If you are thinking about inviting people over for a party and barbeque, be smart and don't overwork. Planning is key to great success so that you can have the time to enjoy good food in great company, instead of being stuck in the kitchen. Here are our top tips for making your barbeque party a great success.
1. Plan ahead and make it memorable
No matter what barbeque you are having it's important to plan. If you are well prepared you will have a lot more time with your guests and at the same time avoid any panic situation. Maybe you want to make your barbeque something special by having a theme? Then party hats or funny decorations are in order. Just take some minutes and think it through will help you a lot.
Checklist for planning your BBQ:
Do you want a theme?
What food are you planning on serving?
When are you going to go shopping? The day before or the same day?
What can be prepped the day before or earlier on the same day?
When do you want the guest to arrive?
2. Make sure you have everything you need
It's not only the food and drinks you need so make sure you have everything in order. Do you have the space for everyone? Do you have chairs, tables, glasses and cutlery for everyone or do you need someone to bring any of it? Dubbelcheck if you have enough charcoal and all the materials you need. Don't forget to check that you have enough serving bowls for your food as well as plates. If you are planning on having a theme or decorating your space, check so that you have everything you need or add it to the shopping list.
3. Prepp in advance
By prepping ahead you save a lot of time and you will surely have a better time at your party if you can spend some time with your guests instead of being stuck making all the food then and there. Leaving your meat in a marinade overnight makes the food a lot tastier as well as most of the dipping sauces.
Salads that are not too wet can be prepared the day before as well as a lot of the side dishes. You can also prepare ahead the same day as the party, and not only the day before. Making skewers is an excellent way to have everything ready before your guests show up so you can enjoy more time with them instead of in the kitchen.
4. Serve versatile food
A barbeque is for many of us a celebration and a way to get together and enjoy each other's company as well as the food, so picking a menu all can enjoy is a big and important part. Think about what type of BBQ you are planning on having. Are you all meat-eaters, vegetarians or mixed? Maybe you want to mix it up with different types of food? A versatile menu is a good way to go so that all can find something they like.
Pick a main dish, meats, fish, vegetarian, mixed or any other option. A good menu is a key to creating a great barbeque so think it through. A good example of a menu is to serve as a main dish that goes on the barbeque, some condiments such as grilled vegetables or toasted bread: a filling side dish you can prepare ahead and a salad. But don't forget about the drinks and some snacks to serve while your guests are waiting.
Example of a versatile menu
Main: Skewers and burgers
Side dishes that go on the barbeque: Grilled Halloumi and corn
Filling side dishes you can prep ahead: Creamy potato salad and bread
Sauces: Tzatziki and dipping sauces
Fresh salads: Greek salad and watermelon salad
Snacks: Chips/crisps or peanuts
Drink options: Wine, Beer and Refreshing soft drinks
5. Invite people over earlier
Invite people over earlier and let everyone mingle before the cooking begins. Light the barbeque and serve a drink to welcome all to the party. It is also good if you are inviting children to the party, and a good way to double-check that you have everything you need like chairs and space for all.
6. Serve snacks
Why not serve snacks that your guests can help themselves to when you are barbequing. Then you don't have to worry if the cooking takes longer than you planned and people and children are hungry before your dishes are ready to be served. Dipping sauces, chips or crisps, as well as bread, olives or peanuts, are easy snacks that do not require a lot of effort.
7. Know the temperature of your BBQ
Different types of food should be cooked at different temperatures, that's why it is important to know the temperature of your barbeque. If you wish to serve charred vegetables, great, put them on the barbeque early when it's extra hot. If you have bigger slices of pork, make sure you have a lower temperature so that the meat will be cooked the whole way through. Having control over your temperature applies to all food types and dishes.
You can easily check the temperature by using a cocking thermometer if you don't have a built-in thermometer in your barbeque. You can also make a cooking test by adding a small piece of meat or bread to see how quickly it cooks before you add the rest to the barbeque.
8. Your drink options matter
Make sure that you serve drink options so that everybody has something they like and can enjoy. Encourage people to help themself to beverages and drinks when you are cooking as well. This will make everything a lot easier for you. There are a lot of options for smart cocktails and punches you can make in bigger volumes ahead like a cooling sangria or Mojito if you want a Spanish or Mexican theme.
It is easy to forget that your drink option is important. We all like different things, red wine, white wine, beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Why not serve a non-alcoholic cucumber lemonade or a smoothie for your barbeque this summer. A welcome drink is a good idea to get all to greet, greet your guests and get everyone mingling.
9. Keep the food warm
Nobody likes to eat their barbeque dishes cold. So take a moment to figure out how you can keep your dishes hot for your guests. Are you eating at once as soon as the food comes from the barbeque or are you planning on cooking food for many and serving it all at once? If you are planning on sitting down together and eating for the feast it is a good idea to have a plan for how you keep the food warm while you are waiting for the rest of the food to be cooked.
By placing the food in a heat box or aluminium foil you have a greater chance of serving your food hot. Some types of food are more suitable for reheating on the barbeque after everything is done while other types should be eaten directly and therefore be cooked at the end. This is a good thing to keep in mind so that you don't serve overcooked or cold food.
10. Easy cleaning
After your guests leave you don't want to be stuck with a mountain of dishes, so take a moment to figure out what you can do to make your cleaning easier. By prepping ahead you can also do a lot of the dishing before the guest arrives and only have to clean up what you are using that day.
By serving hand-held foods like burgers in buns or skewers, that you don't have to use cutlery you can save a lot of cleaning up. Plates and cups for one-time use make your cleaning easier, but remember to be environmentally friendly if possible and recycle serving bowls as well as bottles and cans.
Enjoy your party
It is easy to take on a too big a challenge and by that end up spending all your time cooking instead of with your guests. By planning ahead and thinking the party through, you can save a lot of time and effort, that you better can spend with your guests. Remember to serve food and drinks all can enjoy and to make time for you to enjoy the party as well as your guests. With good food in great company, you will surely have success. And most important of all, set aside time to just enjoy the party.
