Find out exactly what it takes to host the perfect summer BBQ filled with great people, no stress and, of course, amazing food.
One of the very best summer activities is a classic BBQ party. With the warm weather, plenty of friends and delicious food, it’s the perfect get-together for the season. And while most of the summer is behind us now, there’s still plenty of time to fire up the grill and have some fun. Check out some simple things your can do to ensure your BBQ party is a big hit.
Check the grill.
The most important attendee at any BBQ is always the grill itself. The entire success of the affair rests on that barbecue. Have you ever been to a BBQ party where the grill wasn’t working? A total disaster. Be sure to check that everything is in order before the big day. Clean the grill, make sure the line and clear and have plenty of propane or charcoal. Take it for a test grill for good measure. There’s no sense in leaving something so important to chance.
Get food restrictions in advance.
As host, you want to be able to accommodate everyone at the party. That means finding out if there are any food restrictions. Are there any vegetarians in the group? Anyone who has certain allergies? Try to find this out in advance so you can plan accordingly and make sure that everyone is taken care of at the feast.
Plan ahead.
Even though you’re the host of the party, you still want to be able to hangout and spend time with everyone. There’s no reason why you can’t either – it just means doing a little planning ahead of time. Get all of your shopping out of the way the day before. Get a head start on the food prep so you’re not stuck in the kitchen when everyone arrives. Small measures like this will allow you to enjoy yourself as well.
Do a pot luck.
If, as host, you want to take on the main food duties that’s fine, but have others help out with the smaller items. Snack, drinks, ice, salads and other sides are the kinds of things you can recruit other invitees to take care of. What’s better than a bunch of friends building a feast together?
Make a playlist.
Sure, good food and company is great, but some music to accompany it all is even better. There’s a trick to building a perfect music playlist for a BBQ. It has to fit the relaxing yet upbeat mood of the event. Use programs like Spotify and iTunes to put it together and set up some outdoor speakers to set the right rhythm for your party.
Don’t forget the games.
Your guests need some entertainment while the food is getting made. You’ll also want some fun things for when the meal is done and you’re still hanging out. Organize a few lawn games to keep everyone entertained. Doesn’t need to be anything too extravagant but it can make the whole event a lot more fun.
Get some help.
Hosting a BBQ actually takes a good deal of work. The good news is that you don’t have to take on everything yourself. Get some help with the many tasks for the event. Break up your to-do list and separate it among some of your helpful friends and family. Have someone help with the cleaning. Have another pick up the propane. Get someone to contribute to the playlist. Dividing and conquering is the best way to make sure everything gets done in time.
Don’t go too fancy.
It can be tempting to get a little adventurous in your cooking with a recipe that will wow the crowd. While that can be fun, it can also turn out to be a big mess. Unless you’re very confident in your skills as a chef, it’s probably best to keep things simple. Don’t underestimate how much people enjoy the classics.
Watch the grill.
You have a lot of responsibility as the grill master. You’re the one that is responsible for the biggest part of the meal and cooking on a barbecue is no walk in the park. The only thing worse than an overcooked burger is an undercooked burger. So while all the fun is happening , be sure you keep a close eye on the grill at all times. Set timers for everything and control the heat as necessary. It’s a lot of pressure but once you serve a delicious meal to everyone, you’ll be the hero of the party.
Have back-ups.
Even the most professional of grill masters can make mistakes. Plan for such accidents by preparing extra and having back-ups just in case. And it’s not just food that needs back-up. Propane, ice and other essentials should be stock-piled for the unexpected. Likewise, have a back-up plan if the weather doesn’t cooperate. A little planning ahead means no BBQ needs to be rained out.
Have a clean-up plan.
As with any party, the inevitable reality of the aftermath is not fun to think about. However, cleaning up as quickly and efficiently is not only smart but makes it easier on yourself. In the summer especially, you don’t want to be leaving foot and dirty dishes around for bug and animals to get at. Have a clean-up plan established ahead of time. Set up trash and recycling bins in the yard. Use recyclable plates for easy disposal. And certainly don’t be shy about asking for a little help.
Keep these tips in mind and your next BBQ party is sure to be a big success!