Barbecues: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, I really enjoy them. There's something special about cooking outdoors, especially when the weather is warm. We usually get a few friends together in the garden, put some music on, and just chat while the food is sizzling. It's much more relaxed than a formal sit-down dinner.

Not as often as I'd like, to be honest. It's mostly a summertime thing where I live, so maybe three or four times a year. Last month, my neighbour hosted a big cookout because it was remarkably sunny, but during the colder months we rarely bother.

Most people tend to do them in their back gardens or out on balconies if they live in a flat. Public parks are also quite popular, especially on bank holiday weekends, though you have to make sure you use designated areas so you don't damage the grass.

I did, yes, particularly during the school holidays. My dad was obsessed with his charcoal grill and would spend hours trying to get the coals glowing properly. We used to toast marshmallows over the embers at the end of the evening, which was always the highlight for me.

I'm a big fan of marinated chicken skewers and grilled vegetables like courgettes and peppers. That smoky flavour you get from grilling is hard to replicate in a normal kitchen oven, so I try to make the most of it whenever we fire up the grill.