Tag Archive for: Summer BBQ

The RBIF’s pipe band

, , , ,

Anyone who has been to a Burns Supper will not forget the rousing sound of bagpipes and drums in full flow. It really lends a great deal of authenticity to the event, and makes it a memorable night for Scots and non-Scots alike. But how much do you actually know about the pipers and drummers who perform for us every year? Did you know there are World Champions in the ballroom every year? Did you know that this is often the only time they now play together?

We asked Stevie Brown about who the band are, where they come from, and most importantly, why do they come back year after year…

 

Most of us played together at Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band and have known each other for around 35 years. We live all over Scotland, and mostly having retired from competing now, we get together especially to come to Budapest.

It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to join you once again this year and we are delighted to congratulate the RBIF on the occasion of the 25th Burns Supper to raise funds for the Foundation and the worthy causes it supports.

We have been very fortunate, in the past, to have competed at the highest level, winning numerous titles, including multiple World Championships. We have been afforded the opportunity to travel the world, we’ve appeared on TV shows, met celebrities and made recordings, even earning a gold disc for a collaboration with traditional musicians from across Europe.

 

However, to be associated with the RBIF for around 20 years has provided us with the most gratifying and humbling experiences, not only entertaining guests at the Burns Supper, but actively engaging with the children who benefit from the charity work of the Foundation.

 

We have played for youngsters in hospital cancer wards, orphanages, schools and community centres and cannot overstate the effects these visits have had on us. We hope that we have left the children with even a fraction of the memories with which they have provided us.

 

Budapest has become a very special place for us and the friendships formed here will last for many years to come. We wish the RBIF continued success in all its ventures in the future and are eternally grateful to be acknowledged by the Foundation as the charity’s official pipers and drummers.

2021 Annual BBQ

, , ,

On 29th August 2021 the RBIF held its fourth annual BBQ at the Chefparade Country venue in Etyek.

The day started in bright sunshine in keeping with the end of August date, and we welcomed around 90 people to the fantastic venue that is Chefparade in Etyek.

With plenty of space for kids to run around the venue is the perfect location to relax as the summer draws to a close, and we were certainly well looked after.

BBQ cuisine

Paul Mizener and his team at the Chefparade cooking school had been preparing the food for up to 48 hours in some cases, and this was evident in the range of delicious meats they put on: Salmon steaks, chicken thighs prepared in the smoker, burnt end chili, the most amazing fillet steak, and the ever-popular BBQ pulled pork, accompanied by coleslaw, pickles and potatoes.

And if that were not enough, at the end we were able to enjoy Paul’s famous brownie, you need to taste it to believe it.

Fine wines

But it wasn’t all about the food, once again we enjoyed the support of the Etyeki Kúria Winery, who popped over from their neighbouring estate and allowed us to taste some great wines, the Pláne Frizzante White, the Kúria Sauvignon Blanc, and the Kúria Red, all perfectly suited to the weather and the food.

 

As the afternoon wore on, the clouds gathered and we were treated to a huge rainstorm, but fortunately we are well catered for at Chefparade and were all able to move under the shelter of the pergola to enjoy the rest of the afternoon in great company.

The event couldn’t have been the success it was without the support of our sponsors particularly the Budapest British International School, our main BBQ sponsor.

 

We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Just click on the photo below to view all the pictures from the BBQ:

photos: Amy Arnott

2020 Annual BBQ

, , ,

The forecast all week held out the prospect of rain, but again we were fortunate with the weather as 100 guests descended on the wine village of Etyek for the RBIF’s 3rd Annual BBQ on 30 August 2020.

With plenty of space for kids to run around the venue is the perfect location to relax as the summer draws to a close, and we were certainly well looked after.

BBQ cuisine

Paul Mizener and his team at the Chefparade cooking school had been preparing the food for up to 48 hours in some cases, and this was evident in the range of delicious meats they put on: BBQ spare ribs, chicken thighs prepared in the smoker, burnt end chili, amazing fillet steak, and the ever-popular BBQ pulled pork, accompanied by coleslaw, pickles and potatoes..

And if that were not enough, at the end we were able to enjoy Paul’s famous brownie, you need to taste it to believe it.

Fine wines

But it wasn’t all about the food, once again we enjoyed the support of the Etyeki Kúria Winery, who popped over from their neighbouring estate and allowed us to taste some great wines, the Pláne Frizzante White, the Kúria Rose, and the Kúria Red, all perfectly suited to the weather and the food.

Sponsors’ help is crucial

Events like the BBQ don’t fund themselves, so we were very grateful for the help of Mike Glover and his team at Taxually (“VAT compliance has never been easier”), whose generous offer of sponsorship enabled us to hold this year’s event. We raised almost HUF 200,000 which will be put towards our projects in 2021.

We were fortunate to be able to organise the BBQ against the background of COVID-19 and all the complications it brings, and fingers crossed we will see you all again in January for the Burns Supper at the Corinthia Hotel.

Just click on the photo below to view all the pictures from the BBQ:

photos: Pelle Zoltán

2019 Annual BBQ

, , ,

On 1 September 2019 the RBIF held its second annual BBQ at the Chefparade Country venue in Etyek, just 30 minutes outside Budapest.

In glorious sunshine, the RBIF returned to the beautiful location in the wine-village of Etyek for a fun family day, but also to raise money for the Bethesda Children’s Hospital in Budapest.

Second charity RBIF BBQ event

The BBQ was a great success with the guests spanning the generations, who were able to relax in the sun or the shade with a glass of beer or a glass of wine from the local winery, the Etyeki Kúria, before Paul Mizener and his team of chefs at Chefparade got the BBQ lunch underway.

Fillet steak, BBQ spare ribs, pulled pork, roast chicken and chili con carne were all on the menu, followed by brownies to finish off.

Playful afternoon

Whilst all this was going on the kids were able to run around and play in the huge area beside the BBQ, with football, sack races, croquet, frisbees and all sorts of other games on offer. Keller & Mayer also brought a variety of board games to keep the young ones occupied.

The event couldn’t have been the success it was without the support of the sponsors below, a big thank you to all of them.

Hungary’s fastest-growing online expat portal and the RBIF’s media partner, Expat Press Hungary Magazine, was also at the event.

We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Just click on the photo below to view all the pictures from the BBQ:

photos: Pelle Zoltán

The RBIF’s pipe band

, , , ,

Anyone who has been to a Burns Supper will not forget the rousing sound of bagpipes and drums in full flow. It really lends a great deal of authenticity to the event, and makes it a memorable night for Scots and non-Scots alike. But how much do you actually know about the pipers and drummers who perform for us every year? Did you know there are World Champions in the ballroom every year? Did you know that this is often the only time they now play together?

We asked Stevie Brown about who the band are, where they come from, and most importantly, why do they come back year after year…

 

Most of us played together at Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band and have known each other for around 35 years. We live all over Scotland, and mostly having retired from competing now, we get together especially to come to Budapest.

It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to join you once again this year and we are delighted to congratulate the RBIF on the occasion of the 25th Burns Supper to raise funds for the Foundation and the worthy causes it supports.

We have been very fortunate, in the past, to have competed at the highest level, winning numerous titles, including multiple World Championships. We have been afforded the opportunity to travel the world, we’ve appeared on TV shows, met celebrities and made recordings, even earning a gold disc for a collaboration with traditional musicians from across Europe.

 

However, to be associated with the RBIF for around 20 years has provided us with the most gratifying and humbling experiences, not only entertaining guests at the Burns Supper, but actively engaging with the children who benefit from the charity work of the Foundation.

 

We have played for youngsters in hospital cancer wards, orphanages, schools and community centres and cannot overstate the effects these visits have had on us. We hope that we have left the children with even a fraction of the memories with which they have provided us.

 

Budapest has become a very special place for us and the friendships formed here will last for many years to come. We wish the RBIF continued success in all its ventures in the future and are eternally grateful to be acknowledged by the Foundation as the charity’s official pipers and drummers.

2021 Annual BBQ

, , ,

On 29th August 2021 the RBIF held its fourth annual BBQ at the Chefparade Country venue in Etyek.

The day started in bright sunshine in keeping with the end of August date, and we welcomed around 90 people to the fantastic venue that is Chefparade in Etyek.

With plenty of space for kids to run around the venue is the perfect location to relax as the summer draws to a close, and we were certainly well looked after.

BBQ cuisine

Paul Mizener and his team at the Chefparade cooking school had been preparing the food for up to 48 hours in some cases, and this was evident in the range of delicious meats they put on: Salmon steaks, chicken thighs prepared in the smoker, burnt end chili, the most amazing fillet steak, and the ever-popular BBQ pulled pork, accompanied by coleslaw, pickles and potatoes.

And if that were not enough, at the end we were able to enjoy Paul’s famous brownie, you need to taste it to believe it.

Fine wines

But it wasn’t all about the food, once again we enjoyed the support of the Etyeki Kúria Winery, who popped over from their neighbouring estate and allowed us to taste some great wines, the Pláne Frizzante White, the Kúria Sauvignon Blanc, and the Kúria Red, all perfectly suited to the weather and the food.

 

As the afternoon wore on, the clouds gathered and we were treated to a huge rainstorm, but fortunately we are well catered for at Chefparade and were all able to move under the shelter of the pergola to enjoy the rest of the afternoon in great company.

The event couldn’t have been the success it was without the support of our sponsors particularly the Budapest British International School, our main BBQ sponsor.

 

We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Just click on the photo below to view all the pictures from the BBQ:

photos: Amy Arnott

2020 Annual BBQ

, , ,

The forecast all week held out the prospect of rain, but again we were fortunate with the weather as 100 guests descended on the wine village of Etyek for the RBIF’s 3rd Annual BBQ on 30 August 2020.

With plenty of space for kids to run around the venue is the perfect location to relax as the summer draws to a close, and we were certainly well looked after.

BBQ cuisine

Paul Mizener and his team at the Chefparade cooking school had been preparing the food for up to 48 hours in some cases, and this was evident in the range of delicious meats they put on: BBQ spare ribs, chicken thighs prepared in the smoker, burnt end chili, amazing fillet steak, and the ever-popular BBQ pulled pork, accompanied by coleslaw, pickles and potatoes..

And if that were not enough, at the end we were able to enjoy Paul’s famous brownie, you need to taste it to believe it.

Fine wines

But it wasn’t all about the food, once again we enjoyed the support of the Etyeki Kúria Winery, who popped over from their neighbouring estate and allowed us to taste some great wines, the Pláne Frizzante White, the Kúria Rose, and the Kúria Red, all perfectly suited to the weather and the food.

Sponsors’ help is crucial

Events like the BBQ don’t fund themselves, so we were very grateful for the help of Mike Glover and his team at Taxually (“VAT compliance has never been easier”), whose generous offer of sponsorship enabled us to hold this year’s event. We raised almost HUF 200,000 which will be put towards our projects in 2021.

We were fortunate to be able to organise the BBQ against the background of COVID-19 and all the complications it brings, and fingers crossed we will see you all again in January for the Burns Supper at the Corinthia Hotel.

Just click on the photo below to view all the pictures from the BBQ:

photos: Pelle Zoltán

2019 Annual BBQ

, , ,

On 1 September 2019 the RBIF held its second annual BBQ at the Chefparade Country venue in Etyek, just 30 minutes outside Budapest.

In glorious sunshine, the RBIF returned to the beautiful location in the wine-village of Etyek for a fun family day, but also to raise money for the Bethesda Children’s Hospital in Budapest.

Second charity RBIF BBQ event

The BBQ was a great success with the guests spanning the generations, who were able to relax in the sun or the shade with a glass of beer or a glass of wine from the local winery, the Etyeki Kúria, before Paul Mizener and his team of chefs at Chefparade got the BBQ lunch underway.

Fillet steak, BBQ spare ribs, pulled pork, roast chicken and chili con carne were all on the menu, followed by brownies to finish off.

Playful afternoon

Whilst all this was going on the kids were able to run around and play in the huge area beside the BBQ, with football, sack races, croquet, frisbees and all sorts of other games on offer. Keller & Mayer also brought a variety of board games to keep the young ones occupied.

The event couldn’t have been the success it was without the support of the sponsors below, a big thank you to all of them.

Hungary’s fastest-growing online expat portal and the RBIF’s media partner, Expat Press Hungary Magazine, was also at the event.

We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Just click on the photo below to view all the pictures from the BBQ:

photos: Pelle Zoltán