It's getting to be that time of year again, what with the sun starting to peep out from behind the clouds, people dusting off their BBQ's and the deck chairs and parasols being dragged back out of the shed. Yes that's right, the Barbecuing and outdoor entertaining season is soon upon us! So why not check out this guide to all things BBQ.
Tableware
Just because they're plastic doesn't mean that they can't be beautiful! That's right, we're talking plastic plates, bowls, cups and wine glasses. Practical, safe and can be an asset to your garden entertaining event. Habitat has some great ranges available. Our favourites are the Peake and Utopia bowls and plates and the Lau and Emiko lacquered bamboo serving bowls, ideal for salads!
Next also has some great outdoor dining sets, with bright colours and funky floral patterns. They also have a beautiful black floral melamine range of tableware and some chunky dark wooden salad bowls. If the occasion needs more than coloured melamine, then check out Posh Plastics whose motto is "Show your class when you don't use glass" who make 'unbreakable' plastic dinnerware, so unbreakable that even Richard Hammond (the 'hamster') can't break it with a pneumatic drill!! Check out their website for details and the entertaining proof!
Visit websites: Habitat; Next; Posh Plastics
Recipes
Sainsbury's online has a great recipe section allowing you to type in a word to search for recipe ideas. Type in "Barbecue" and you are presented with a list of sumptuous and fresh sounding recipes involving tuna, olives, tandoori and other delicious ideas. They also have some fantastic sounding suggestions for kebabs including monkfish, seafood, Mediterranean and spicy sausage! It's making us hungry!
The BBC have a great >food section and with it comes a great recipe bank, often the 'Quick recipe links' down the side of the page produce the best ideas, with categories including: pulses & Soya and rice & grains, you can find some fab ideas for feeding your family and guests.
Delia online has a vast amount of inspirational recipes, but one section that caught our eye was 'Salads with a twist', especially Delia's 'Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad with Harissa-style Dressing', 'Char-grilled Aubergine and Roasted Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese' and her 'Broad Bean Salad with Pancetta and Sherry Vinegar', Wow, really hungry now!
Visit websites: Sainsbury's; BBC; Delia online
Lawn sports
There's nothing better than when the sun is out, the food is all ready to go on the BBQ and the kids are happily entertained with some activity in the garden. Well actually lawn activities can be great fun for all the family and are the perfect ingredient for a successful garden party. Keep your eyes peeled for overly competitive friends though!
The Garden Game Company sell all sorts of outdoors game sets including Croquet, Croqkick (which is like croquet only with larger hoops and a football!) Giant games including Jenga, connect four, chess and even Snakes & Ladders. They also sell Boule, skittles and even Lawn darts! Crazy stuff, but all very fun and entertaining!
Another company that stocks outdoor games is B&Q, they have a large range of play equipment including: table tennis; swing balls; paddling pools; basket ball and trampolines.
Visit websites: The Garden Game Company; B&Q
Accessories
There are all sorts of utensils and essentials you'll need for garden entertaining, but luckily there are plenty of gorgeous items out there. Habitat have some lovely serving utensils, their 'Acca' salad servers made from Acacia wood and in their 'Peake' range they have a colourful melamine set too; both are extremely stylish.
Wilkinsons, which is a favourite amongst some of our HelpHounders, sell lots of Barbecue accessories including bamboo skewers, a barbecue essential, 3 piece utensil sets with prices ranging from £1 to £5 and cleaning sets for £1! What bargains!
Homebase also sell a large range of BBQ accessories including quick-lighting fuels and an Antony Worrall Thompson Mitt and Apron Set for the chef, and if you really want to impress your friends they also sell some amazing outdoor kitchen preparation units that even have sinks! Now that is flashy!
Visit websites: Habitat; Wilkinsons; Homebase
Setting the Scene
Now, a garden party isn't just about the food, the games or the chef's apron, no, we at HelpHound believe that it's the little touches that make all the difference! Things like outdoor lighting and candles really set the scene, especially in the evening, and of course they also have a practical use. Citronella candles are the perfect tool to keep those pesky little mossies at bay and are available in most DIY stores. Wilkinsons sell some lovely coloured electrical globe lights for £10.
Although their website doesn't show them, The Range sell great garden candles and lights at very reasonable prices. Also to set the scene, why not look into getting some colourful table decorations. Next sell a lovely range called 'bright corded'. These are stripy table runners and place mats that add that splash of colour to your table. They also sell some stunning lights, including ornate paper lanterns with a Japanese style print and a set of delicate blossom lights. If it's shade you're looking for then Habitat have some great parasols. 'Bamboo' would look great in any garden with its fresh olive green canopy and bamboo pole for £39, so why not see if it takes your fancy.
Visit website: Wilkinsons; The Range; Next; Habitat
Last Minute
So, you've got about an hour before your friends/family arrive for a barbecue and some outdoor entertainment and you find yourself at a loose end. Well, why not do that last little bit of tidying up around the garden; pick up those grass cuttings and chuck the few stranded toys back in the shed, those that aren't going to be used of course! Dot around your citronella candles and hang your lanterns to add those pretty little details. For that finishing touch why not have some background music, it can really help set the mood of a gathering, you may even be in possession of those crafty little 'stone-speakers'!
Now you hopefully have all the information to help you or maybe even inspire you to have a fun garden gathering and BBQ. All that's left to say is have fun and let HelpHound know where you got those essential entertaining items from and inspire your fellow HelpHounders to do the same! Happy Barbecuing!
