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Barbecue Party Checklist
Holding a barbecue party can be the highlight of your summer – but can also be a stressful and time-consuming event.
That’s why we’ve provided the ultimate barbecue party checklist, to make your planning stress-free...
Plan ahead: one week before the party
Check the weather forecast well in advance, time your barbecue accordingly, and then get your invites out.
Once you know how many are coming, you can plan the shopping list. Make sure to account for any vegetarians that are coming.
Check you have enough gas to cook with. The Gas Trac® indicator on Patio GasTM cylinders tells you when you are running low on gas so you can purchase a refill in good time.
Forecast checked...................
Invites sent...............................
Gas level checked..................
Shopping list written..............
One day before the party
A thorough shopping list should help make the supermarket trip a little less daunting.
Be sure to cater for a variety of tastes and have a good selection of meat. As well as trusty favourites like sausages and burgers, add some chicken wings, minted lamb chops or mixed kebabs to your trolley.
Add plenty of vegetable options - as well as providing for your vegetarian guests, vegetables are a healthy and tasty addition to any barbecue.
Think beyond food too. Unless you are happy to risk your crockery, invest in some plastic party-ware for such occasions. These are better for the environment than paper plates. And make sure you have enough cutlery.
Drinks wise, you will probably want to have a selection of beer and wine, but make sure there are also plenty of non-alcoholic options.
When the shopping is done, store all the food in the fridge, keeping raw meat away from other ingredients.
Shopped for food................................
Got plates and cutlery........................
Stored food safely...............................
Non-alcoholic drinks provided.........
The evening before the party
If you wish to add marinades or rubs to any of your ingredients, do so the evening before the party – then leave your marinating food in the fridge overnight to allow it to soak up the flavours.
Check you have all the tools you need for cooking and serving, and make sure the barbecue is clean.
It makes the day of the party so much more enjoyable if you do this beforehand. You may also want to think up some party games to play – or fetch them out of the garden shed.
Marinated food...................................
Checked tools and barbecue.........
Planned some games.....................
The big day
Use the early afternoon to prepare a couple of quick side dishes and a fresh salad.
Sort out seats for all your guests, and get the garden lights ready, so the party can carry on once the sun goes in. Seat yourself near to the kitchen so you don’t have to barge past guests on your way to the house.
Bring out the patio heater to make sure no one gets cold – if you don’t have one, check out the BBQ shop.
Pour a few assorted drinks to offer your guests as they arrive and put some music on to kick things off. To save too many trips to the fridge or freezer, fill up a bucket with ice and put bottles of drink in that.
Once your guests have arrived, fire up the barbecue. In ten minutes you will be ready to cook.
Now serve up your tasty feast with the pre-prepared side dishes on paper/plastic plates. Now it’s time to sit back and watch your friends marvel – at both the food and your previously-unheard-of preparation skills.
Prepared salads and sides....................
Arranged chairs, heater and lighting.....
Drinks and music ready...........................
