Tom Wolfe, Calor barbecue food consultant and owner of celebrity catering firm Blue Food Produktions, provides tips for successful barbecue parties:
 The barbecue is becoming a popular way to host a party all year round, from an impromptu summer gathering to a bonfire night feast. The days of a few humble bangers and burgers are long gone, and we are getting a lot more sophisticated, thanks to developments in the gas barbecue and patio heater market offering greater convenience and some nifty features to help create a gourmet feast.
Putting a bit more effort into your barbecue by working to a theme can be a really fun way to break away from the usual types of food and try something different. Calor barbecue food consultant Tom Wolfe, who has catered at parties for celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Boy George, shares some of his tips and experience.
Getting Started
Surprising your guests with something unexpected can make your party truly memorable. Choosing a theme is a good starting point and, with the latest developments in gas barbecues and patio heaters extending our time outdoors, we are no longer limited to the summer for alfresco entertaining, so try looking to red-letter days for inspiration. With days such as American Independence Day, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, whatever, virtually every day is a red-letter day somewhere and it can be a great excuse for a celebration.
If you want to recreate the food of your favourite country or cuisine, visit a local specialist shop for help. You’ll be amazed by how many there are in your area and how happy the staff are to share their knowledge. Or if you want to follow the latest food trends, a hot choice right now is the Australian ‘fusion’ style of cooking, where many different culinary styles are combined, from West Indian to Latin influences.
Do some research – the best place to look first of all is the Barbecue Online recipe library and of course our great bbq tips section. Also, why not try local libraries which all have a good selection of cookery books for inspiration, and the internet has a wealth of foodie websites. You can find many barbecue and food enthusiasts more than willing to share information.
However, if you are a barbecue novice consider starting off small. Choose the ingredients that you like and simply find a different way to cook them. For example, if you want a Mexican theme put chili, guacamole or refried beans and fajitas on the table to accompany simple chicken kebabs. This allows people to be as experimental as they like without you having to work hard on creating authentic dishes on the barbecue. All these ingredients are also available pre prepared from supermarkets to make it even easier.
Other simple way of getting the right result but with minimal effort is to get your guests involved – ask them to wear appropriate clothes and bring a corresponding dish or dessert.
 First Impressions
Think about the ambience you are trying to create but remember that less is more, not everything has to match. Little touches like flowers, fruit, tablecloths and napkins along with a little music and lighting will do more than you think. Calor has a range of garden lighting available on its website – check it out for ideas at
www.barbecue-online.co.uk.
Drinks
Never underestimate the power of drink when entertaining! We all know that alcohol can make a party go with a swing, but there are a whole host of cocktails and punches, which can be made with or without alcohol and can add to your theme. For example if you are having a Caribbean theme, make a fruit cocktail by combining mango, crushed ice and banana in a blender – those wanting a bit more of a kick can add a dash of rum.
Canapés
Canapés are a sophisticated touch and are ideal served at a barbecue with cocktails. Go for finger food that can be eaten in one or two bites without ruining your clothes - the aim being you can still keep a drink in one hand! Or you could choose to do something more substantial as a starter or go mezze-style – the more courses or different things you serve the more your theme will be reinforced and guests will be impressed.
Canapé skewers are a simple yet impressive barbecue starter and can be prepared in advance. Choose small items such as scallops, mussels, chicken livers or mushrooms or chop up sausages, chicken or a cheese such as Halloumi and place one or two pieces on small skewers (soak skewers in water first to avoid burning). Place on the barbecue until cooked and serve with dipping sauces.
If you want to marinade the canapé skewers beforehand, choose one that matches your desired theme. A quick way to create a barbecue marinade is to blend simple, quality ingredients together. An easy Italian marinade is fresh basil, olive oil and garlic. For Indian flavours go with coriander, oil and cumin, or combine chili, lime leaves and lemon grass to make a simple Thai marinade.
Finishing Touches
 A trick of the trade is to present the food on a large serving plate with a garnish. This allows the guests to see an attractive spread - don’t just throw some cress on the side, unless you're having a kitsch theme! Where appropriate offer salads and side dishes, these allow choice and create ambience. They don’t all have to be authentic, just do your usual salad and add anything that could conceivably go with a theme.
Different breads will add authenticity and virtually every culture has specific varieties e.g. Moroccan flat bread, Italian foccacia or ciabatta, and Indian Naan.
And an obvious, final tip – always have a good gas barbecue to hand and don’t forget to check you’ve got enough Calor Patio Gas™. Gas barbecues provide greater cooking control so you are less likely to end up with a charred mess, and allow even the most inexperienced of chefs to try something more adventurous. A wide range of gas barbecues, suitable for all tastes and budgets are available from www.barbecue-online.co.uk.
Other articles from July 2003 newsletter:
July 2003 Newsletter
Barbecue Etiquette: How to be the Perfect Host
Tom Wolfe's Barbecue Tips
BBQ Special Offers
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