Blog
Because it's our passion, here are some thoughts on events, facilities, service providers, and stuff in general. If you have seen any really great events or want to tell us about anything to do with food, gigs, decs, performers then here's your opportunity....
Make your own event a success
posted in February - 02-17-2010, 13:46
Lots of people don't realise that event management principles apply to even the simplest things: like a BBQ at home. Here are a few tips to make your next bbq stress free and successful.
1. Believe it or not design the menu first. Once you have created a simple menu plan in your head then you can decide on the start time and ask your guests when inviting them if there is anything on the menu they might not like or be allergic to.
BBQ menus are endless. Make yours special by doing something simple but well. Try serving it on great disposable plates or interesting platters. Kids meals look fantastic in cardboard food service boxes with a collection of fruit, oven baked chips and a simple hamburger with guacamole. How about an adults hamburgers dripping with a delicious roasted garlic aioli or why not try a chicken tandoori skewer on flavoured rice. Desserts can be just as varied but imagine the fun of an icecream cones with different toppings such as smarties for kids and a cherry flavoured chocolate topping for adults.
2. Check with your guests if they will be bringing children. And don't forget to reconfirm your numbers, a couple of days out.
3. Firm up the menu, if necessary including a child friendly option. Generally it's a good idea to serve childrens food around 11.30 for a lunch bbq and 5.30 for dinner. This means you can have this out of the way to serve adults lunch between 12.30 and 1.00pm or dinner from 6.30 on.
4. Sit down, close your eyes and walk through your bbq from start to finish, imagining how people will arrive, how you will look after their needs, cooking your meal, what you will serve it on, what your home will look like to them, what children will do whilst in your house, even what you will be wearing. This will enable you to:
5. Write a few of lists of:
a. maintenance work that needs to be done around your home
b. cleaning that you need to do before the event
c. equipment you will need to look after your guests and serve them a meal
d. food items you will need to order or purchase
Lists might seem a touch formal but it's easy to tick things off a list when something is done, take a list shopping, or stick it on the fridge as a reminder.
6. Prepare:
a. your home ensuring your entrance, lounge bathroom, kitchen, fridge are clean and tidy
b. your food so that the minimum amount of work needs to be done on the day ( don't forget to
check the gas....)
c. music - have it playing at a moderate level and if available put an ipod or cd player on shuffle
so you don't have to worry about it
7. Have plenty of glasses available and clean either real or plastic, some straws for children and a texta to write their names on their cups. Have a couple of tubs close to your guests or bbq area filled with ice ready to go with soft drinks and juices , one with drinks for adults or for putting guests wine / beer into. Warm beer and wine will generally take 45 minutes to chill down, so do this in advance.
8. enjoy! all the planning will pay off.
posted in February - 02-17-2010, 13:46
Lots of people don't realise that event management principles apply to even the simplest things: like a BBQ at home. Here are a few tips to make your next bbq stress free and successful.
1. Believe it or not design the menu first. Once you have created a simple menu plan in your head then you can decide on the start time and ask your guests when inviting them if there is anything on the menu they might not like or be allergic to.
BBQ menus are endless. Make yours special by doing something simple but well. Try serving it on great disposable plates or interesting platters. Kids meals look fantastic in cardboard food service boxes with a collection of fruit, oven baked chips and a simple hamburger with guacamole. How about an adults hamburgers dripping with a delicious roasted garlic aioli or why not try a chicken tandoori skewer on flavoured rice. Desserts can be just as varied but imagine the fun of an icecream cones with different toppings such as smarties for kids and a cherry flavoured chocolate topping for adults.
2. Check with your guests if they will be bringing children. And don't forget to reconfirm your numbers, a couple of days out.
3. Firm up the menu, if necessary including a child friendly option. Generally it's a good idea to serve childrens food around 11.30 for a lunch bbq and 5.30 for dinner. This means you can have this out of the way to serve adults lunch between 12.30 and 1.00pm or dinner from 6.30 on.
4. Sit down, close your eyes and walk through your bbq from start to finish, imagining how people will arrive, how you will look after their needs, cooking your meal, what you will serve it on, what your home will look like to them, what children will do whilst in your house, even what you will be wearing. This will enable you to:
5. Write a few of lists of:
a. maintenance work that needs to be done around your home
b. cleaning that you need to do before the event
c. equipment you will need to look after your guests and serve them a meal
d. food items you will need to order or purchase
Lists might seem a touch formal but it's easy to tick things off a list when something is done, take a list shopping, or stick it on the fridge as a reminder.
6. Prepare:
a. your home ensuring your entrance, lounge bathroom, kitchen, fridge are clean and tidy
b. your food so that the minimum amount of work needs to be done on the day ( don't forget to
check the gas....)
c. music - have it playing at a moderate level and if available put an ipod or cd player on shuffle
so you don't have to worry about it
7. Have plenty of glasses available and clean either real or plastic, some straws for children and a texta to write their names on their cups. Have a couple of tubs close to your guests or bbq area filled with ice ready to go with soft drinks and juices , one with drinks for adults or for putting guests wine / beer into. Warm beer and wine will generally take 45 minutes to chill down, so do this in advance.
8. enjoy! all the planning will pay off.