EXCLUSIVE: A top chef revealed a simple trick to take your summer barbecue to the next level, moving beyond the classic burgers and hot dogs08:30, 11 Jul 2026With barbecue season now in full swing, chef Poppy O'Toole, also known as Poppy Cooks, has revealed her essential advice for hosting the ideal summer cookout. While burgers and hot dogs continue to be barbecue staples, many also relish enjoying the likes of chargrilled chicken thighs, alongside nibbles on the table.‌However, chicken can often become dry on the grill, which is precisely why, according to Poppy, preparation is paramount.‌The chef, frequently called the Potato Queen, suggests covering chicken thighs in a wet marinade the evening before cooking to help maintain their moisture.‌Revealing her favourite recipe, she suggests using water, salt, a touch of sugar, lemon, herbs, garlic, a dash of vinegar and lemon juice. "Leave that to kind of do its thing overnight in the fridge," she told us."It just means that they're going to be super moist [when] they go onto that hot barbecue," reports the Express.‌"And then you can grill them and I like to sometimes do a little hot honey glaze, use that little herb brush, glaze on hot honey at the end just to give it a proper chargrill."Beyond meat, Poppy maintains that potatoes warrant a spot on the barbecue as well. "Barbecued potatoes, they need to be in this year," she declared enthusiastically.The This Morning regular suggests parboiling the potatoes for roughly eight minutes before threading them onto two skewers sideways and positioning them on the grill.‌In an earlier tutorial on her YouTube channel, she made them with a maple chilli butter glaze, producing what she called a "smoky, crispy and buttery" result.Nevertheless, Poppy suggests a garlic butter or hot honey glaze also works wonderfully. To introduce even greater flavour, she advises serving the potatoes alongside whipped feta.Poppy's barbecue guidance comes as fresh research of 2,000 adults revealed that 87% of UK adults enjoy "picky bits" during the summer, while nearly a third (31%) choose grazing-style meals at least once weekly.‌The study, commissioned by Nanna Tate, also discovered potatoes are a favoured addition to numerous of the nation's beloved summer dishes, with half of Brits (50%) stating they would gladly serve chips or potatoes with barbecue food.Speaking about her collaboration with the brand, the chef said: "There's nothing better than spending time with loved ones over delicious food during the summer months.‌"The best recipes don't have to be complicated. All you need is simple, quality ingredients to create a dish everyone will enjoy."I've loved teaming up with Nanna Tate to celebrate the launch of its new Baby potatoes range and developing recipes that will really elevate mealtimes this summer.Article continues below"Potatoes are such a great ingredient to use across main and side dishes as they are so versatile, whether you're feeding little ones or a larger group, there are endless ways to turn them into tasty meals," she added."Nanna Tate makes it easy to create effortless summer dishes, perfect for picnics, barbecues or late night dinners."For further details about Nanna Tate and its full range of potato products, head to www.nannatate.com