October is here and that can only mean one thing for Choice Pool & Spa… we’re going to the NC State Fair!!! We are excited to announce that Choice is at the NC State Fair this year from October 11th – October 21st!

Come check out Choice Pool & Spa’s largest display of hot tubs, swim spas, outdoor kitchens, grills, fire pits and outdoor furniture. Sample great food grilled to perfection on grills like The Big Green Egg, Bull, Green Mountain Grills, Blaze Grills and Heston. View a huge selection of custom outdoor kitchens from Bull with different shapes, colors, sizes and features. Pick the one that is right for you! Take a look at Four Winds and Coast Spas hot tubs and swim spa models and ask questions about all their amazing options. Feel how comfortable our outdoor furniture from Ashley is and visualize how it can fit in your backyard. Meet our design consultants and have all of your questions answered.Best of all, everything is on sale for this huge event! Up to 40% off retail prices!

Visit us under the BIG tent south of the Dorton Arena close to Hillsborough St. This is our last huge event of the year and your last chance to save BIG! Nothing Could Be Finer than the NC State Fair and nothing could be better than making your backyard a Choice backyard!

Increase Your Home Value with an Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor dining areas of some kind are fairly common, considering most homeowners with any type of backyard patio usually have a table and chairs to enjoy their morning coffee or an outdoor family dinner. But what about an outdoor kitchen? This particular home addition project is not necessarily an inexpensive one but can add tremendous value to your home, while also providing a space to make lasting memories. As the housing market continues to explode in and around Raleigh, now is a great time to start thinking about investing in your home. Below are a few reasons why outdoor kitchens make a great investment, one in which you will enjoy for years to come.

Increases Resale Value

Outdoor kitchens are becoming a popular and trending addition to outdoor spaces that can help increase your home’s value. If your home is in a price range where potential buyers expect luxury perks, such as swimming pools, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, an outdoor kitchen is a particularly good way to set your home apart from other homes. When compared to other outdoor features, such as building an additional garage or fire pit, outdoor kitchens have a high rate of return on your investment because of their functionality in comparison to other outdoor features.

Today's outdoor kitchens are fully customizable and much more elaborate than ever before. It is not unusual to see gourmet appliances, high quality grills, wood-fire pizza ovens, smokers and tile or granite countertops. Plumbing and electrical lines allow for conveniences such as sinks, lighting, ceiling fans and plenty of outlets for appliances.

If you do not have a large backyard, be sure to consider the size of your outdoor kitchen. Most prospective home buyers appreciate having some open outdoor space that is not used up by permanent structures. No matter the scale of your outdoor kitchen, you can be certain that it will impress potential buyers and ensure they remember your home as they look at different properties.

Makes Cooking Even More Enjoyable

Not only do outdoor kitchens allow the flexibility of not always cooking indoors, they also allow you to be more adventurous in what you prepare. Grills, smokers and outdoor ovens perfect for fun recipes and unique techniques that are not as conducive to indoor cooking. When looking at what grill to incorporate in your outdoor kitchen, we recommend buying the best grill you can get within your budget. Try to get an option that has at least one impressive feature, such as the ability to use either gas or charcoal or a rotisserie, which will help to ensure it appeals to a larger variety of potential buyers. To make your outdoor kitchen even more enjoyable, you can go beyond the basics and add additional features such as a sound system, refrigerator or even a garbage disposal.

One of the best advantages is that an outdoor kitchen keeps cooking grease, odors, smoke, and heat outside, while also adding a level of convenience. Forget about having to haul your grilling tools, utensils and dishes back and forth to the house. With an outdoor sink and storage space it’s all conveniently at your disposal. Also, keeping the heat out of your indoor kitchen is a huge plus during the warm summer months we experience here in Raleigh.

When your outdoor lounge furniture or patio dining set is combined with an outdoor kitchen, food preparation becomes a group activity and nobody is stuck inside cooking while everyone else is visiting outdoors. Whether you like to host intimate dinners or lively parties, an outdoor kitchen makes it much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Extends Living and Entertaining Spaces

It seems like we are always trying to make more room for gathering with friends and family. Spilling over into the outdoors is the easiest way to host large groups. An outdoor kitchen extends your living spaceso you have ample room for gathering your friends and family, making wonderful memories in the heart of your backyard. Perfect for birthdays, romantic dinners, family get-togethers and holidays.

Exterior spaces for dining, cooking or entertaining are generally more affordable than adding interior space to your home. When adding an outdoor kitchen, be sure that it complements the existing exterior of your home. If you live in a Mediterranean villa style home, a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances is probably not the way to go. If you live in a more contemporary home, a rustic kitchen will look out of place.

Use similar materials and colors to those on existing structures to make sure your outdoor kitchen truly looks like an extension of your home. Think of it as bringing the interior of your home to the outdoors. This does not mean that you need to use the same countertops or tile as your indoor kitchen, but it does mean that you need to make sure your colors and textures harmonize with the interior of your home. This will help potential buyers see this outdoor living area as additional square footage.

Whether or not you plan to sell your home now or in the future, adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard will provide you and your family with the perfect place to prepare family meals, entertain guests and enjoy spending more time outdoors. Call us to schedule an appointment OR visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587 to begin designing your outdoor kitchen today!

As Memorial Day weekend fast approaches, we can’t help but get excited about grilling out! With outdoor kitchens being such a large part of our business, we always love spending time by the grill and sharing recipes! Here are our top 5 grill recipes for this upcoming holiday weekend!

Grilled Salmon Skewers with Garlic and Dijon

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch squares

2 large lemons thinly sliced

16 (10-inch) bamboo skewers

Ingredients for Marinade:

2 Tbsp parsley, freshly chopped

2 large or 3 small garlic cloves, pressed

1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard (we used grey poupon)

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

2 Tbsp light olive oil (not extra virgin, pick something with a higher smoke point)

2 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice from 1/2 large lemon or 1 small lemon

Directions:

Prep: Soak bamboo skewers at least 1 hour to keep them from catching fire. Preheat Grill to medium heat (about 375˚F).

1. In a medium bowl, stir together all of the marinade ingredients: 2 Tbsp chopped parsley, 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1/2 Tbsp dijon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp lemon juice.

2. Skewer the salmon and lemon slices folded in half intermittently onto two skewers at a time (The double skewer aids in turning the salmon kebobs on the grill). Brush both sides of skewers with marinade.

3. Oil the grates then carefully place salmon skewers onto the hot BBQ. Grill kebobs for 3-4 minutes per side or until salmon is cooked through and opaque.

Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle

The perfect and delicious summertime dessert!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp cinnamon

1 pineapple

Directions:

1. Grill pineapple slices over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes

2. While the pineapple is grilling, mix together the honey (soften in the microwave for about 30 seconds) and the cinnamon.

3. Drizzle the grilled pineapple with the honey and serve.

Taco Lime Grilled Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 4

A quick and easy taco lime grilled chicken that's just packed with flavor!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

1/4 cup lime juice (2 limes)

1 pound boneless & skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

1. Mix the taco seasoning and lime juice, cover the chicken in the mixture and marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.

2. Grill over medium to high heat until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side, let sit for 5 minutes and slice before enjoying!

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes Total Time: 25 Minutes Servings: 4

Easy, make-ahead foil packets packed with shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes. It’s a full meal with zero clean-up!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 (12.8 ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced

2 ears corn, each cut in half making 4 pieces

1 pound baby red potatoes, halved

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 teaspoons cajun seasoning

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

Preheat a gas or charcoal grill over high heat.

1. Cut four sheets of foil, about 12-inches long. Divide shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes into 4 equal portions and add to the center of each foil in the a single layer.

2. Fold up all 4 sides of each foil packet. Add olive oil, cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste. Gently toss to combine. Fold the sides of the foil over the shrimp, covering completely and sealing the packets closed.

3. Place foil packets on the grill and cook until just cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately, garnish with parsley, if desired.

Grilled Potato Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

The two-step process of cooking the potatoes transforms this summer salad from same-old to sublime!

Ingredients:

3 lb. baby Yukon gold potatoes (about the size of a walnut halved)

Kosher salt

black pepper

6 tbsp. olive oil, divided

6 slices center-cut bacon cut into 1/2 in. pieces

2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar

2 tsp. firmly packed brown sugar

8 scallions

2 tbsp. fresh marjoram, plus more for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high. Line a plate with paper towels.

2. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold salted water by 2 inches. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until easily pierced with a knife, 14 to 16 minutes. Drain and let cool. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of oil.

3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to prepared plate with a slotted spoon.

4. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings from skillet. Off the heat, add garlic, vinegar, and brown sugar to the drippings in the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Whisk in remaining 4 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl.

5. Grill potatoes cut-side down until lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes. Grill scallions, turning occasionally, until charred, 4 to 6 minutes. Chop scallions into 1-inch pieces.

6. Add potatoes, scallions, and marjoram to bowl with dressing, and toss to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with marjoram. Serve immediately.

We hope you enjoy grilling out and trying these recipes! Also, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. To all who have served this great country – THANK YOU!

Call us today to schedule an appointment OR visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587 to begin designing your new outdoor kitchen today!