There is nothing better than sipping a nice glass of wine as you cook some juicy steaks on the BBQ after a hard week’s work. It is a great way to unwind and relax with the family. It is also a great format when hosting a larger party for friends and colleagues. If you are planning a BBQ with an extended guest list then make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to prepare.
BBQ Parties
Weather
Try and get a long term weather forecast. Although never totally reliable it will give some indication as to what the weather will be like. Invitations need tyo be sent at least a week in advance so you will have to take a chance at some point. The other option is to just fix a date and hope for the best.
Theme
For your BBQ why not consider a theme. There is always an excuse. It could be St Patrick’s Day, the 4th July or a mexican fiesta. If you are opting for a themed BBQ you will need to give your guests at least two weeks notice. They will need to organise costumes and fancy dress gear. No one theme is more appropriate than another and it is totally up to yourself.
Whatever theme you select will determine the type of decorations you use and the food you serve. For example if you are having a Mexican night the menu should include items such as chilli, refried beans and fajitas. If you are a little unsure what to serve why not ask in a local specialist shop or do a little research online.
The decorations you choose should also be appropriate for the choosen theme. There is no point in hosting a St Patrick’s Day BBQ unless you have loads of green bunting , flags and balloons. This is where the internet is great. Whatever the party theme there is sure to be suitable party supplies available from one of the many specialist retailers.
As well as the food and decorations the drinks you serve should also match the theme. How about some nice fruit cocktails for a Caribbean theme or ale for a knights and princess fancy dress theme.
Food
Plan to cater for a variety of tastes. As well as the tradional BBQ fare of steaks, sausages and budgers why not try some lamb kebabs and fish. Most people will opt for steak or burgers. When buying the food a good guideline is two portions of meat to one portion of fish. Don’t forget the side dishes such as salads and potatoes they are just as important as the meat itself.
The evening before the BBQ prepare any marinades and coat the meat leaving in the fridge overnight. If you are marinading fish it does not need to be left overnight.
Equipment
The day before the BBQ make sure you give the BBQ a good clean. This should be done each time you use a BBQ but somethimes we just forget to do it. The last thing you want your guests to see is a dirty BBQ.
To save your household crockery from possible breakages it is a good idea to hire plastic / wooden cutlery and disposable plates. The range of catering equipment available online is fantastic and is reasonably priced.
Lighting for a BBQ is essential especially if you are starting at around 7-8pm. As with catering supplies torches can be purchased online. These look great and also have the added advantage of keeping insects away.
Games
Because BBQ are mainly outdoor events having a selection of outdoor party games organised will certainly add life to the party, particularly if it is a fancy dress. In future posts I will go into more detail about how to organise outdoor games.
As you can see there is a lot to think about when organising a BBQ. The more effort you put into the preparations the more likely both the guests and you will have a good time.