Hosting at the BBQ is an art.
It's something that can take some time to master, but what's for sure is that everyone always has fun, every time. And by everyone, I mean both the host and the guests. And... in the WORST case, well, you have great steaks. 😜
In short, whether it's the holiday season, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Father's Day or any other occasion, hosting a BBQ is always a winner. (I'll take this opportunity to remind you that BBQ is a 365-day event! 😉)
SO…
What's so special about hosting with BBQ?
In my opinion, it has a more "friendly" approach. Everyone is happy, everyone likes the BBQ, it smells good when people arrive... It's both more "wild", because it's out of the ordinary, but it's also more relaxed because we take it easy. BBQ is not supposed to be stressful; we cook quietly.
What's also good is that even if we try something new and our piece of pork is overcooked, for example, well... it's salvageable. We put a little more sauce, we lower the temperature of the grill, and we're okay. Entertaining at the BBQ is a way to make sure we always eat something good. 😉
How do you introduce a “BBQ event” to someone who has never had one?
If someone has never eaten something cooked on a BBQ, it's not complicated, you just have to tell them that they are going to taste the best thing they have ever tasted! 😜 BBQ is a different way of cooking, which is very friendly and that everyone likes. Cooking on the BBQ awakens all the senses.
It comes to get our sense of smell through the smell of cooking meat, wood, summer air… (I could name 17 things we smell when we BBQ!)
Afterwards, as for the vision, well we see a beautiful BBQ that “shines” with the outside light, a superb piece of meat cooking, a “background” of forest or lake, a bunch of people smiling around the grill…
In terms of touch, you can feel the heat, you can feel the meat, etc.
Then, hearing is the crackling of the flames, the searing of the meats, the sound of the little bubbles forming on the meats or other things.
And finally, snack time is simply an emotional moment. Food cooked on the grill is the best thing you can eat in the world.
All the senses are multiplied by 20,000 when you cook near a BBQ! 🥰
BBQ food is simple and effective. Plus, it's done outside, so there are no smells lingering in the house. 😉
If, on the contrary, the person has already tasted BBQ food, but has never been invited to a "potluck BBQ", where he has to bring part of the meal, then it's different. The advice I can tell you to give him is not to bring things that are too complicated and to position yourself according to what the others bring. Knowing the theme is a "must", because it's really difficult to cook a meal for everyone when no one has planned the cost and the things don't "fit" together. It's like everyone bringing a steak, and one person brings "brisket"; it changes the cooking time quite a bit. Or else... let's say people arrive with lamb, shrimp, raw vegetables, and large cuts of meat, it's hard to organize a coherent menu.
Also, personally, I think that when you are invited to a meal, it is always a good idea to bring a hostess gift. It pleases the host, especially if he sees that the person has thought of his business. When someone takes the time to cook something special, I think it is important to give them something that you have done research for. But hey, that is personal to each person.
Me, how do I receive during a BBQ meal?
Generally, I like to keep it simple. I like to do “stations.” I put food out all over the table for people to build their own burgers, for example. That way, people are happy and they are involved in the process. It also saves me from having to make 46 of them myself and allows me to “enjoy” my event more.
The way I receive my family from my friends is not really different. I do it in an equally "fancy" way in both cases; I always try to receive well. 😊
What are some original ways to host a BBQ?
Among the "musts" of the BBQ lifestyle for me, there are exchanges and sharing. You don't want to have the same person hosting the same menu all the time because that's the only thing they know, no. What you can do to avoid this is to organize a "BBQ competition".
For example, you have a competition of who brings the best steak. So if your guy friend is always "bragging" about his favorite butcher, well, time will prove to you that that's where they are, the "best steaks in the world"! 😏 Everyone will bring their best steak too, so that will avoid the "I didn't find anything so... I got this." and you having to put a steak bought on special at the grocery store with pepper all around it on the barbecue. 😂
You can even already define who brings what. Someone can bring a wagyu steak, another a Canadian steak, another an American steak, and finally a grass-fed steak. You all know you're going to eat something good, but you're going to have to prepare it in a way that will surprise everyone. It keeps things fun and super interesting. It's like... a BBQ potluck version of "steak night"! 😎
Otherwise, on another note, if you have a plancha/brasero style BBQ, you can really exploit the social aspect of the BBQ by making a raclette. Sunterra BBQs in the “fire table” style , in particular, are perfect for this. Everyone sits around the BBQ, cooks their food directly in front of them, then enjoys their meal on the little “tablet” all around the grill. It’s really cool and increasingly trendy. (In Europe they even make “grill huts”, it’s crazy! There’s a BBQ like that in the center of the hut, with a hood above, and people eat there. 😳 Incredible!)
Another way to make raclette is to use a salt board. It works really well. You heat it on the BBQ or in the oven, then put it in the center of the table, on your raclette machine, and let people use it to cook their food. It stays hot for a long time; the heat transmission is very good.
Otherwise, if you want to go more "I'll put a plate of stock on my island and let people help themselves while they wait for the meal" style, offering smoked salmon is a good option. You can smoke it in advance and serve it in small "blocks" or "slices". Otherwise, seared steak and made into tartare, or Rockefeller-style oysters with mignonettes, works really well.
The best BBQs for entertaining a lot of people?
The first thing that comes to mind is charcoal BBQs . They create a buzz outside, and always give a good result. You can take the lid off and watch the food cook. Everyone gathers around the BBQ and it really creates a "social grill" effect.
After that, a bit like I said earlier, the Sunterra "tables" are really the "bests". The Argentinian grills have less of the social side of the latter, but they are still very hot. Imagine, you arrive at a party and you see an Argentinian grill with a lot of food on fire on it. You are like "Oh shiiiiit. 😎" It's cool because you can have a lot of fun with a BBQ like that. It's not complicated, you can make art! You can hang meat, then have something smoking underneath at the same time as other foods cook slowly and grill. It gives a mean beautiful "show". 👌
If you often have a lot of people over, it's sure that a bigger BBQ is also preferable. For example, a 26” instead of a 22”, or even an XXL Smoker will make your job a lot easier. I know that we organize ourselves with what we have, but as for me, a 22” BBQ is more of a family BBQ. If you have to add a lot of stock on it, it will become more complicated.
There are some who have 2 BBQs though. If you have a gas BBQ and a charcoal BBQ, one tip I can give you is to sear the food on your charcoal grill, then use your gas BBQ as a "warming area" or to do some cooking. The flavor of the wood, the smoke, etc., it penetrates the food at the beginning of cooking, so I really recommend cooking them on your charcoal grill to start, then transfer them to your gas machine afterwards to keep them warm. It works great and no one will realize that there was a gas BBQ in the equation. 😎
Accessories to have for the event
What is really essential, I would say, is a good, sharp knife to cut the meat. When you are entertaining, you don't want to rack your brains to make 25 burgers (having done it often, I can tell you that it is not the most enjoyable thing, let's say 😩), so it is better to prepare a large piece of meat and cut it before serving (do it, it will save you from washing up! 😝). With a good cutting board and a great knife, you will be "in business" and it will go well.
Also, giving your BBQ a good cleaning before cooking on it is a must. If the bottom of your appliance is dirty, there may be flare-ups later, and if the ashes of your charcoal BBQ, for example, are not emptied, you may have trouble controlling the temperature and not have a super good air supply. Also make sure you have enough fuel; it would be a shame to run out of gas when you have to prepare food for a whole gang.
The menu
When you are ready to send out your invitations, all you have to do is decide what you are going to cook. Here is an idea for a 4-course menu that you can make:
The bites
Cheese-stuffed meatballs are always a good idea. You grill them up and serve them with a little sauce and that's it. It's easy to make, effective, and doesn't require much manipulation. You put a toothpick in each meatball when you're ready to serve and POOF!, they come right out!
(By the way, you can even make these way ahead of time and freeze them, so they're a great option to have on hand.)
The entrance
Salmon; I might not have said this 10 years ago, but now everyone loves it. You cook it on the salt board, slice it (with a slightly "scrap" knife so as not to damage your best knife!) directly on the salt board into small pieces and serve it as is in the center of the table while it is still hot or, in small presentation trays. In both cases, the end result is great.
The main course
Turkey drumsticks are always good (they're actually… the equivalent of a full meal!). They can be sexy too. If you cook them slowly, hanging on the “rod” of a brazier or an Argentinian grill, mmmm ! 😏
You can even cook meatballs, asparagus, potatoes or other items on the grill below. It really goes “wow!”
Otherwise, if you are less experienced at BBQ and don't want to rack your brains, a not-so-tartare beef tartare is really fun to make and serve. You can make it in advance and if there is some left later and your guests are hungry at 9 p.m., as long as it is fresh, they can have some more. 😉
The dessert
Grilled fruits with Gâteau seasoning are always good; no matter the fruit. You can make your mix according to what is in season: pineapples, apples… whatever you want!
If you want something more "fancy", you can also take a banana, make a slit in it, then add chocolate, marshmallows, etc. in the opening before cooking it on the BBQ. It works really well and is excellent. (I invite you to make the bananacoureurdesboisoreo recipe if you are interested in the concept. 😉)
In short, I think what’s really interesting is to develop a menu that allows you to enjoy your event too. (I know you love your BBQ, but clearly, you want to spend time with your guests if you invited them to your place, so… keep it simple and effective. 😉) In the end, the important thing is that everyone is happy, including you. 😁
Happy BBQ!