What better way is there to celebrate glorious summer days and picturesque evenings than by heading outdoors and enjoying a BBQ in your garden? With a little planning, as well as plenty of imagination, you can ensure that your summer BBQ is truly the event of the season for your family and friends!
1. Give Your BBQ a Sense of Occasion
Imagine inviting your loved ones to, say, a tropical beach-themed or carnival-themed summer BBQ party. That sounds far more exciting than a nondescript BBQ!
Inventing a fun theme for your summer BBQ that spans food, drink, decorations, music and perhaps even costumes will give the event a real sense of occasion.
2. Take Your Taste Buds on an Adventure
BBQ food and drink doesn’t have to mean boring burgers and cheap, fizzy drinks. Avoid the culinary beaten track and dust off your recipe books, in order to offer your guests a delicious meal with a unique twist. How about serving grilled seafood and vegetable skewers, washed down with homemade fruit juices?
3. Cater for All Needs
When planning your BBQ menu, make sure that you include options for any guests who have special dietary needs (e.g. vegetarians, vegans or people with food allergies). Take care when preparing and cooking the food in order to avoid cross-contamination.
For example, keep vegetables and meat separate. These steps will help to ensure that no-one feels left out and everyone has an enjoyable time.
4. Keep Everyone Entertained
Nothing makes a BBQ party less fun for guests than being forced to stand around making stilted conversation while they wait for their meal. Offer your guests some entertainment instead – at a safe distance from where the food is cooking – and the time will fly by.
Garden games; a giant chess or draughts set; basketball; quizzes; water pistols… The options, for adults and children, are endless!
5. Offer Areas of Light and Shade
If the sun is particularly bright, you will want to make sure that your guests can shield themselves from its strong rays and cool off in shaded areas. Set-up some large parasols, especially if your garden has few trees or other sources of shade.
If your BBQ party takes place after sunset, why not add charm to your garden with fairy lights, lanterns and other atmospheric, attractive lights? They will help to set the mood for your magical evening of great food and great company.
6. Take Care in the Sun
You want your food to be piping hot, but not your guests! Remember to stock-up on sun cream, ice packs and battery-operated, hand-held fans. Have spare sun hats and sunglasses on hand, in case any guests forget to bring their own.
Another outdoor party essential is insect repellent – don’t let bugs spoil your BBQ!
7. Cook Your Meal to Perfection
Keep probe thermometers to hand – one to check the temperature of the grill, one for white meat, one for red meat and one for fish. Avoid overloading the BBQ, so that each item has enough room to cook and uncooked meat juices don’t contaminate other foods. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case. Safety is paramount.
8. Serve Food in Style
Instead of bulk-buying plain paper plates and disposable knives and forks, why not serve your meal in style? Many supermarkets offer a variety of bright, stylish, re-usable plastic plates and cutlery that are perfect for chic outdoor dining. They will result in less waste too, as they can be washed and stored ready for your next BBQ.
9. Socialise in Comfort
As your guests chat, laugh and tuck into their tasty BBQ treats, they will undoubtedly appreciate the presence of benches and other garden furniture, as well as cushions and blankets. Don’t overlook your guests’ comfort at a summer BBQ party – being seated in style will make everyone more relaxed and happy.
10. Fulfil Your Garden’s Potential
Don’t let your summer BBQ plans be ruined by a cracked, uneven patio or lawn full of weeds and holes. Add character and value to your home by fulfilling the potential of your outdoor area.
Our wide selection of high-quality, cost-effective paving and related products will help you to create a stylish garden, courtyard or patio. Make your outdoor area a place you can be proud of and will want to show off!
To discover how Minster Paving can transform your garden, please call our expert team on 01865 300252 or contact us online.