BBQs are a brilliant way to host friends. If you’re new to grilling, however, you might not really know where to start with hosting the ultimate BBQ. Follow these simple tips to step up your BBQ game, and become the ultimate BBQ host. You’ll be impressing your friends with great food from the grill in no time.
Don’t go overboard with the menu
It’s tempting to try to do too much and serve up everything you can imagine. Keep your menu more simple, and choose a few good quality meats. Choose one or two meat products such as burgers, sausages, steaks or chicken for kebabs, and focus on those. You could add a fish to add a bit more variety, and a vegetarian option, like halloumi, if you have guests who don’t eat meat. Add some side salads, and some bread rolls.
Make sure you have enough seating
Don’t worry too much about having enough room around the table for everyone to sit, as long as all guests can sit down. Get the beach chairs out of the shed, buy some floor cushions or look for bales of hay for sale to add extra seats, or ask friends to bring some spare chairs with them if you’re really stuck. You could even put out some picnic blankets for the kids to sit on and save the chairs that you do have for older guests.
Set up a condiment station
Everybody likes different options to finish off their burgers or hot dogs, so set up a condiment station for people to add their finishing touches themselves. You could include toppings like fried onions, pickles or salad leaves, as well as a range of condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, relish and mustard. Your guests can serve themselves and construct the burger they want.
Stock the bar
Serve a range of beers and soft drinks. Fill up a cooler with ice and push the cans or bottles into the ice, so your guests can have a cold drink. Iced tea and lemonade are good non-alcoholic options, and can be made before the party in large pitchers to save you time when your guests are there and you’re on host duty. Stock your freezer with lots of ice, and you’re good to go.
Play Garden Games
Garden games can make your BBQ lots of fun. Put out a few games like horseshoes or lawn croquet. Garden games such as giant Jenga could be a worthwhile investment for entertainment if you like to host friends in the garden on a regular basis. Games will keep any kids at the BBQ entertained for ages, even if it’s as simple as some sidewalk chalk and free rein to draw on your patio.
Keep Insects At Bay
Keep the food inside until the last moment and then cover anything that is not currently being eaten to avoid attracting too many insects. Light some citronella candles for a cosy atmosphere and to keep mosquitoes and other bugs at bay. Pack away any leftover food, and make sure you deal with any trash promptly to avoid attracting more bugs.
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