guaranteed hit with your friends and family. 🥘🐟 Ingredients: • Olive oil • Chicken thighs, cut into pieces • Prawns • Mussels • Squid, sliced • Onion, chopped • Bell peppers, chopped • Garlic, minced • Tomatoes, grated • Saffron threads • Paprika • Paella rice, or short-grain rice • Chicken stock • Peas • Lemon wedges Instructions: Prepare the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pan, add the chicken and cook until browned. Once the chicken is cooked, put it to the side, and add the seafood. Then remove and set aside. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, sauté the onion, peppers, and garlic until soft. Add the grated tomatoes, saffron, and paprika, cooking until the mixture thickens. Cook the Rice: Add the paella rice to the pan, stirring to coat it with the tomato mixture. Pour in the chicken stock and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer without stirring until it is nearly cooked. Add Ingredients: Return the ingredients to the pan, along with peas and cook until everything is heated through and fully cooked. Serve: Serve this seafood paella whilst hot, and garnish with lemon wedges. Germany: Bratwurst Germany, the host of the 1972 Summer Olympics, is well known for Bratwurst, a type of German sausage. Bratwurst sausage is an ideal choice for your barbecue, due to its delicious flavours. So, whether you’re celebrating an Olympic event or simply enjoying a summer BBQ, bratwurst is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 🌭🍻 Ingredients: • Bratwurst sausages • Beer (optional) • Onions, sliced • Mustard • Sauerkraut • Pretzel buns Instructions: Pre-Cook (Optional): To create beer bratwurst, simmer the bratwurst in beer with sliced onions for about 15 minutes to infuse flavour. Grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat and grill the bratwurst until browned and fully cooked, making sure to turn it occasionally. Serve: Serve the bratwurst in pretzel buns with mustard and sauerkraut. Italy: Pizza Italy hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics and is a universally loved cuisine. Pizza is the best bbq dish for your summer garden parties, as it is a guaranteed hit, and grilled pizza is a delightful twist that can be easily prepared in your outdoor barbecue kitchen. This recipe is specifically for a barbecue, but can be easily adjusted to be made in a pizza oven. 🍕🧀 Ingredients: • Pizza dough • Olive oil • Tomato sauce • Fresh mozzarella, sliced • Basil leaves • Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms,etc.) Instructions: Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour your outdoor kitchen worktop and roll out the pizza dough. Brush both sides with olive oil. Grill the Dough: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the dough until it begins bubbling and has grill marks, then flip over. Add Toppings: Spread your sauce over the grilled side, add mozzarella and other desired toppings. Finish Grilling: Close the grill lid and cook until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden and crisp. Serve: Serve your pizza hot and garnish with basil. Hosting an Olympic-themed gathering in your outdoor kitchen is a fantastic way to celebrate the event and enjoy the diverse flavours inspired by the Olympic host countries. These recipes are delicious and simple to make on your outdoor grill or outdoor oven, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the games and less time in your outdoor kitchen. 🥂😎 If you give any of these Olympic inspired BBQ dishes a go, or have any other ideas, be sure to let us know in the comments. We’d love to see what you create! 😊⭐️ Sizzle on, Team AOS