The Gala Tent Guide to a Summer Barbecue

National Barbecue Week is a celebration of all things barbecue, from the humble sausage and burger to the more adventurous smoked brisket, and of course the many new plant-based delights that vegans can enjoy. It's a time to get together with friends and family, fire up the grill, and enjoy some delicious food. 

This year, National Barbecue Week takes place from May 29th to June 4th. It’s highly likely that there will be events and activities taking place all over the country, both commercially and privately, so there's sure to be something for everyone.  

If you're looking for some inspiration for your barbecues, here are a few ideas: 

• Try something new. If you're used to grilling burgers and sausages, why not try something different? There are endless possibilities, like barbecue roasted salmon, grilled vegetables, or halloumi cheese. The week is a celebration of all things barbecue, so get adventurous! 

• Get creative with your marinades. Marinades add flavour and moisture to your food, and can transform the entire dish, so take some time to experiment with different flavours. Don’t be frightened of getting creative. One of the best burgers we have ever tasted was lathered in Biscoff spread. 

• Don't forget the sides. A barbecue isn't complete without sides, so make sure to have plenty of corn on the cob, potato salad, and coleslaw on hand. 

Here are some tips for hosting a successful barbecue: 

• Plan ahead. Make sure you have everything you need, from food and drinks to plates and utensils. Will you be catering for everybody or will they all be bringing something with them? Get a WhatsApp group together if you need to, so you can ensure everybody brings something different. Unless you’re a bit of a Tommy Sausages and only want sausages, make sure everybody is on the same page about who’s bringing what.  

• Choose the right location. If you're grilling outdoors, make sure the weather is cooperating, and if it’s not then don’t let it stop you. You can always cover your barbecue and your guests with a pop-up gazebo or a party tent. Just make sure there’s ample ventilation.  

• Think about the music. A barbecue should be accompanied by a party atmosphere, so ensure you’ve got some great playlists made on your streaming service of choice. What about seeing how many meat-themed songs you can sneak into the soundtrack of the day? See if anybody picks up on it! 

• Set up your grill properly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that your grill is set up correctly. 

• Preheat your charcoal to perfection. This will help ensure that your food cooks evenly. 

• Don't overcrowd the grill. This will prevent your food from cooking properly. A barbecue is usually a marathon, not a sprint, so just keep a nice flow of food on the grill to keep everybody fed throughout the day. 

• Turn your food frequently. This will help prevent it from burning. 

• Let your food rest before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavourful food. 

With a little planning and preparation, you can host a barbecue that everyone will enjoy. So get out there, fire up the grill, and celebrate National Barbecue Week. 

Using Pop-Up Gazebos for your Barbecue

Barbecues are a great way to get together with friends and family, but they can be ruined by bad weather. If it's raining or too hot, no one will want to stay outside. That's where a pop-up gazebo comes in. A pop-up gazebo is a portable shelter that can be set up quickly and easily. It provides a dry and shady place to cook and eat, so you can enjoy your barbecue no matter what the weather is like. 

Here are some tips for using a pop-up gazebo for a barbecue party: 

• Choose the right size gazebo. Make sure the gazebo is big enough to fit your grill, tables, and chairs. A 3m x 6m will be a great size to cover the barbie on one side, and have space for 10 or so guests.  

• Secure the gazebo with stakes or weights. This will help keep it in place if there’s a gust. It should be nice and warm in early June, but there’s no accounting for a gust of wind out of nowhere. By anchoring your tent well, you’ll not need to worry about it taking a trip into the next door neighbour’s garden 

• Add some decorations to the gazebo. This will make it more festive and inviting. 

• Think about heating and lighting. If your barbecue is going on long into the night then you’ll need to keep your guests warm and able to see each other when it drops dark and cool.  

The beauty of a pop-up gazebo is that it can be deployed and taken down very quickly, so you can focus on the important things like food preparation, seating and eating spots, and decoration.  

How a Marquee Will Help at a Barbecue

Barbecues are a great way to get together with friends and family, but they can be ruined by bad weather. If it's raining or too hot, no one will want to stay outside. That's where a marquee comes in. A marquee is a large, portable tent that can be set up quickly and easily. It provides a dry and shady place to cook and eat, so you can enjoy your barbecue no matter what the weather is like. 

Here are some of the benefits of using a marquee for a barbecue: 

• Protection from the elements: A marquee will protect you and your guests from the rain, sun, and wind. This is especially important if you're planning on grilling, as you don't want the food to get wet or too hot. 

• More space: A marquee gives you more space to cook, eat, and socialise. This is great if you're having a large barbecue or if you want to create a more relaxed atmosphere. 

• Fewer distractions: A marquee can help to block out distractions, such as traffic noise or other people. This can create a more peaceful and enjoyable environment for your guests. 

• Aesthetic appeal: A marquee can add a touch of elegance to your barbecue. It can also help to create a more festive atmosphere. 

If you're planning on having a barbecue, we highly recommend using a marquee. It's a great way to protect yourself and your guests from the elements, create more space, and add a touch of elegance to your event. 

A marquee is a perfect blank canvas of a space, so you can decorate it to almost any theme you can think of, and they are generally much bigger tents than pop-up gazebos, which typically go to a size of around 4m x 8m at their largest. A marquee, however, can come in sizes from as compact as 3m x 2m but go up to 9m x 30m and beyond, so no matter what size your available space, there’s a marquee to fill it and ensure your guests are covered, whatever the weather.  

Gala Tent is the UK’s leading retailer of pop-up gazebos, party tents and commercial marquees, selling upwards of 15,000 structures every year. We supply event and marquee hirers, festival organisers, market operators and government agencies with temporary structures that are always the last tents standing in adverse weather conditions. If you’re planning a summer of fun and barbecues, then we highly recommend that you contact our team of experts led by the very lovely Darren, on 01709 242454 and have a chat about your plans. They’ll work with you to ensure you get the perfect tent at the best price.