The Ultimate Checklist for Hosting a Summer BBQ Party

While there’s still a few weeks of al fresco season left before it will officially be summer, you still have time to throw the season’s best backyard barbecue party! With the following list of essentials, we have made sure to cover all the bases - from food and drinks to grilling tools and safety items - to help you plan and arrange everything ahead of time, and have a stress-free and thoroughly enjoyable get-together with your friends and family. 1) Food & Drinks Essentials A good grocery list almost always takes the stress out of just about anything. Not only does it save you time and money on a busy weeknight, it also doesn’t let you go off tangent and buy on impulse. Here’s how your list could look like:

• Sausages

• Burgers (...and don’t limit yourself to chicken and beef only! Lamb, fish, prawns, and veggies are good options too. They will keep your menu balanced and full of variety. Most importantly, there will be something for everyone, especially if your guests have varied dietary preferences.)

• Burger buns

• Cheese slices

• Chicken wings and thighs

• Vegetables and fruits for salads and burger garnish (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, celery, mushrooms, carrots, onions, cucumber, tomatoes, beans, apples, pineapple, avocado, mango, etc.)

• Vegetarian & vegan-friendly skewers (cottage cheese, soy chops, colored bell peppers, onion, zucchini, tofu, etc.)

• Non-vegetarian skewers (chicken breast fillets, beef sirloin steak, and boneless lamb shoulder, sirloin or leg are the best choices for skewers because they have just the right amount of fat you need for the most tender and flavorful kebabs. If you can afford to splurge, you can go for prawns and fish as well.)

• Sides (dinner rolls, asparagus, baked/roasted/mashed potatoes, baked beans, eggplant parmigiana, corn on the cob, coleslaw)

• Condiments and dips (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, walnut yogurt dip, mint chutney, etc.)

• Munchies and other finger-friendly foods (chips, crackers with cheese, hummus with carrot and celery sticks, etc.)

• Desserts

• Lemonade, fruit juices, soft drinks, or mineral water

• Cutlery, crockery, and glasses

• Litter bags to dispose of rubbish

2) BBQ Essentials Keep the grilling equipment clean and ready to go on the day of. Even if you have planned the perfect barbecue menu, your party will turn into a disaster in no time if you find at the last minute that your grill element is broken or that you don’t have enough gas or charcoal supply. Instead of panicking for solutions to a broken grill, check whether your barbecue apparatus is in working condition or not, a couple of days earlier. If the barbecue burners do not ignite or give a low flame, get them repaired immediately, or buy a new grill. Trust us if you will, the right grill can make or break your event! Also, stock up on gas and charcoal beforehand, to avoid last minute rush to the nearest supplier. Make sure you know the basics of how to grill. Lay the meat thermometer, basting brush, tongs, spatulas, knives, forks, aprons, and grill gloves out in front to make sure you prepare and handle the food safely and hygienically. Don’t forget to wash your hands with clean water, especially after handling raw meat. Buy storage containers, aluminum foil or clingfilm to preserve food quality and temperature, and also, to store leftover food. 3) Set-up & Safety Essentials Make sure that your guests enjoy their well deserved respite, and feel good and safe at all times. Keep the following within everyone’s reach:

• Dry towels

• Paper or cloth napkins

• Anti-bacterial wipes

• Large bottles of water

• First-aid kit

• Fire extinguisher

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Lawn chairs, couches, and bean bags

• Picnic blankets

• Marquees or tents for shade from the sun, or shelter in case it’s a rainy day

• Access to toilet

• Lawn games (cricket, football, Frisbee, board games)

Not sure how to man a grill? Stuck for menu ideas? Wondering how to throw a BBQ event for a large group in Dubai? Don’t worry! Get in touch with our experienced catering staff on +971 58 581 3825 and let us help you host a 100% no-fuss barbecue party.