Sam’s Club Fires Up the Grill
To help families add sizzle to their backyard barbecues, Sam’s Club will hold a Spring Taste of Sam’s Club across the U.S., at which members and non-members alike can sample various grilling options. The free annual event, which will take place Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will highlight merchandise and grilling essentials.
Although the warehouse club division of Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. carries all of the seasonal staples, including steak, burgers, chicken and fresh produce, it will also challenge backyard chefs to try grilling such unconventional food choices as avocados, watermelons and even angel food cake, aided by Joshua Bousel, meatmaster at the Serious Eats blog and Meatwave.com host.
“An extended grilling season means backyard chefs may want to think beyond the burger to discover new recipes that will bring a twist to the traditional barbecue staples,” explained Bousel. “Sam’s Club offers plenty of inspiration around fun, fresh ingredients to sear, marinate and roast. By taking advantage of their wide assortment, I'll be able to expand my menu choices and easily entertain my guests.”
Bousel’s grilling adventures with unusual ingredients will be featured as video vignettes on the Sam’s Club Facebook page starting April 23. During this time period, consumers can submit their own wacky “Will it Grill?” items, tweeting @SamsClub using the hashtag #SimpleSavings or “Liking” the retailer’s Facebook page. The wildest submissions will appear on Facebook the week of April 25.
During the sampling event, non-members can take advantage of Sam's Club exclusives without a service fee on such outdoor entertaining items as patio and dining furniture, fresh grilling favorites, and restaurant-quality groceries.
“Our annual Spring Taste of Sam's Club event is an interactive way for members and non-members to prepare for grilling season and ‘try before they buy’ our selection of fresh meats and seafood, fresh produce, beverages and gourmet-to-go bakery items,” said Shawn Baldwin, SVP of fresh/freezer/cooler and demos at Sam’s Club, the nation's eighth-largest retailer, which has more than 47 million members in clubs across the United States, as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. “The Sam's Club 200 percent freshness guarantee on these items also means families can feel confident about serving top-quality meals throughout the summer grilling season.”
Shoppers can go online for further seasonal grilling and outdoor entertaining solutions, as well as to find healthy grilling recipes.