A few weeks before
- Fix the date and the guest list
- Book the food and any hire (gazebos, tables, chairs)
- Ask guests about dietary needs
- Tell the neighbours
Food
Choose food that serves everyone at once and doesn’t keep you in the kitchen. A hog roast does exactly that, with lamb, chicken, vegetarian and vegan options for people who don’t eat pork, and salads and potatoes on the side.
Space
Plan where the hog roast will cook (level, open, away from the house and trees), where people will queue and where they’ll sit. Keep children away from the cooking area.
Shelter and weather
Have gazebos or a room indoors ready in case of rain. See a wet weather plan.
Lighting and toilets
If the party runs into the evening, string up lights. Think about toilet access for a big group.
On the day
- Clear the side passage so the caterer can get in
- Put out bins for rubbish
- Name someone to meet the caterer
Seating and shade
Not every guest wants to stand all afternoon. Put out enough chairs for older guests, and think about shade on a hot day as well as shelter if it rains.
Children
Set up a play area away from the cooking spot and the queue, and make sure an adult keeps an eye on it. Tell the caterer if many children are coming.
Clearing up
Put out plenty of clearly labelled bins for rubbish and recycling. Our staff clear the serving area, and good bins make the rest of the clear-up quicker.
The day before
- Mow the lawn and check the cooking spot is clear
- Put up gazebos if you’re using them
- Charge any outdoor lights
- Check the weather and your back-up plan
- Confirm arrival time with the caterer
Drinks
We focus on the food. Plan drinks separately, with plenty of water and soft drinks on a hot day.
Toilets and parking
For a bigger party, think about where guests will park and how many will need the toilet. Clear signs to the toilet and a spare loo roll or two make a difference.
Music and timings
If you’re having music, plan it around the food: background music while people eat, louder later. Tell the caterer when you’d like to serve so it doesn’t clash with a speech or the cake.
Pets
Dogs and roasting meat don’t mix. Keep pets away from the cooking area and the serving table, and make sure gates are closed once the caterer has set up.
Before you book a hog roast
Send us the date, your address, rough numbers, when you’d like to eat and a couple of photos: one of the cooking spot and one of the route from the road. We’ll confirm whether it works and send a quote.
Quick answers
How early should I book a hog roast for a garden party?
As soon as you have a date, especially for summer weekends.
Do I need a marquee?
Not for the cooking, but shelter for guests is wise.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.