There's a lot more to
hosting a great
barbecue than just
throwing burgers on a
grill. Molly Maid asked
caterers and party
planners for their top
outdoor entertaining tips.
These pearls of wisdom
are sure to make your
next backyard gathering
fun for everyone - even
the host and hostess!
Prepare in Advance
You'll want to spend as
much time as possible
with your guests during
the party, so prepare as
much of the food as you
can in advance. Make
salads, side dishes and
desserts the day before.
Make your marinades and
sauces in advance and
prepare the meat before
your guests arrive. Gather
and clean all your barbecuing
utensils in advance
and keep them together
on a tray or table near the
grill. This keeps you near
the barbecue (and your
guests who will naturally
congregate there) and
helps you avoid unnecessary
trips to the kitchen.
Think Beyond Burgers
Hot dogs, burgers, steaks
and chicken are always
barbecue favorites. But
why not try something
new? Use a barbecue
basket to grill shrimp.
Shish kabobs are easy to
prepare in advance and
refrigerate. Or you can
barbecue fresh fish on a
sheet of foil. Of course,
some of your guests will
want more traditional
barbecue fare; be sure to
have burgers and hot
dogs on hand as well.
Plan for Bad Weather
Don't let a little rain ruin
your barbecue. Check the
weather report a day or
two before the party and
have an indoor back-up
plan in mind. Even if
your guests need to stay
indoors, you can still
barbecue in a light rain.
A large golf umbrella and a designated
"umbrella-holder" works fine.
Make Clean-up Easy
Consider using disposable dinnerware
instead of your regular plates
and silverware. It's a barbecue,
after all!
Accept Help
Say yes when someone asks if they
can help. Whether it's bringing a
dish or running to the store for
last minute items, don't try to do
it all yourself.
Encourage Games
Have outdoor games like lawn
bowling, croquet or horseshoes
available for your guests to play.
And don't feel obligated to
organize a game. If your guests
want to play, they'll figure it out!
Provide Non-Alcoholic
Options
Encourage Games
Make sure you have plenty of
non-alcoholic beverages available
for your guests. Keeping a variety
of sodas, bottled water and juice
in plain sight for everyone to see
will encourage more responsible
drinking.
Clean the Grill...Hot
When you're done cooking, clean
the grill while it's still warm. Use a
wire brush. You'll save yourself a
lot of time and trouble the next
time you want to barbecue.
Heat It Up
Air temperatures can drop quickly
as your guests linger into the
evening. Have a propane patio
heater on hand to keep your guests
comfortable after the sun sets.
