Please critique my first ever bbq menu

Sounds lush. I wouldn't personally bother doing the other potatoes- just do the ones you like, there are plenty of other options if someone doesn't like coriander.

It looks lovely OP.

But I'd secretly cry at the mint in the lamb.

Lamb is my favourite meat by far but I absolutely hate mint 😭🐑

You are not very accepting of criticism for someone who has created a thread ASKING for criticism.

It's not that there's only one way to do a barbecue, but a barbecue = grilling meats over a fire...and you plan on providing your guests with only two meat options, and 500 sides with very clashing flavours that don't go together at all. By all means do you, but I can't quite understand the point of this thread when the only feedback you are willing to take on board is to reduce the carbs.

Op, I think your menu sounds nice, and I'd actively enjoy eating it. I don't enjoy BBQs that are just cheap burgers and sausages served in pappy white bread. I'm quite surprised how many on here want UPF muck rather than a properly seasoned variety of delicious home made foods.

Love that you ask people to critique it and then reject 99% of the criticism!

honestly? It’s just a bit fancy. Cooking salmon and skewers on a bbq is much harder work than sausages or steaks.

if your veggie friends are strict they don’t want their stuff cooked with salmon or chicken anyway…

Omg! After replying to 1st PP, I've noted the entire carbs/potato, police are out in force.!

Oh wow! Can I come? That sounds great.

If I was preparing a BBQ I’d make it much simpler, but if you are happy to put all the work in then that sounds really good.

Are you the potato police?!! There can never be too many potato/carb options!
If you don't want more than one choice, great. But those of us who like a potato or 6, leave us with a choice

That sounds absolutely delish to me, I like a bit of variety.

Sorry, I’m with the burger people and I’m not a fussy eater. Wouldn’t touch pasta salad or cous cous or anything like that and the potatoes don’t go either.

Too many skewers (fiddly and annoying to eat) especially with sloppy potatoes and olives and feta and pasta rolling round on the plate whilst trying to balance a slab of focaccia on the side.

Salmon really doesn’t go so I wouldn’t add that at all

You do need some normal meat, the salmon has not helped the menu. People will be looking for a more plain meat. I know few of my family would enjoy this bbq sorry.

yes I agree.....not bothered about only lamb or chicken but there is nothing plain. I think it depends if you know your guests...if you do and you know what they will enjoy then no need for a critique....but if there are people you don't know well, then I'd make sure there is something plain and run of the mill.

Would be delighted to not be presented by a sausage and burger at a bbq, fucking hate the things and we almost never do them 😂
your menu sounds nice, I wouldn’t eat the pasta salad and would prefer a big thick juicy steak as an addition but it’s a nice menu with plenty of choice.

Ignore the negative Nancys! What time do you want me?

I guess it depends who you are inviting. If I was coming I'd think even though I'm fussy would be safe at a bbq for options but there's not much I would eat there. You need to offer some kind of burger or sausage for any fussy eaters.

Id swap the pasta salad for a roasted veg cous cous. It would compliment the rest far better in my opinion.

I'm veggie and I would be delighted. I would have a bit of everything apart from the meat and would think you had done a great job with the catering.

Seriously?
Buffet maybe at a pinch but not a BBQ

I'm flabbergasted that so many here think your menu doesn't include enough meat and would choose burgers and sausages - presumably shop bought and thus UPF? - over homemade chicken and kofte.

Seriously, you know your friends and I guess you'll know a little about their food preferences, so just go with what you feel comfortable with. I'd aim for equal thirds of meat, carbs and salad (maybe extra non-meat options, depending on the number of vegetarians), plus fruit and ice cream for dessert.

PS: is there room for me..... can I come 😁

I agree that being rigid isn't the way no matter of your tastes yes. The issue is that op created the thread asking for critique, they didn't. Taste is subjective imo, and one size doesn't fit all unless you know your crowd.

Looks gorgeous. Veggies usually get rubbish food at BBQs but I would be delighted with this menu.😛

and is very rigid on her idea of what constitutes a good bbq

So, not at all like all the posters on this thread with very conservative tastes who will only eat burgers and sausages @ChangeisntalwaysfortheBetter ?

Oh the irony.

It strikes me that most of the posters on here either eat children's diets or just don't like "forrin muck".

@Liud you know your guests better than the posters on here do. If you know they will enjoy your menu then ignore the posters who eat boring diets and who are unable to think of anything more imaginative than burgers and sausages.

Although, I must admit that while I would enjoy every bit your menu tremendously, I do like an overdone barbecued sausage 😁

Adding salmon is a good shout, when I read your menu I did think there was a salmon gap there but I want sure if that was just because that’s what I love. I’m all about veggie and chicken skewers, salmon, potato and salads. I always avoid the burgers and sausages.

Sounds great and you've got much better veggie options than your standard fake meat. I would expect a BBQ to be a carb heavy event, a bit like a roast dinner. I'm sure the potato dishes will get eaten up once people have had a few drinks.

You might find you end up with extra meat anyway as people often bring stuff to barbecues. Whenever we have one, everyone brings stuff and we end up with loads!