Hosting a BBQ is one of the simplest ways to entertain family and friends outdoors, especially when you want to celebrate all of the dads and grandads in your family.
To really spoil your dad, husband, son or brother, make sure they don’t have to lift a finger!
Let dad put his feet up and relax with our tips for the perfect Father’s Day BBQ.
Getting started
If you plan to host a BBQ for Father’s Day this weekend, you’ll want to be well prepared so everything on the day runs smoothly and Dad can sit back and relax.
Firstly, if Dad’s the go-to BBQ man, make sure you’re familiar with the grill yourself.
Practice turning on the BBQ and learn all the temperature controls. If you’re working with a gas BBQ, check your gas bottle ahead of time to make sure it’s full and in good condition.
If it looks like it needs replacing, it probably does – when it comes to gas BBQs, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You can get a new one at your local service station.
If you’ve got a coal BBQ make sure you’ve got plenty of coal, and check how long it’ll take for your BBQ to heat up. Some coal BBQs can take as long as 60 minutes to get hot, so make sure you factor that in to your cooking times.
Getting organised
List all the basics you’ll need to cook and set the table, and buy them before Sunday so there’s no last minute rushing to the shops. Plates, cups, ice, sauces, serviettes, water jugs and plenty of cutlery! It’s important you get organised with the essentials.
TOP TIP: You’ll probably need a few bags of ice to keep the drinks cool – you can also use your ice to make slushies for the kids or an ice cold sangria for the grown-ups.
Getting set up
Give your backyard entertaining space a little refresh with some simple additions to make it look special for your family on the day.
Something as simple as some new tablecloths or hanging some fairy lights from your pergola will do wonders for your space.
Consider scattering a few candles along the table to give a more intimate feel to the setting.
One of our favourite ways to make a beautiful BBQ space is to throw a few bay leaves on the grill while it’s heating up – if you’re under a veranda or pergola, it’ll give a delicious smell to get your guests’ mouths watering.
The finishing touches
Provide plenty of snacks for your Dad and your guests; chips, dips, crackers, raw veggies, and cheese make the perfect snack spread.
If you want an activity to get everyone up and about, sports are a great idea. You can get a mini golf kit or backyard cricket set; a great way to include all your guests. Even a footy or a soccer ball will provide hours of afternoon entertainment for the whole family.
Keep it simple
The best thing about hosting a BBQ is the more simple the menu, the better! Enjoy classics like chicken skewers, hamburgers, and sausages. Alternatively, mix it up with grilled eggplant, char-grilled corn on the cob and capsicums.
These BBQ dishes will keep all your guests happy, and keeps the cooking straight forward so you can concentrate on enjoying the day with your family.
Side dishes can include simple salads such as potato salad or a coleslaw. These dishes will add some freshness to the menu – and are welcome choices on a warm day.
Bread is a BBQ staple, so make sure you’re prepared with sliced bread, hamburger buns and bread rolls.
Dessert doesn’t need to be elaborate either. Prepare something that can be stored or refrigerated ahead of time – means one less thing to do on the day. Pavlova, fruit salad or cupcakes are just a few options that are both crowd-pleasers and take little time to create.
Guest contributions
If any of your guests offer to bring something, let them!
Delegating dishes to just a few people will take a whole lot of work off your plate.
Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family to bring something if you think you might need a hand.
Finally…
If Dad really feels the need to take over the grilling duties, let him. It’s his day after all.
What are your plans for this Father’s Day?
Be inspired
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