Entertaining: Host a Sizzling, Stylish Summer Barbecue
We Brits love a good summer party, so celebrate sunny days in style, with a barbecue that takes outdoor eating to new heights of taste
Summer is here and that means barbecue season is upon us! This year, why not give your friends an outdoor feast to remember? With a combination of wonderful food and thoughtful styling, you can outshine the trad sausage in a bun and put charred chicken wings served on a paper plate firmly in the shade. The key is to think of your barbecue as an outdoor dinner party, only messier! That means cooking good food, but also planning everything from the plates and place mats, to the pre-dinner nibbles. A little preparation, a few rays of sunshine, and you’re ready for al fresco fun, food and friends.
Serve fruit punch in jam jars
Eating outdoors allows you to throw out the dinner party rule book and have fun with what you serve and how you serve it. Why not treat your guests to some homemade fruit punch (exactly how ‘punchy’ you make it is up to you), and then serve it in jam jars or glass storage jars for an extra splash of fun. Jars are more robust and steady than wine glasses, too, which is a plus when drinking outdoors.
Eating outdoors allows you to throw out the dinner party rule book and have fun with what you serve and how you serve it. Why not treat your guests to some homemade fruit punch (exactly how ‘punchy’ you make it is up to you), and then serve it in jam jars or glass storage jars for an extra splash of fun. Jars are more robust and steady than wine glasses, too, which is a plus when drinking outdoors.
Consider the condiments
Grilled meats call for all kinds of sauces and mustards to accompany them and fun summer drinks and cocktails need syrups and mixers, too. So keep all those bottles and jars to hand by creating dedicated storage for them. A vintage suitcase like this looks pretty, and will keep everything neat and tidy, but a crate or deep tray would also work well.
Grilled meats call for all kinds of sauces and mustards to accompany them and fun summer drinks and cocktails need syrups and mixers, too. So keep all those bottles and jars to hand by creating dedicated storage for them. A vintage suitcase like this looks pretty, and will keep everything neat and tidy, but a crate or deep tray would also work well.
Provide lots of seating
If you are hosting an informal barbecue and don’t plan to seat everyone at a single large table, think about seating arrangements. Beg, steal and borrow from your neighbours if you have to, or bring chairs from indoors out, but make sure you have plenty of seats, so guests can sit and eat comfortably.
Browse brilliant alfresco seating areas
If you are hosting an informal barbecue and don’t plan to seat everyone at a single large table, think about seating arrangements. Beg, steal and borrow from your neighbours if you have to, or bring chairs from indoors out, but make sure you have plenty of seats, so guests can sit and eat comfortably.
Browse brilliant alfresco seating areas
Provide some shelter
Don’t let a summer shower dampen your spirits, simply supply some shelter so guests can continue to party outdoors. You may not have the space, or the budget, to build a permanent shelter like this one, but no matter. A few large umbrellas dotted around should do the trick, or put up a temporary gazebo, available from camping shops.
Don’t let a summer shower dampen your spirits, simply supply some shelter so guests can continue to party outdoors. You may not have the space, or the budget, to build a permanent shelter like this one, but no matter. A few large umbrellas dotted around should do the trick, or put up a temporary gazebo, available from camping shops.
Prepare cutlery sets
No one likes hunting for a fork at a party, so be the host who thinks of everything and prepare cutlery sets in advance. Simply wrap them in a handy napkin and store in a basket or jar. It’s a good idea to make up more sets than guests, in case anyone drops or loses theirs.
No one likes hunting for a fork at a party, so be the host who thinks of everything and prepare cutlery sets in advance. Simply wrap them in a handy napkin and store in a basket or jar. It’s a good idea to make up more sets than guests, in case anyone drops or loses theirs.
Create a fancy place setting
If your barbecue is ever so slightly formal, create some elegant table settings. Think beyond the disposable plates and serviettes we often associate with outdoor eating and style your al fresco table as you would if it were indoors. Cloth napkins in pretty rings look elegant and won’t disintegrate or blow away as easily as paper ones. Team with pretty glasses and patterned china for a stylish effect.
If your barbecue is ever so slightly formal, create some elegant table settings. Think beyond the disposable plates and serviettes we often associate with outdoor eating and style your al fresco table as you would if it were indoors. Cloth napkins in pretty rings look elegant and won’t disintegrate or blow away as easily as paper ones. Team with pretty glasses and patterned china for a stylish effect.
Light it up
We all like to be able to see what we are eating, so if your barbecue is going to stretch on into the evening, remember to provide some light. Hurricane lanterns, tealights in glass jars and chunky church candles dotted on the table and around the terrace will all help create a glow.
We all like to be able to see what we are eating, so if your barbecue is going to stretch on into the evening, remember to provide some light. Hurricane lanterns, tealights in glass jars and chunky church candles dotted on the table and around the terrace will all help create a glow.
Think long term
If you love al fresco entertaining and your garden does not already have a terrace, it’s probably worth getting some decking laid in your outdoor space. A lawn is lovely, but it is not a practical surface to entertain on — the combination of showers and heavy footfall can wreck the grass and your shoes.
Discover how to throw the perfect garden party
TELL US...
Have you hosted a BBQ this summer? Share your tips and experiences in the Comments below.
If you love al fresco entertaining and your garden does not already have a terrace, it’s probably worth getting some decking laid in your outdoor space. A lawn is lovely, but it is not a practical surface to entertain on — the combination of showers and heavy footfall can wreck the grass and your shoes.
Discover how to throw the perfect garden party
TELL US...
Have you hosted a BBQ this summer? Share your tips and experiences in the Comments below.
When you have a house party, people often end up mingling in the kitchen and then chatting in the living room later. The same is true of an al fresco party. So cater for this need for clear zones by creating an area where people can eat and, if you have space, a place where they can sit and chat as the party rolls on, too.