I have seriously overstretched with a barbecue and I am panicking.

[Theresip]

I decided to have a barbecue next weekend because I’ve got my garden looking the way I want it and I do enjoy hosting. I’ve been inviting people for the last couple of weeks or so. I thought I’d invited around 10 people but I haven’t. I’ve invited almost 20. I’ve only just counted them up and now I am seriously panicking.

I’m not a particularly good cook, never mind on a barbecue. How on earth can I do 20 burgers and sausages and time it so people aren’t sitting starving? It’s a charcoal barbecue so putting more charcoal on after one batch would mean some people waiting another 40 minutes whilst the coals cook and I cook again?? What can I do?

And also, my garden isn’t tiny, but it’s not particularly big. I have a garden sofa and stools that could fit around six people near the kitchen door, and then on the upper decking I’ve got a high dining table that would seat another six. I do have additional small stools but they’re too little for the high table and it would be very squashed round the other table because it’s right in front of the kitchen where everyone will be getting their drinks.

Any advice gratefully received. I have never hosted for this number.

Because I met them, liked them, enjoyed their company, and would like to socialise with them further. It’s obvious, surely.

Are you posting from 1952?

It's going to blow your mind when you realise that not only are single women allowed to own property, but that lesbians also exist!

I’m not sure what the issue is. I’d like to barbecue the food myself on my barbecue at the barbecue I am hosting.

I would just toast some pittbreads then have olives, cherry Tom's, carrot /cucumber batons with pots of hummus and other dips with drinks when everyone arrives, definitely pre cooked sausages etc in cooker and finish of on th BBQ... I'm sure you'll host a fab day.. Enjoy!

What do you do for the big kebabs?

Get some skewers and thread onto them alternate cubes of meat, cherry tomatoes, corn, baby onions and/or slices of courgette then grill, @Theresip
Edited to add omit the meat - or substitute with halloumi - on some if you have vegetarian guests, and then you've got something suitable for them too

One other thing ... if you're cooking in the over then finishing off on the barbecue, get some lovely sticky glaze for the drumsticks and sausages and brush it on before they go on the coals. The heat will caramelise it quickly and it avoids that "hey, this wasn't really barbecued" flavour

Perhaps have some frankfurters on standby if it all goes

I like this PP'd idea too. Franks are very quick to heat up if needed (and last for ages if not) and if guests have already some of the "usual" barbecue stuff they won't mind in the least if you run out and these appear instead

😂 I’m not shagging them, I’m having them round for a burger and wine along with many mutual friends.

If you are really panicking, why dont you just do a cold summer buffet instead and plenty of drink. I'm sure they wouldnt care less after a couple of glasses.

You can actually do similar with the burgers - cook them and then keep them warm under foil either in the oven or on the bbq? You are also allowed to ask the ones you know quite well if they’d help?

Not really. The people I’ve met a couple of times know everyone else there and have lots in common with them all. I don’t know why you’re getting so invested in this.

biggest tip, if anyone offers to help, say yes!
Even if you don't want them doing the actual bbq there will always be stuff to do.

Also have as much stuff as possible (sides, drinks, sauces, buns, enough cutlery and plates) out so people aren't constantly wandering in and out asking for things.

have food waste bin on the side so people can chuck everything easily.

if people don't know each other, introduce everyone to those already there. so many hosts don't bother doing this and it makes it awkward.

Please tell me it’s a gas BBQ?

If not, have water and sand nearby. I know it’s unlikely, but if something does go wrong at the moment, it goes badly wrong. Decking and sparks and a drought…

But it’s a great opportunity for those people to meet your partner… and he can help with the cooking?

Buy a pasting table for the bbq stuff. Cover with a plastic table cloth.
get a couple of french sticks and dips and span her pot of new potatoes with butter

And I’ve told you it’s because he doesn’t know them. He wouldn’t want to meet 20 people at once and listen to us talking about how Jan in the Liverpool office is leaving for a rival company.

My DP and I are very happy, probably because I don’t insist he has to come to my social gatherings.

A bit off topic, but how do you do this please?

I said I wanted to barbecue the food myself. This is extremely odd behaviour.

It’s charcoal but we are not in a drought and it’s forecast rain all this week.

Does it matter?