What a difference a year makes! This time last year, we were all hoping for summer to arrive. Fast forward to today, and we’re basking in 30-degree temperatures and glorious sunshine – it’s looking like the first proper heatwave of the year here in the UK!
Across the country, BBQs are being fired up, and The Long Barn is no exception. If you’re planning a large group BBQ at a holiday let, or even just at home, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top 10 tips for a perfect large group BBQ, designed to make your event a sizzling success.
10 Essential Tips for a Perfect Group BBQ (at home or hopefully, at the Long Barn)
1. Plan Your Menu (and Quantities)
Don’t just wing it! Think about your main proteins (sausages, burgers, chicken, veggie options), a variety of sides (salads, coleslaw, bread), and desserts. For 14 people, aim for 2-3 pieces of protein per person, generous portions of 3-4 different sides, and enough dessert for everyone. Remember to consider dietary restrictions and allergies early on.
Long Barn Tip: Organise what everyone will bring or make ahead of time to spread the load. You can even pre-order marinated meats from one of our recommended local businesses! Read all about our recommended local suppliers here making your large group BBQ even easier.
2. Prep Ahead of Time
The more you can do before guests arrive, the more relaxed you’ll be. Marinate meats the day before, chop vegetables for salads, make dressings, and prepare any cold desserts in advance. This frees you up to truly enjoy the company.
Long Barn Tip: Why not order a delicious Aktar BBQ box for delivery directly to The Long Barn? Aktar also have some great ideas for the perfect BBQ food. You could also order salads and desserts from a local business like Simply Delicious who can drop off prepared salads and desserts for you.
3. Delegate Smartly
You don’t have to do it all yourself. If guests offer to bring something, give them specific suggestions like a bag of ice, a particular side dish, or drinks. This lightens your load and makes them feel more involved.
Long Barn Tip: The beauty of The Long Barn is that everyone can pitch in easily – it isn’t one persons house or kitchen. So get all your group involved.
4. Set Up Different Stations
To avoid bottlenecks and ensure smooth flow, create distinct zones. Have a designated area for drinks, another for food (cooked and uncooked), and a separate spot for plates, cutlery, and napkins. This keeps traffic moving and makes it easy for guests to help themselves.
Long Barn Tip: the kitchen layout, with its large island, dedicated drinks fridges, and huge sideboard in the dining room, makes setting up different stations incredibly simple.
5. Master Your Grill
Make sure your BBQ grill is clean and has plenty of fuel (charcoal or gas). If you’re using charcoal, get it lit well in advance so it’s at the perfect temperature. Organise your grill space: hot zones for searing, and cooler zones for slower cooking.
Long Barn Tip: The Long Barn boasts a huge Weber gas BBQ, perfect for cooking for a large group. Even better, we scrub it clean between guests, so it’s sparkling for your arrival – no nasty previous guest grease here! Plus, there’s always plenty of gas, all included in your stay. And it’s really easy to use.
6. Keep Food Safe
With a larger group, food safety is even more crucial. Always keep raw meats separate from cooked foods. Use different chopping boards and utensils. Keep perishable items in coolers or the fridge until just before serving. A meat thermometer is essential to ensure everything is cooked through safely.
Long Barn Tip: You’ll find different coloured chopping boards, a massive fridge, and a meat thermometer readily available in our kitchen. And the huge american fridge means that there is plenty of space to keep food chilled.
7. Consider Seating and Shade
Think about where everyone will sit and if there’s enough shade, especially on a sunny day. Garden furniture, picnic blankets, and even temporary gazebos can come in handy. Guest comfort significantly enhances their experience.
Long Barn Tip: Our south-facing garden offers plenty of sun, with the large oak table thoughtfully shaded at midday. There’s ample seating around the table (for 20+) along with plenty of movable teak tables and chairs.
8. Don’t Forget the Drinks and Ice
People get thirsty quickly! Have a good variety of drinks, including water, soft drinks, and alcoholic options. Crucially, stock up on plenty of ice. A large tub or cooler filled with ice is perfect for keeping all your beverages chilled.
Long Barn Tip: Alongside ice, we provide a large ice bucket and a tub specifically for cooling drinks. With two drinks fridges, you’ll have more than enough space to keep everything perfectly chilled. Consider ordering some of your drinks from local suppliers like Helmsley Wine (Mal will give Long Barn guests 10% discount and delivers free to the barn) or Helmsley Brewery.
9. Relax and Enjoy
You’ve put in all the hard work planning, so once your guests arrive, make sure to relax and enjoy your own party! Mingle, eat some delicious food, and soak up the good company. A relaxed host makes for relaxed, happy guests.
Long Barn Tip: Everyone naturally “mucks in” when you’re staying away in self-catering accommodation. There is no pressure on anyone person to host. And with two dishwashers, clearing up after your feast is a piece of cake.
10. The Ultimate BBQ Experience
For the ultimate hands-off experience, why not get someone in from our list of recommended caterers to run your BBQ for you? Sit back, relax, and let the professionals handle everything.
Wherever you hold your BBQ, we hope that it will be a great success.
And get in touch with us if you fancy a stay at the Long Barn; we think it’s the perfect space for your BBQ!
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