Planning Guide To Outdoor Cookouts

Despite the simplicity of outdoor cooking compared to cocktail parties and formal events, it still entails some preparation. To skip the planning stage is synonymous to holding a party that is a flop in all aspects. To get a rough idea of how you should plan and what you should prepare for an outdoor cookout, go over the following checklist.

• Determine the guests or whoever will be part of the outdoor cookout, their role and their contribution. Play safe by coming up with a range rather than with an exact number. Doing so will encourage you to come up with estimates that won't leave you underprepared and disappointed.

• Decide on the venue, its capacity and provisos for bad weather. While sometimes you want to play things by ear and go with the weather, at other times you want to set a schedule that is convenient for your guests and yourself. If you're aiming for a set date, don't let the inclement weather spoil your fun. Prepare your backyard for a cookout. Make sure you have easy access to running water, and enough tables and benches for your guests. If you plan to head to the camp grounds, get yourself a brochure first to assess the suitability of the venue to your needs. Then, make arrangements and pay any necessary reservation fees.

• Plan the menu, the ingredients and the equipment you need. Check the dietary preferences of everybody who will be joining the cookout. Make sure you will be preparing a varied fare that won't leave any one hungry or ill. Even if you're aiming for a simple meat lovers' cookout, don't take for granted the needs of your vegetarian guests. Do not forget about getting, if not renting, the right equipment as well. Test if it is fully functional days before your planned outdoor cookout.

• Prepare the salads and marinate any meats ahead. Thaw any unmarinated meats and fish that need to be cooked for the day. Doing so will save you valuable time from waiting to cook stuff, slicing things, mixing them or dumping the trash. However, if you wish to get everyone involved in the process, at least assign a few members to take care of the chopping, peeling, dressing or whatever needs to be done prior to the main cookout.

• Keep everything needed within reach, including the basic condiments and utensils. You do not want one or two members of your cookout session to race to the nearest shop because you forgot to bring salt and soil. If you're using a stove, remember the charcoal or gas refills you must take care of.

• Delegate cleaning rules for everyone to observe. These include the proper garbage disposal from start to finish. Do not waste valuable time by taking out garbage bags and doing the cleanup during the finale. Instead, designate disposal areas so that throughout the session, you will have taken care of the mess already and will greatly reduce your aftercare duties.

Enjoy your outdoor cookout!