7 Tips for Planning a Successful Summer Barbecue

by SharkClean
on 26 May 2017

 

Spring has now well and truly arrived, and your thoughts may now be turning to summer. Many of us will head straight to the garden to soak up the sunshine, and among the garden-based festivities we’ll enjoy will be the classic garden barbecue.

Although some of the most exciting barbecues are those that are organised on the day, it often pays to plan them well in advance. A fully planned barbecue can be a more lavish affair — capable of catering for more people.

It’s never too early to start planning your summer barbecues, so use these seven planning tips carefully.

1. Brush up on grill skills

If you’re inviting every man and his dog to your garden shindig, you should know your way around a barbecue grill. Roll yours out of storage, and fire it up. Switch it off once it has reached optimum temperature, and allow it to cool until it’s warm. At this temperature, hacking away at old bits of food and grease will be a lot easier.

Top top: Use a handheld steam cleaner to remove food, grease and bacteria at the same time.

Make sure you practice cooking, turning and serving meat from your grill a few times before the big day arrives.

2. Create a guest list

The last thing you want to do when planning a barbecue is to leave important people in your life off your guest list. Draw up a list of invitees, and run it by your nearest and dearest to make sure you haven’t forgotten anyone. You can then start asking your guests about their allergies and food requirements well in advance.

3. Plan your offering

Are you providing the meat or are you asking people to bring their own? You should communicate this to your guests as soon as possible. As a good host, you should provide salads, side dishes, bread and soft drinks. Make a list of everything you need a few days before the event, but after you know everyone’s dietary requirements. It might be nice to offer a few sweet treats to your guests, so add cold desserts such as mini cheesecakes and profiteroles to your list.

4. Choose a theme

Anyone can set up a barbecue grill in a yard or garden and cook meat. If you really want to set your event apart from the competition, you need to think of ways to make it special. One way you can do this is to choose a theme. For instance, you might like to try a traditional British garden party, complete with Pimms, strawberries and cream and scones. Or how about Hollywood fancy dress? Choose a theme, and select appropriate decorations, drinks and music accordingly.

5. Plan some entertainment

At the very least, you should have some music prepared for your barbecue — as well as a way of playing it in your garden. To really get things going on the day, you should organise some entertainment. While you’re free to organise a mini Glastonbury if you wish, planning a few garden games is probably going to be a lot easier. Most supermarkets sell garden tennis, cricket, swingball and badminton sets, which are a cheap way of having a lot of garden-based fun.

6. Organise activities for children

Young children can get bored very easily at adult-orientated events, and that often leads to misbehaviour and disruption. To keep young minds occupied, organise a small area for children to enjoy arts and crafts, water games or anything that is fun without being too disruptive. It may also be a good idea to get a few family movies ready indoors for late afternoon, as tired children can become very cranky very quickly.

7. Set up the night before

Make all your sauces, marinades, salads, accompaniments and drinks the night before your barbecue. Weather-permitting, you can also set up your garden with furniture and decorations the night before the big day. Compile a list of preparations in advance, and work through it systematically. If you’ve set up your event the night before, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy yourself on the day itself.

Garden barbecues are great for bringing friends and family together in a friendly setting, so start planning yours now.