The Hog Roast Surrey Quays team were delighted to get our feet a little wet earlier in May as we came out to the Surrey Quays Watersports Centre to provide our catering support for the 25th annual Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge in aid of CRASH charity. The charity dragon boat challenge invites dragon boat afficionados and total newbies to come out for a day of thrilling racing over 200 metres. Along with the races, there was also plenty of entertainment on offer as well as free gourmet BBQ dining for the racers provided by the team at Hog Roast Surrey.
Dragon boating is a new one to us, but after spending a day out at this incredible event we must say that it is an extraordinary watersport to watch and no doubt participate in too! As we’ve now been informed, dragon boat racing is a tradition that originated in China over 2000 years ago. It puts a team of paddlers in some of the most magnificent and colourfully decorated boats you’ve ever seen, each adorned with a dragon’s head and tail to make this one of the more unique races you’ll see out on the waters. As well as looking great, it also sounds great too as each boat also has a drummer to keep the paddlers in rhythm together. We had a wonderful time watching, but we have no doubt that it was hungry work for all those paddlers – fortunately, Hog Roast Surrey Quays were on hand to get everyone fed right away after the finish line!
Before the event participants had filled out a form to opt into our veggie bbq range or our meat BBQ range, but they could also purchase additional tickets if they wished. This way, we knew just how much food we would need, and it was a lot! With meat options of gourmet sausages, chicken thighs, and sausages all served with cheese and grilled onions with bbq pulled pork, or veggie main options of bbq pulled jackfruit, veggie burgers, and grilled veg and halloumi skewers, there was plenty to get everyone race ready/refreshed. We then also had plenty of sides with our chef’s own pasta salad, slaw, fresh salads, sweet potato fries, and herb dressed new potatoes. For anyone still hungry after all that, there was also cheesecake and profiteroles for dessert!