Hosting A BBQ: The Basics
Summer is upon us and many of us are finding new things to do in our spare time now that better weather and more enjoyable temperatures have arrived.
Chances are, you’re going to find yourself spending a whole lot more time outdoors and it’s also highly likely that you’d like to entertain family and friends in your back yard or other outdoor space. This is where a BBQ can prove to be perfect. BBQs are popular during the summer for good reason.
You get to spend time with loved ones and share delicious food without necessarily having everyone inside your home. It’s simple. It’s straightforward. It’s enjoyable.
But where should you start when it comes to planning a BBQ? Here are some tips that will help.
1 – Check The Weather Forecast
Don’t get ahead of yourself. Sure, the weather today may be great, but you need to check the forecast for the day you’re planning your BBQ. Nobody wants to attend a BBQ in the rain, or when it’s cold, so ensure you’re choosing a way that has particularly good chances of warmth and sun.
2 – Check Guests’ Dietary Requirements
If you already have a good idea of who you’re going to invite, it’s a good idea to check your guests’ dietary requirements. You need to ensure that you come up with options to suit everyone’s needs. This may include gluten free options, vegetarian options, vegan options, halal options, kosher options or options that are free of nuts. The good news is that nowadays it’s easier than ever to get your hands on alternatives to meet all needs. Just remember that you may need to cook certain foods on separate BBQs to avoid cross contamination.
3 – The Basics
It’s good to make sure that you have all of the BBQ basics in stock. Common options tend to include burgers on burger buns (both beef and chicken), hot dogs with hot dog buns, skewers (meat or vegetable) and then other options such as fish, pulled pork and more!
Condiments
4 – Condiments
People love dips! Whether that’s some ketchup for their burger, relish for their hot dog or a good jalapeno popper dip recipe. Make sure that you have a wide variety available to suit all tastes and preferences.
5 – Salads
Salads are refreshing and can offer retreat from a plate heavily laden with meat and buns. Often, it’s a good idea to create a large salad bowl, with freshly tossed salad and veg. You can then offer a range of dressings on the side, to give people choice over how their salad will ultimately taste.
6 – Beverages
Don’t forget that everyone will want something to drink! Offer an array of beverages to suit all tastes. Popular options tend to include cold water, fizzy soft drinks, juices, beers, wine and even spirits. You might want to go all out and create some sort of punch or cocktail for the event.
Hosting a BBQ is a large feat, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Hopefully, some of the information outlined above will help get yours started out in the right direction!