Can I have your BBQ/hosting tips, please? I'm anxious!

[WorriedAboutEntertaining]

Hello everyone - DH and I are hosting a BBQ in our back garden in a couple of weeks time for family and close friends. We reckon there will be about 40 adults and 10 kids, age range of the kids being around 4 to 10.

I. Am. Terrified.

Which is ridiculous. It's just a BBQ, right? But we've not often entertained, especially not for so many people, and we really want to make sure everyone has a great time. So, can I have your top BBQ-in-a-garden tips, please? For example - what are good games to keep kids entertained? Thank you!

Part cook anything that can be part cooked in the oven and finish off on BBQ. minimises chance of raw in the middle and charred, and massively speeds things up.

Keep things simple. Do not try and offer too many options.

for pudding, bananas and chocolate buttons tucked in, in foil, over the embers. Adults and children love them.

children can toast marshmallow on skewers over the last heat of the bbq

Buy loads of those bubble wand things for the kids.

If you're paranoid about stuff being cooked get a temperature probe, total peace of mind for about £10 and you'll use it so much in the future.

Make a list of what you're planning to make and then run to by us.

Be as prepared as possible and not like me and being doing your make up as people arrive.

Good luck

depending on kids ages - boules, which grown up likes too? Or if younger, a mini treasure hunt (like Easter egg hunt)? if hot, a sprinkler (don’t bother with pool) and tel them to bring costumes n towel.

have a film handy with popcorn for after and stick the kids in front of that while you have grown up time x

Do kebabs... lots of different types if you want. Means things cook well, quickly, easy to serve, eat etc. I do lamb, chicken, fish, halloumi etc and you can intersperse the chunks of meat/fish with peppers, onion etc.

It’s very difficult if not impossible to feed 50 people at once from one bbq, unless you expect them to eat in turns and queue all day.

I’ve done 50 folks, you need to do things in the oven, like marinated chicken breasts or thighs, sausages , baked potatoes and then do the burgers on the bbq and then serve all together with the sides, salads, cheese, flavoured mayo’s etc, get some bamboo disposable plates and cutlery from Amazon.

Not for 5o people. You can maybe feed 10 like that, but it would be a constant queue with folks trying to get seconds.

Uh oh that’s a lot of people
i would get lots of crusty rolls, ham slices and cheeses so the pressure is not all on the actual meat prep !

agree with part cooking a lot of the meat

For food, keep it really simple. I tend to do burgers, sausages and halloumi on the BBQ then a selection of salads that have been prepared in advance. Coleslaw, potato salad, cous cous and a green salad.

Put out some crisps and dips for people to nibble on while you're cooking.

Someone in charge of the BBQ and another person in charge of making sure everyone has a drink.

For a dessert just do strawberries, melted chocolate to dip and toast some marshmallows.

For children I agree with bubble wands, letting them run about and then putting a film on indoors.

Ask people to bring specific stuff ie soft drinks or potato salad so you don't have to provide everything.

People always bring stuff to BBQs so might as well bring things you need and not just sausages!

Do all the prep possible in advance and let someone else take on the grilling bit.

Put all the salads, buns, sauces and drinks out so everyone can help themselves.

Get a bag of ice for the freezer. And an extra load of charcoal (sustainable ideally).

Clear the fridge as much as you can in the week before so they you have enough space for all the extra food and drinks people will bring.

It will be hectic so don't forget to enjoy it.

Good luck!

My friend had a BBQ wedding reception at her home. They prepared absolutely everything the day before and left loads of salads, prepped fruit, drinks,etc in the fridge. Genius part was a blackboard with half hour timings on it - guests signed up to take turns cooking burgers and sausages. Two BBQ’s - one for veggie/vegan stuff.
This completely took the pressure off cooking on the BBQ and it was a really relaxed and happy afternoon.

My best tip is to get someone else (a man) to commit to doing the actual bbqing. Then just make some salads, carbs and a nice cake in advance. Then enjoy the BBQ

Buy 40 burgers
Buy 40 sausages (Cook these fully in oven on the morning) then warm on BBQ
80 buns (pre cut yourself before hand)
Buy a large ketchup

potato salad
coleslaw

crisps and dip

bowl of mini haribos/brioche for kids

a few ham sandwiches/cheese sandwiches

hire a bouncy castle? You can get little ones for £80ish

Oooooo this is good, I'm so glad I asked! Thank you for the advice so far.

DH is doing food - well, the meat. I'll be sorting sides - I'm thinking baked potatoes in the oven, lots of freshly baked bread from the local bakery, salads. I might have to cheat and buy some pre-prepared salad stuff in . . . I'll be 35 weeks pregnant so I feel that gives me an excuse not to make everything from scratch

Love some of the suggestions for kids too - s'mores, a film indoors with popcorn for later, and the boules suggestion got me thinking about that beanbag game, where you toss the beanbag into a board with a hole/target in it . . .

Don’t over complicate things

As you are inexperienced I would hesitate to do a BBQ for that many people. A friend of mine is an expert, he has two BBQs going with two cooks going flat out. He cooks steaks and even has branding irons marked, R, MR, M and WD. Even his parties are for a more moderate number.

As someone else has said, do loads of none BBQ food. I would serve bowls of new potatoes, rice, salads and crisps. Cook some sausages and chicken in the oven and finish on the BBQ. No one will know or care.

Do you have an 'inner circle' of guests who you can delegate stuff too??

Welcoming new guests
Getting kids drinks
Keeping adults topped up
Passing / topping up crisps / nibbles
Taking food to table
Assistant BBQ chef(s)
Desserts
Clearing up

Par boil the sausages. I know it sounds strange but it just ensures they are cooked throughout and then brown on the BBQ.

Jacket spuds pre do in oven - do loads of these. Have cheese on hand for a topping.

Pasta salad is cheap and filling. Do one plain with no dressing for kids with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella. Do a second one with pesto dressing feta tomatoes and olives for the grown ups.

dips and crisps and crudités out for starters.

Buy fresh baguettes and cut them up for sausages and burgers to go in. Easy and everyone loves crusty bread. Ketchup. Chilli sauce, mustard, burger relish and mayo on the table.

men cook meat. Get everyone to bring their own preferred meat or veggie option for the BBQ and something to drink. That way everyone should have a plate full of something.

pudding - ice lollies/box of Cornettos in freezer for kids. Do one massive bow of Eton mess with pre-made meringues , cream and berries for adults.

Don't do baked pots as they aren't summery and are a hassle.to eat one-handed (which I assume your guests will be as standing)

Instead, cook baby potatoes and toss in olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh chopped herbs. Serve at room temp. They are yummy and low maintenance .

Do you have an air fryer ? Personally, I would cook all burgers and sausages in that before folks arrive and then do some kebabs and other meat on the bbq.

Cut bread rolls and butter them before people arrive, put in baskets and cover to keep fresh.

A nice colourful side I do a lot is halved red papers (remove seeds) filled with 2 x quartered tomatoes and a few slices of peeled garlic, olive oil and s&p. Roasted in oven for 20 to 30 mins til softish (but not too soft) also served at room temperature.

Don't forget mayo, mustards and salad dressing.

Have a few big plastic boxes for people to throw their empty bottles in.

Feed the kids in the first batch on the bbq

Ensure there are plenty of crisps and nuts for nibbling if there is a delay on food.

For 50 people it's really helpful if you can set up two serving tables to be identical but spaced apart. That way twice as many people can be helping themselves at once. Don't offer too many options. Many people will try a bit of everything.

Have a separate bbq for veggies or cook their oven.

If you are doing burgers make a burger station where people have room to actually build their burgers as they like them. A choice of blue or cheddar for cheese burgers, fried onions (done in advance and kept warm in a slow cooker.) gherkins, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and finely diced raw onion. A selection of sauces.

Don't bother with leafy salad.

We've done several summer party/BBQ type things for this number of people. My biggest lesson learned is that nobody ever eats the leafy salad. No matter how posh it is, no matter if there are 50 people, no matter how many tempting dressings you put next to it. Even if it's just one lone bag of salad leaves artfully tipped into a serving bowl. It's all still there at the end.

Light the BBQ well in advance.

Cook everything in the oven.

Waft it past the BBQ on the way to the table.

Unless of course your DH is an experienced BBQ cook in which case leave hi to it.

I do bbqs for 40 people give or take every year, its great fun!

Stock up on food from aldi or lidl - easy to bulk buy and the meat is pretty good. Or Costco if you shop there.

Couple of big bowls to fill with salads, pasta sides. A few more to fill with crisps etc.

Lots of alcohol and soft drinks.

Let people help themselves - get the guests involved in the bbq-ing, often a great way to break the ice if you're mixing friendship groups / introducing people.

Ask people to bring a side / snack / drinks. They're always happy to help out.

Simple puddings, choose crowd pleasers - again shop bought is fine.

Jacket potatoes are a great idea, I'll usually do a vegetarian chilli as well. Get a load of pizzas in too, they can be used if you're worried you've not cooked enough or if people are staying late and will want in the evening too. Or just order Dominos.

Make sure you've got enough coal/gas and something to light with :)

Stick some empty cardboard boxes in the garden for people to throw their empties in as it saves on clearing up. Use paper plates if you can't face washing up.

Crisps & wine 👍