How to Host The Perfect Barbeque.
Meeting up with friends and family for garden parties and barbeques is what summer is all about. But when you’re the one hosting there’s a lot to factor in, especially when you have a lot of guests arriving. Planning on hosting the perfect barbeque this summer? Here are a few things to consider!
Include Options For Different Dietary Needs
Got any vegans or vegetarians coming to your barbeque? Be sure to have plenty of delicious meat free options available. Is there anyone from a different religion who can’t eat certain things? Make sure they’re catered for too. When you’re inviting people to your barbeque, be sure to ask if they have any special dietary requirements so you can arrange for there to be things that they can eat. Keep in mind that some people (such as those with severe allergies) may need their food cooking completely separate from everything else, so it’s something to factor in.
Don’t forget about guests with different dietary needs
Keep The Drinks Flowing
Most people will bring a bottle to a social gathering, but it’s well worth making sure you’re stocked up too. You could set up a ‘beer barrow’ or even a ‘pimp your prosecco’ area for guests. Don’t forget drinks garnishes like slices of lemon and lime, glacier cherries and other fruits along with a tone of ice. Mixers for drinks are also essential, as well as juices and other soft drinks for children, non-drinkers and designated drivers.
Make Sure Your Cooking Area Is Up To Scratch
If you’re going to be cooking for a lot of people, a few dodgy disposables or a small barbeque is going to be no use whatsoever. Make sure you have the equipment to be able to cook enough food at once so that guests aren’t having to stand around waiting. You can get huge fancy barbeque ranges, or even hire a landscaping contractor and have an outdoor cooking area installed. Perfect if you have a large area in your garden that you don’t know what to do with, and plan on hosting lots of fantastic events for friends and family for years to come.
Ensure You Have Enough Seats
If you don’t have enough chairs for guests, you could consider setting up picnic style sitting areas on the lawn with some blankets or even create a teepee with lots of comfortable cushions. This way you’ll only need to go out and buy extra cushions and blankets, rather than loads of new garden furniture!
Don’t Forget Décor and Important Accessories
Plenty of glasses, plates and cutlery are essential for hosting a barbeque! If you’re having a lot of guests over, you could use disposable pieces so people can throw them straight in the bin when they’re done. You’ll need things like napkins and straws too. Finally, some pretty décor to get your garden looking fab is never a bad thing. You could string up some bunting and solar fairy lights, which will light up as the evening draws in. You can buy inexpensive decorative bits like paper pom poms, lanterns and table decorations to finish off the look.
