Summer is here and there are heatwaves on the horizon! So, what better time to get friends and family over for a barbecue party? Here’s a guide on what you’ll need to make the most of a glorious sunny afternoon with good food and good company.

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

Equipment

Any good barbecue party has one obvious requirement – a barbecue! Dust off your old grill and ensure you’ve scrubbed off any stubborn charred food remnants. Alternatively, why not treat yourself to a brand-new one? Whether it’s a traditional barbecue grill or an outdoor pizza oven, there are many options available from retailers like Argos, where you may also be able to use NHS discount codes.

Prepare Food

The last thing you want when the sun is shining and all your favourite people are around is to spend all your time in the kitchen busy with food prep. That’s why preparing as much of your food as possible before your guests arrive is a good idea.

Get all your meat portioned, primed and seasoned ready to pop on the grill when your guests arrive. Remember to keep vegetables and any vegetarian or vegan barbecue optionsseparate. You can always ask your guests if they can bring along extras such as salads, crisps, dips and other snacks so the onus isn’t all on you. Don’t forget the essentials, like sauces and burger buns!

Prepare Setting

Ahead of your barbecue, you might want to set aside some time to prepare your home and outdoor space for guests. Make sure you have enough outdoor chairs, cushions or picnic blankets for people to sit on comfortably and invest in some paper plates to save on washing up whilst also being biodegradable.

It’s also a good idea to come up with a wet weather plan in case rain makes an appearance on the day. Depending on the size of your garden, you could set up a gazebo to shelter your guests or keep a stash of umbrellas and Tupperware handy in case the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse and you need to get inside quickly!

Create an Atmosphere

Elevate your barbecue by creating a real party atmosphere. All you need is a portable speaker and a great playlist loaded up with all your favourite songs, new and old. Add a few finishing touches such as fairy lights, bunting or bunches or themed centrepieces to help create that wow factor, and change an everyday barbecue into a garden barbecue party that you can be proud of!