5 Tips to Master Your Backyard BBQ this Summer
The summer months are our favourite time of year to take meals and celebrations outside to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine – and what better way to welcome in the season than with a BBQ bash for your closest colleagues, friends or family?
As event caterers, we know a thing or two about grilled meats, spice rubs, marinades, and entertaining a backyard full of people. Read on for our 5 best tips to ensure your summer BBQ bash is a sizzling one to remember!
1. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
As tempting as it is to toss all your smoky favourites on the grill, the secret to a delicious and stress-free BBQ, as cliché as it sounds, is to keep it simple. Preparing food for a lengthy guest list is challenging enough! Focus your efforts on a few recipes that you know well to save time and worry. We recommend 2-3 protein-focused items such as burgers, steaks, chicken wings, and a few classic accompaniments. Think about adding traditional corn on the cob and vegetable skewers to the grill, or coleslaw on the side, to balance out the bold flavours. Dressing up a few snack options for guests to nibble on, such as a charcuterie board, fruit plate, or chips and dip, is always a safe bet!
2. MAKE A PLAN.
After you’ve finalized your menu, it’s time to start planning the execution. Bookmark your favourite recipes, start checking off items on your shopping list, give your grill a good scraping, and sort out the cooking times required. We recommend preparing all your smoky marinades and dry spice rubs the night before. Simply coat your protein with your marinade or rub of choice, store it in the fridge the day before, and allow it to come to room temperature before cooking. For salads, skewers, and snack plates, we recommend preparing these a few hours ahead of your event to ensure all ingredients stay fresh and colourful once guests arrive.
Once it’s time to fire up the grill, start with the smaller, faster-cooking proteins on your menu, such as chicken wings, seafood, and burgers before throwing on the larger cuts of meat, like steaks and ribs. As for your vegetables, let them grill on the side to your desired doneness.
3. SET UP YOUR SEATING.
Whether you have dedicated outdoor furniture, casual lawn chairs, blanketed picnic areas, or a mix of everything, set up your backyard seating areas in advance while ensuring you have enough seating for all. If not, don’t be afraid to ask guests to bring extra chairs. Include lots of surfaces for your guests to place down cups or plates in between sips and bites, and consider setting up umbrellas for extra shade.
4. PREPARE A ‘SNACKS & DRINKS’ AREA.
We recommend setting up a snack and drink station away from your cooking area to ensure you have plenty of space to grill while your guests enjoy some pre-BBQ refreshments. Filling a large metal tub or bowl with ice is always a foolproof way to keep canned drinks cool, while pitchers are fun for homemade cocktails or refreshers.
5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.
A backyard bash is a lot to take on for one person, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether it’s asking a guest to bring extra snacks or seating, or hiring a professional to drop off a few canapé platters, delegate your tasks where needed to leave yourself time to enjoy the party for yourself! After all, as the host, your guests came to see you!
As professional caterers, Savoury City offers a variety of options for gatherings of any size, from simple canapés to hot and ready BBQ packages. Reach out to our team to start planning your next event.