There’s nothing South Africans love more than throwing meat on a fire. Hosting, on the other hand, is something that can always be improved. Making sure your guests are having the time of their lives and that the food is delicious can be tricky. The last thing you want is seeing your guests leaving early with all the food and your good effort thrown in the bin.
Follow these tips to take you 'from absent host to vibe master':
1. Define ‘Braai’
According to Megamaster, it’s important to establish what kind of braai it is from the start, are you having a 'Bring and Braai' or is it up to you, the host, to sort out the food. Another thing that should be made clear is whether or not side dishes are required from your guests.
Consider assigning one or two people to provide dessert and a salad if you do want to share responsibilities.
These are all the braai recipes you'll need.
2. Make sure you've got enough seating
Most of us don't have a ton of chairs in our outdoor areas or living rooms, but you don’t want guests to feel like they have to compete for a seat. Make sure you provide enough place for everyone. Large pillows or cushions are comfortable for seating, so don't discount those.
Spread a blanket and encourage your guests to take a load off.
3. Cosy up your house and make it feel homier
Nothing says you’re not ready for company louder than a dirty house. Clutter piled up on your kitchen counter, a filthy toilet and an old dirty hand towel scream that you didn’t care enough to prepare for your guests. Again, if your place is too clean, guests will be worried about messing things up. Make it feel homier and cosier at the same time - and don't forget to put some throw blankets around.
4. Keep an eye on the weather
Mzansi weather can be so unpredictable, so always keep attention to your guests behaviour. Do they look freezing or are they taking off their jackets? You can tell if you need to go in the house or open/close the window. And it might change throughout the party, so stay in your game.
It can't hurt to have a few throws on hand, just in case.
5. Issa mood
Music sets the tone for your braai and helps to put people in the mood to celebrate. Get the music going even before your guests arrive, that way the mood for the braai is set right off the bat. Place the speakers near where the action is happening and make sure you have an auxiliary cable ready so your guests can change the music as they see fit.
6. Stock a bar
Parties tend to end when drinks runs out. Inform your guests in time if you need them to bring their own drinks. Preparing a welcome drink is always a good idea, so prepare both a non-alcoholic and alcoholic option. If you planning to make and mix up your drinks, ask your guests to bring their own preferred ingredients if they would like to drink something specific or if they have allergy concerns.
7. Choose the perfect braai
Whether you love a full-on braai or to simply cook up some humble wors, you can choose from wood, kettle or gas braais. But how do you know which is the right braai for you?
Weigh up the pros and cons of each - Read | How to choose the perfect braai
8. Who is your braai party master?
We all know how it works - every braai has a braai master and it is this person who manages and controls the braai to ensure the perfect meal ends up on your plate.
Marketing Manager from Weber, Amy Whittam, says braaing is actually a science that involves proper braai assembly and set up, effective braai lighting skills and proper meat preparation. So it’s important that your braai master knows what he/she is doing.
SEE | 6 braai tips to make sure your Braai Day doesn’t bomb out
9. Safety tips
Bertus Visser, Chief Executive of Distribution at PSG Insure, says when you are braaing, be careful not to let oven gloves or aprons, food packaging or alcohol near the fire, or risk an unhappy accident spoiling your appetite.
Don’t let kids run around near the fire or breakables; avoiding accidents is always better. If you are heading outside and your garden is full of dead plants, clearing them away before you begin the braai makes way for better safety. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby too.
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