Please critique my first ever bbq menu

[Liud]

Hosting my first bbq this weekend in my first home.
Sadly the weather looks a little iffy but we’ll have a laugh regardless.

This is my menu. We have a few vegetarians. I think it’s a very easy menu as I can give dh the skewers I’ve premarinated. And the rest can be prepared in advance.

The only thing that really requires effort is the focaccia (I don’t love making bread but I love the recipe).

Its probably a bit carb heavy but I’ve done it that way with the vegetarians in mind.

Pasta salad
Homemade focaccia
Greek salad
Bombay new potatoes (dishoom recipe)
Butter herb new potatoes (for ppl who don’t like coriander)
Halloumi skewers
Veg skewers
Tandoori style chicken skewers (tastes better than takeaways imo)
Mint lamb kofte
Corn on the cob

Homemade mint chutney
tamarind sauce
Mango chutney

Crisps and shop bought dips
Nuts

Key lime pie
Profiteroles

Wine
Beer

I’d be disappointed. BBQ to me says juicy burgers, hot dogs and coleslaw. Some Bombay potatoes and skewers….

There's a middle ground with wraps and buns. Chicken lightly marinaded or fairly simple.

Then build your own.

I think you can do both easily without it being a horribly awful British BBQ with burnt sausages and cremated burgers tbh.

Genuinely I find the sausage and burger mentality restrictive. You can go interesting without going wild on spice.

You need some sausages or burgers. Even if they're 'posh' ones in brioche buns. The rest of the menu looks lush but I would expect burgers or sausages at a BBQ.

I think it sounds great but the focaccia is out of place - I'd expect a flatbread with the menu!

I would personally be fine with not having burgers or sausages at a BBQ but my friends and family would expect at least one or the other so I'd provide.

Yes all I’m doing is potatoes and skewers…

Honestly, I'd come away from it thinking that it was a load of fancy sides, but there wasn't much in the way of BBQ food. It doesn't have to be burgers and sausages, there are plenty of other options.

I am quite a fussy eater, and I love BBQ meats, so I'd have probably half starved myself all day getting ready for the festival of meat that a BBQ usually is, and would come away hungry.

I'd be surprised if I turned up to a bbq with that food. There's not much bbq'd meat. Its more like a salad and potato platter.

Sounds fab, can i come over ? In my day of Military BBQ's done on a 45 galllon oil drum, it was burgers, bratties, cheese slices, potato salad and coleslaw with a chilli for later. Drinks were 10 cases of Wobbly, Hock and Asbach and coke for when it got dark.

I’m adding salmon, cutting the pasta salad and switching the foccacia to flatbread. Thanks everyone

A lot of men will prefer burgers in buns, hotdogs, onions etc. So will children. There’s not many people that would turn up to a BBQ and be excited about focaccia or flat bread.

Sounds lush but I'd do a mega easy massive green salad with cherry tomatoes and some sausages 😁

Sounds amazing OP

I thought you'd said this was your first ever BBQ!

Anyway, you know your guests better than us. I personally always do a classic BBQ with burgers and sausages because that's what we like.

In your menu, I'd leave out the focaccia and the new potatoes, and replace profiteroles with ice cream.

What drinks are you serving?

Where are the burgers and sausages? They are absolutely mandatory at a Bbq!, Guests will be wondering when the burgers and bangers are going to be making an appearance.

Op did say it was her first bbq, then later changed this, maybe as a way to defensively strengthen her point. It seems she doesn't want to be 'critiqued' at all, and is very rigid on her idea of what constitutes a good bbq. Not much point in the thread.

I grew up in a country where BBQ is taken very seriously. Literally nobody cooks burgers and pork sausages.

Your menu sounds great OP. I agree with those who have suggested swapping one of the potato dishes for a bean or chickpea based salad. I love salads based on butter beans.

What is the point of this thread?

First the OP says it’s her first ever BBQ
Gets progressively defensive at critique although she asked for it
then says she’s done BBQs before

Why post?!

OP has taken on board some suggestions and made swaps to her menu.

Calm down Princess Eugenie and get your arse to Iceland

Needs more meat. Steak, burgers, sossies.

I’ve never hosted a bbq. I’ve made tandoori chicken on a barbecue for dh and I before. Never had a bbq as a party

Exactly!

If not burgers/sausages, then steaks, pork chops, non tandoori chicken (I'm not sure tandoori chicken works in a BBQ personally). Some slow cooked brisket?

Or fancyish burgers , homemade if you want.

Not salad, not salmon, but meat.

You need more meat. Maybe some steak if burgers and sausages aren't your thing.

I’m reminded of Nessa dissing Gwen’s menu in the bbq episode of Gavin & Stacey 😂

OP are you getting your burgers and sausages skewers from Dick Powell?

It doesn't seem very bbq -ey , no sausages , no ( homemade ) burgers .
As a veggie , I'm not a great lover of bbqs , but the above are staples of one and I've never been to one that didn't offer that .
I will say though extra points to you if you could do the veggie bbq offerings on a bbq that is not used for the meaty eaters . I'd love that !