Thursday, Jul. 03, 2008

Grillers Get More Adventuresome

By Brandon P. Murray

Contributing Writer

As Independence Day arrives, area markets, such as Market Street in Colleyville and Central Market in Southlake, are working to ensure that the food on their customers’ grills will be suitable for the prime summer holiday.

"Everything is seasonal in the grocery business," said Eddie Owens, director, corporate communications for United Supermarkets. "And you can pretty much count on certain types of things this time of the year."

As the temperatures continue to climb, more people will be flocking to their grills as they move their activities outside, especially with July 4 falling on a Friday this year and holiday celebrations continuing through the weekend, Owens said.

"It is clearly outdoor grilling time," he said.

Besides the traditional steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken, there is a growing trend to purchase other types of foods not typically associated with the grill, Owens said.

Seafood is being purchased for grilling now more than in years past, he said.

"One thing we are offering now in our stores ... is buffalo meat," Owens said. "It’s more tender and leaner than traditional beef, and it’s becoming more and more popular," Owens said. "Once people try it, they are pleasantly surprised at how much they like it."

With lots of folks grilling, Market Street is promoting a variety of items for the grill.

They have a special on propane for grills and soda, Owens said, along with featured grill staples like pork spare ribs.

Central Market is also celebrating the Fourth of July with grilling front-and-center.

"This time of year is all about grilling," said Rick Hopkins, specialty foods director for Central Market in Southlake.

"It is all about having fun, being outside and grilling anything that you can," Hopkins said.

The Southlake store is currently featuring corn, which goes great on the grill, Hopkins said.

Other veggies such as squash, zucchini and bell peppers also go great on the grill, too.

"We do an event every year called 'Thrill of the Grill,’" Hopkins said.

Though "Thrill of the Grill" was last month, Hopkins said the store will continue the theme through the summer with other classes.

The classes show customers how to grill a variety of foods that include clams and mussels, whole fish, pizza, along with vegetables and even fruits, Hopkins said.

"It’s definitely shifting as grills get easier to operate. As people get more adventuresome, we see a whole lot more being experimented with," Hopkins said of the types of foods being grilled.

Contact Market Street in Colleyville at 817-577-5020 or Central Market at 817-310-5600.