A Helpful Guide to Hosting the Perfect BBQ
Spring weather is knocking on your door, and there isn’t a better time to break out the barbeque to welcome the warm weather back. After a long and cold winter, getting back into the habit of BBQ season can have you feeling a little rusty.
And while nobody needs a reason to host a BBQ, turning it into an event for the start of the season offers the perfect opportunity to invite all your friends around, break out the disposable vapes for those that indulge, and effortlessly slip back into hosting duties.
Dust Down Your BBQ
If your barbeque has been sitting in the shed for the past year, it is time to get it out for a clean. Ideally, you restore it well ahead of when you need it, but if time got away from you, there are a few simple tricks to get it back up to standard.
The easiest way is to heat it up to remove any stuck-on food still hanging around. This technique will remove any stubborn remains and allow you to start fresh. Alternatively, if your machine is past its prime, use this opportunity to purchase something new.
Creating the Guestlist
As the weather gets warmer, more events start to pop up, filling up a schedule reasonably quickly. This can make it challenging to find a weekend that suits everyone you hope to include. Send out e-vites in advance to guarantee your guest list and open up a line of communication that is easy to upkeep.
When deciding on numbers, use the space available to dictate how many guests you choose to invite. Feeling cramped or needing more places to sit and eat can quickly ruin the day’s mood. If you plan to use additional garden furniture, take this into consideration when assessing your space allowance.
Preparation is Key
Preparing in advance is the easiest way to ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed on the day. There are many ways to get ahead of the schedule when it comes to a BBQ that will leave you feeling relaxed and your food tasting delicious.
The perfect marinade can take your entire BBQ experience to the next level. Your meat should sit in the marinade for at least a day for maximum effect, so preparation is key. You can prep vegetables, salads, and desserts in advance too.
On the morning of, set up the outdoor area you will be using with seating, tables, and trash bins to keep the place clean. And finally, set out the tools you will need in advance to avoid rushing around in a last-minute panic looking for them.
Include Variety
While meat is the traditional ingredient for any good BBQ, you don’t have to feel restricted to cooking it as your only protein. Instead, turn to food like chicken and fish to expand your options and try something new.
New research shows that salmon, prawns, and tuna steaks are among some of the most popular BBQ dishes and including these tasty options will allow you to appeal to a broader audience. Furthermore, pizza is becoming an increasingly popular choice for the modern barbeque and can be an easy finger-food starter with drinks.
Cater to Guests
To ensure all your guests have something tasty to eat, don’t forget the vegetable alternatives that can be easily included in your menu. Grilled corn on the cob, halloumi and pepper skewers, and cauliflower steaks sprinkled with turmeric will keep your vegetarian friends smiling and act as delicious side dishes to the meat main.
Think Drinks
You may be after the perfect menu, but no barbeque is complete without refreshing drinks. Of course, you can stick with the classic beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, but if you want to make an impression on arrival, find an easy statement cocktail to serve your guests.
As the day progresses, keeping things cool should be your top priority, and to avoid having to march back and forth all day, set up a drinks station in a shaded area of the garden. Fill metal buckets or cool boxes with plenty of ice to keep drinks chilled, including beers, wines, and spritzers. For the non-drinkers, a selection of soft drinks, summer drink mixers, and water will go down a treat.
The Perfect Setting
The way you set up your hosting area is primarily influenced by the space available to you. It is best to have a central table for guests to sit and eat, with additional seating in the garden for those wanting somewhere more secluded, with one or two side tables for drinks and food.
String some bunting along the fence, wall, or across the front of the tables for simple decorations. Choose a color theme and match your serving dishes and plates with cups and cutlery to tie your vision together.
As a finishing touch, include a small floral centerpiece to each table as a nod to the incoming season, with small tea lights dotted around for when the sun sets.
