Floyd's often chaotic and amateur approach to TV presenting is what truly endeared him to many. His on screen drinking and passionate defence about the finer things in life as well as his critical stance on modern day eating habits and culinary indifference for many made cooking cool and accessible.

Part of his success was speaking in simple English and his love of food and drink.

Modern day celebrity chefs have been paying homage to the original TV chef. Marco Pierre White said: “He had this great ability at the stove, great confidence. He was a natural cook.” Jamie Oliver went as far as to say: “Keith was not just one of the best, he was the best television chef. An incredible man who lived life to the full and and was an inspiration to me.”

In true Floyd character he is refuted to of died peacfully after a champagne and fish supper.

Keith Floyds TV programmes were truly ground-breaking in their day. The format saw an often tipsy Floyd in odd locations, often performing amazing feats of outside catering. Often with no assisting mobile caterers it went wrong and with an instant quip and a glug of wine the food would often go in the bin.

Aside from his cookery programmes Floyd also wrote 20 books and its they not the TV that made Floyd wealthy. Ironically his biography is due to be published next year and ensuring his death will make his estate even richer.

Despite success as an author and presenter Floy’d personal life was as chaotic as his presenting style. A lack of business sense was a key flaw and after the popular BBC shows he starred in finished he reputedly went bust after accepting a massive cheque at his pub in Devon which bounced. He had 3 failed marriages and has a 4th wife.

Obviously, if your venue is out doors and you plan a relaxed summer garden party barbecue for few friends, pigging out with a hearty Hog Roast or hosting a lavish themed wedding or civil partnership reception for hundreds of guests in a marquee with exquisite private catering, then you dont really have much option but to use catering companies. The same applies if your desired venue is indoors, but may not have any kitchen or food preparation facilities at all. That could be anything from a village hall, a romantic castle, a conference room or a boat.

True, at some venues like hotels you can access the catering services they provide, whether the event uses their indoor facilities or is hosted in their gardens or grounds. These services can also be supplied at an all-inclusive rate if you intend booking accommodation at the same place.

Generally though, you are limited to the menu options they present.That situation is further complicated if you have to accommodate a variety of dietary requirements and preferences. Those menu options, especially for larger groups, tend to be somewhat unimaginative and there is certainly no possibility of you creating a menu tailored to exactly what you want.

Outside catering firms, at least the best ones, are specialists and will have a blend of experience, planning and attention to detail to ensure a successful occasion every time, no matter where its held. If youre looking for an event with a highly personal touch, outside catering can provide a complete private food and drink service.

They can create bespoke menus to your exact specification and budget, using seasonal and local produce if you desire.Many outside catering firms employ Masterchefs with tremendous culinary experience who can devise inspiring food to accompany fine wines and convivial cocktails. Perhaps more importantly, theyll even take care of the washing up!

Obviously, if your venue is out of doors and you plan a relaxed summer garden party barbecue for few friends, pigging out with a hearty Hog Roast or hosting a lavish themed wedding or civil partnership reception for hundreds of guests in a marquee, then you don’t really have much option but to use outside catering. The same applies if your desired venue is indoors, but may not have any kitchen or food preparation facilities at all.That could be anything from a village hall, a romantic castle, a conference room or a boat.

True, at some venues like hotels you can access the catering services they provide, whether the event is within the building or hosted in their gardens or grounds.These services may also be supplied at an all-inclusive rate if you intend booking accommodation at the same place.

Usually, you are limited to the menu options they present.That situation is even more complicated if your guests have a variety of dietary requirements and preferences.Those menu options, especially for larger groups, tend to be somewhat basic and boring and there is certainly no possibility of you creating a menu tailored to exactly what you want.

Outside catering firms, at least the best ones, are specialists and will have a blend of experience, planning and attention to detail  to ensure a successful occasion every time, no matter where it’s held.  If you’re looking for an event with a highly personal touch, outside catering can provide a complete private food and drink service.

They can create bespoke menus to your exact specification and budget, using seasonal and local produce if you desire.Many outside catering firms employ Masterchefs with tremendous culinary experience who can create inspiring food to accompany fine wines and convivial cocktails.And of course, more importantly, they’ll even take care of the washing up!

Some venues like hotels will offer catering services as part of an all-inclusive package, especially if you book accommodation at the same time. Your choice tends to be limited to the menu options they dictate, and those options can be a bit unimaginative, especially for larger parties.   That’s certainly the case if your guests have a variety of dietary requirements and preferences.    Obviously, if your chosen venue is outdoors, then you don’t really have much option but to use outside catering.  Even if you plan an indoor event, the venue may not have any kitchen or food preparation facilities, so using outside catering services   is also essential.

So, having decided that outside catering is the route to choose, how do you go about selecting the firm that will ensure a successful occasion?

First you should look for previous experience across a variety of circumstances and venues.   Make sure the company has an events management team or specialist who will take your brief and work within your budget.The better professional companies will include chefs, kitchen assistants, back house support staff, table and linen, cutlery crockery and rubbish removal/recycling within the menu price.You ought not to have to “pay extra” for those items.Front of house food service teams and waiting staff are usually charged separately.

Look for experience in outside catering at a range of venues from barns and stately homes to boats and castles.  Even if none of those are as grandiose as the venue you have in mind, it will at least demonstrate the firm’s capability to physically cope with transport, set up, preparation and service no matter how extreme the situation.Do insist on references and testimonials and if they are unwilling to provide them, avoid them at all costs!

Make sure they share your enthusiasm (if the event is important to you, it should be important to them) and since the most important element is the food, make sure it’s fresh and up to the quality you’d expect!  Most outside catering companies can create bespoke menus to your exact specification, using seasonal and local produce if you desire.

The best ones employ Masterchefs with tremendous culinary experience who can devise inspiring food and drink magically transformed into a spectacular eating experience.So make sure it’s the headlined chef that creates and cooks your menu and get the lowdown on his or her experience.Get references from people who have actually sampled the fare.Ask all those questions and you should guarantee a catered event with a significant wow factor, no matter where you hold it.

• Cook the meat all the way through. Its a simple point to remember, but most food poisoning cases occur at bbq when the meat wasnt done properly. Looks can be decieving, cut the meat to make sure that its not pink inside, and if it is put it back on the grill and cook it for abit longer. Also remember to defrost your meat in the fridge 24 hours before the bbq, or make sure your microwave has the defrost feature.
• Never leave the grill on and unguarded. Leaving the grill unattended is stupid at best, as it can be knocked over or your drunk uncle may fall into it.
• Dont use too much lighter fluid. yup, the giant flame is something to look at, but fire is unpredictable. Plus youll never need as much lighter fluid as you think.
• Buy some vegetarian alternatives just in case. Its well known, Hitler was a vegetarian, and most of us will reach for the steak before we go for the salad, but are those vegetarian burgers arent really that abd. That way everyone can have something, plus lets face it, a burger just isnt a burger without some crisp lettuce. Allow the vegetables to compliment the meat, making it taste better and giving your plate abit of colour.
• Be prepared. How many people will you need to buy food for, who has special dietry requirements, whats the weather going to be like on the day- being prepared for these things ensures your bbq will run more smoothly. Theres no point in stocking up on alcohol if everyones’ gonna be driving down, or doing it when its raining.

Dont fancy doing it yourself and want some outside catering for your bbq, or just private catering for a special event?

• Cooking the food yourself. Now with an event you’ve got hundreds of things to organise, and if someone has been hired to take care of it- that’ll help. BUT, you gotta save the pennies, and your not liking the prices the outdoor catering firm has quoted. Another chore to be taken care of by you, but itll be cheaper for you to do it this way. This may work out for you, as you now have total control over what you want to serve to your guests. So you can customise and make that one special dish for the vegan.
• Get help from family and friends. Now that you’ve decided to take this one, you need to call in some favours from friends. Those favours your owed? Time to call them in, because you need all the people to help out that you can get. Its gonna be a case of all hands on deck for this one, and while ‘too many chefs spoil the broff’, just the right amount can work out just fine.
• Buy a cheaper brand of food when shopping for the party. If you dont mention it many of your guest wont even notice that you’ve swapped for a cheaper brand. During a recession we really shouldnt start being snobbish over eating a cheaper brand of food. This will save on some more pennies, allowing you maybe to buy more or put that money saved into something else.
• Use your house as the venue. Yes, its not as glamourous as what you had planned, but you can get away with it. The money you’ve saved on not booking a hall can be put back into the bank. For a bigger event you could even, as long as you permission, use a location out in the countryside, for a touch of class.