Summer is almost here and that means barbecue. Family, friends, and neighbors gather in someone’s backyard, at a park, or at the beach, to enjoy each other’s company over some of the best Southern barbecue around. Of course, cooking barbecue is a slow, slow process that can leave behind a disaster of a staggering scale.
Instead of spending your hot summer day slaving away on a grill while everyone else is having fun, you can join them and still have the best barbecue in town using barbecue vendors to feed your clan. No mess, no hassle, and no cleanup to worry about means you’ll have the chance to kick back, visit, and watch the kids play while your caterers cook, serve, and clean up after a good cookout.
Planning your event
As with any event, the first step is to decide who you are going to invite. The number of guests will help you determine how much food and drink you will need to have on hand. It will also help you clarify your order with your barbecue suppliers. Most reputable caterers will be happy to provide you with all napkins, wipes, paper products, and beverages. Your day will run smoother if you make sure to clear these details up front with your barbecue vendors.
Who you invite will also help you select your menu items. With today’s health conscious diets, some may believe that there is no place for barbecue, but nothing could be further from the truth. Barbecue is simply a style of cooking and can include just about any menu item you can imagine. While you can host a traditional cookout, complete with potato salad, pulled pork, and beef brisket, you can also cater to lighter diets with vegetable platters, green salads, and fresh fruit platters. You can even create a wonderful barbecue party for children, instead of the traditional birthday parties with variety of cakes and ice creams.
BBQ caterers
Word of mouth is the best advertising there is, but you can find many reputable barbecue vendors online. Searching online also allows you to compare menu options, prices, and other offers without leaving the comfort of home. You will also be able to determine if your caterers offer full service catering, pickup or delivery to the venue. You may not feel like cooking everything, but you can save money by serving the food yourself.
Once you’ve identified the barbecue vendors you want to use, there are several menu decisions you need to make. Appetizers, sides, meats, drinks, and desserts come in a variety of guises, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Here are the most popular items available for BBQ catering:
• Appetizer platters: vegetables and dressings, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, chicken wings, chicken tenders
• Sides: Corn on the cob, macaroni salad, green salad, BBQ beans, coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread and butter
• Meats: St. Louis Cut Ribs, Baby Ribs, Pulled Pork, Sliced Pork, Shredded Brisket, Sliced Beef, Chicken, Smoked Turkey
• Drinks: lemonade, iced tea, soft drinks
• Desserts: fruitcake, banana pudding, brownies
You can easily select menu items that best suit your party style and your guests’ tastes from local BBQ vendors. Instead of working all day and missing out on all the fun, BBQ catering gives you all the delicious food you could ask for, all while you sit down with family and friends and enjoy your day.