With the world cup on the horizon, Brits up and down the country are firing up their barbecues to celebrate the tournament (and the warm weather) with great food cooked al fresco.
But hosting is a lot of pressure, so if you’re going to be behind the barbecue this summer, here’s a checklist to guarantee a cook-out worthy of worldwide celebration.
Viewing
If the television in your home is in a room that opens into the garden you have a ready made viewing section. But if your screen is too separate from the garden or a little small for a crowd, projectors are great when hosting big parties outside.
Purchasing a low-cost or second-hand projector and hanging a white sheet in the garden creates a cinema sized screen, perfect for group gatherings. And you get to make the most of the warm weather, instead of sitting inside.
Layout
Perfecting the lay-out is key to a low-stress, high-fun environment, especially if you’re the host. To keep everyone in good spirits, locate the cooking area separate from the viewing area so people aren’t crowding the barbecue all evening.
This also makes sure people aren’t choking on smoke all night from being sat downwind from the grill. The attendees can enjoy a fume-free game and you can cook without an audience.
Music
Football chants are at the heart of British culture, so pre-match music matters, and helps to keep the energy high during those hard to watch moments. Making a strong playlist gets everyone excited for kick-off and partying long into the night.
Combine some crowd pleasers, summer tunes and British bangers with an iconic football anthem or two and you’ve immediately set the tone for the night. Other popular choices are previous world cup songs that get everyone feeling nostalgic and ready for the game ahead.
Decoration
Flags are a must-have, get patriotic and support your team. Bunting adds a wholesome summer vibe to the space. And for those late night games, soft fairy lights and warm furnishings get the garden feeling cosy.
If you’re planning on hosting regularly in the summer, investing in an outdoor heater might be a good idea. British weather is nothing if not unpredictable, so a heater for those cooler evenings keeps the party going for longer.
Barbecue
Par-cooking hard vegetables and preparing meat prior to a barbecue takes the pressure off. Trying to plan meals during the match usually means food gets served late or at different times.
If you want to be present for the whole game, pre-cooking food and using a warming rack or lower heat zones makes serving food simultaneously much easier.
Barbecue recipes to get the party started
The best barbecue recipes keep things simple. Go for easy to eat, handfuls that pack a big punch.
Big match burgers
You can’t host a barbecue without burgers. Use beef patties for the meat-eaters or a veggie-substitute where preferred. Good alternatives to meat include aubergine, mushroom and black beans.
Load your burgers up with cheese, onions, pickles – or for a twist, why not try a slice of grilled pineapple? Don’t forget your sauces, and you’ve got a totally customisable dish that’s sure to leave everyone satisfied.
Kick-off kebabs
Covered in sticky, sweet sauce, marinated chicken skewers are easy to serve and guaranteed to please. Prepare a glaze the evening before, whether it’s spicy, sweet or smoky. Leave the meat to soak in the flavours overnight and throw on the barbecue before the game.
Tofu or halloumi make a great substitute for vegans and vegetarians. But if you’re bored of chicken, skewering meatballs and serving them with flatbreads, tahini and lemon, offers a Middle Eastern inspired plate.
Half-time hot dogs
Upgrade the classic hot dog with jalapeños, cheese, fried onions and a diced tomato salsa. Like the burgers you can customise exactly to your preference, so everyone can tailor a hot dog suited to them.
When hosting a barbecue, mains should be kept easy to serve and customisable when feeding a large group of people with different dietary requirements.
Once you’ve settled on a few key recipes, just load the barbecue with coal and you’re ready to get the party started.
Final thoughts
Hosting can be stressful, but with the right preparation, creating a barbecue with an atmosphere and menu worthy of world cup celebration is made easier.
Plan meal timings the night before, settle on a thought-through lay-out, and most importantly, keep the morale high with great music and a warm, party ambiance.