Ideas for a very large bbq

LauraAnn

Thanks so much for all of your replies. This site is wonderful...because of the people who support it as well as those who host it!

I think I am going to do sausages, burgers and perhaps veg and chicken on skewers. Tesco has a special on Cumberland sausages for 47p for 8 (6p each) so I have stocked up on those. I'll shop around for burgers and sauces etc and perhaps try a wholesaler as suggested. Rolls are cheap and I'll do some salads - green, potato, coleslaw and perhaps pasta. I also have a nice recipe for hot baked beans which should be cheap. I did look up details of a hog roast, but I think it will be cheaper to do sausages etc.

I have access to tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery so that is easy. And we are not serving alcohol so that keeps the costs of drinks down. I have decided to ask friends for help if offered...I will definitely need help with freezer and fridge space! And of course some extra bbqs. I baked a cake for my friend's daughter birthday this weekend in exchange for help at our party!

For dessert I think I will make a couple of wet choc cakes that I can serve with ice cream...and ice cream cones for the children.

I like the idea of a contibution bucket...but we handled it by asking people to donate to Great Ormond Street hospital (our favourite hospital out of the 4 he was in) instead of buying gifts. But perhaps we should have a bucket in case they are too lazy to donate directly themselves....

Thanks again for the suggestions...Now if anyone knows how to ensure good weather I would love to know! But what's life without a challenge hey!

Thanks again.
Laura

Seakay

Don't forget to let us know how it all goes - second best to going to a party is hearing all about it afterwards! Good luck on the big day, it sounds as though you've got all the organisation well in hand.

LauraAnn

Thanks ...I will do...still a while to go though...it is only on the 26th.

jodie114

i was wondering if the poster that mentioned the wholesalers would be able to name it? or give me a clue - those prices sound fantastic!
thanks
jodie

therealdocmartin

Probably the cheapest meat for a barabecue is chicken pieces. You can get 20 drumsticks for around 2.50 at Tesco (when I last looked). Marinate overnight using Nandos marinade. Chicken does take a long time to cook on the barabecue though so you could precook it a bit in the oven and then finish it off on the bbq.
LIDL make a fantastic large tub of potato salad (with creme fraiche or yoghurt) for under a pound. I always used to make my own until I discovered it. 2 - 3 will fill a large serving bowl and save you hours of boiling, peeling and slicing.
The idea of a separate pot of chilli is also a good one and one I've used before.

mineallmine

Lots of ideas already given here but a few more:

COLESLAW:
On the Jamie Oliver meal for £5 thread someone gave a recipe for coleslaw. Alternatively LIDL sell a fab coleslaw which usually has a long best before date.

JACKET POTATOES:
Someone above suggested doing these (fab idea). Once you done them in the oven, you can then wrap them in foil until needed.

CAKE:
Have you thought about having a photo of your child on a cake? Asda do this (think they still do) where if you take a photo they can put it onto an iced cake. Adds a nice personalised touch.

SAUGAGES:
Liven up cheaper priced sausages with a form of marinating. Add wholegrain mustard and honey to a tray of sausages, cook in the oven, then cover with foil to keep warm. This also works well with cocktail sausages.

Best of luck and have a great day.

LauraAnn

Well today was the big day!!! And what a wonderful day it was...the weather was amazing, the food went down well, and everyone seemed to have a good time. I am exhausted, but I guess that is to be expected. Perhaps this wasn't the right week to repaint my lounge, dining room, entrance way and stairs....especially as my baby hasn't been very well and not sleep well.

We catered for 50 adults and 30 children. For those interested the menu was as follows...

Sausages (47p for 8 from Tesco on half price a few weeks ago)
Chicken drumsticks (bought these frozen)
Homemade burgers
Pork belly stricks (cut into smaller pieces)

Rolls (ASDA £1.35 for 24)
Coleslaw
Rice salad (Thanks Mom)
Green salads (Friend and sister helped here)
New potatoes
Hot Baked Beans with cheese (A friend did this...wonderful)
Boiled eggs
Cold Pasta with a bottled sauce

Crisps (Mainly value tortillas and value ready salted, also some Sweet Chilli for variety)
Homemade dips

Drinks...a variety of low cost frizzy drinks! I refused to buy anything over 50p for 2L. Also some fruit juice, and some guests brought their own.
For dessert...Homemade cakes and ice cream (vlaue of course...lids removed and left in freezer)

We have loads left over...definitely overcatered on the cake, and as some was frozen before can't refreeze...oh dear what will we do with it?! Some of the meat left over I have frozen, some I gave away, and some is in the fridge. Too much green salad too. And far too many crisps....but these I have sealed into large bags for the boys to enjoy later.

On the whole I was proud of how I did money-wise. Although I did overcater, I did resist the temptation of going over board. There were no party bags, I ditched the idea of carrot cake in favour of cheaper sponge, I bought value products where I wouldn't normally, and I don't think anyone realised. That is what I love about Money Saving...it is not about not spending, just about spending wisely. Why give your money away to the supermarket giants?!

As far as the fund raising went..I did put out a tin. I did not raise much, but as I had not warned people I am pleased I got anything. I think some people donated directly as we had asked people to donate instead of bringing gifts. I did purchase a photo book from Snapfish showing the progress of my baby's first year...which I had on view. Bonus was that I saved 33% by chance on this purchase. I was ready to order having loaded photos over a few days and then saw they had a 2 day 33% birthday sale!

Anyway this has been a long post..I really just wanted to say thanks for all the advice and ideas. It really did go well.

Laura

Maxjessdru

sounds like you had a great time - couldn't have done better with the weather!

Jodie114 - I don't think I'm allowed to give out the name of the company on this board but we are based in Basildon, Essex. If you are nearby and would like the details please pm me.

OddjobKIA

you dont say where you are...but try Bookers or Castell Howell they will do meat at a good price

harvestmoon

Good morning.
I've just been sent over here from the 'special occasions and celebrations' forum who tell me that there are lots of lists for party food ( bbq) ideas on this forum.
BBQ - July - roughly 35 guests - daughter's 21st - old and young - all meat eaters - can anyone point me in the right direction, please.
Many thanks in anticipation.