How To Host The Perfect BB-Thank-Q

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On Sunday 4 July the country is coming together for the first ever Thank You Day, to give thanks to everyone - from family members to key workers, good neighbours to volunteers - for getting us through the pandemic over the last year and a half, and remembering what binds us together, not what pushes us apart. 

To do something special, NCS and Scouts are coming together with Levi Roots to encourage everyone up and down the UK to take part in a BB-Thank-Q! 

Here’s everything you need to know about hosting your own BB-Thank-Q and some recipes to inspire you…

First up, prep your grill

Are you using a barbecue that your parents, friends or family already own? Or are you buying a disposable one? Figure out what you’re using, and what you’ll need for it. If it’s a coal barbecue, do you have enough bricks? If it’s gas, do you have a full canister? And if it’s disposable, do you have a secure spot to place it? If you’re doing it in a public space, make sure to check your local council’s rules and regulations on whether you can or not. Some councils allow barbecues in parks, but some prohibit it. And don’t forget to make sure you’ve got enough grill space, or even separate grills, for meat and vegetables/vegetarian/vegan food - you don’t want any cross contamination.

Next, it’s grub time

There’s no barbecue without food, so, what are you going to make? Check out some of the recipes below from Levi Roots to get you going and then add some more into the mix. Make sure you take note of any dietary requirements of the people coming and make sure you cater to them. If you want to take some of the pressure off yourself, you could always ask everyone who’s coming to bring a small side dish - that way there will be loads of different food for everyone! And don’t forget drinks. Pop them in the fridge, or fill a bucket with ice water outside and put them in there.

Then, set the scene

Make sure your outdoor space is ready for people! Wipe down any tables so they’re clean and suitable to have food on, and make sure you’ve got enough chairs, cushions, picnic blankets or places for people to sit if and when they want to. If you want to go the extra mile, why not think about things like fairy lights, bunting or other decorations to make the space a little more fun. And if you want music, find a safe space for some speakers - away from food and drinks. Check you’ve got all your grilling equipment, like tongs, ready, and enough to use on different foods - one set for any meat and a separate one for veg.

Finally, fire it up!

Once you have everything prepped, it’s time to get the barbecue started. Ask an adult to help you with lighting, or make sure there’s someone nearby if you need them. Once the barbecue meets the correct temp (about 160C to cook meat properly), then you can start grilling. If you’re using a disposable barbecue, remove the outer packaging, light the corner of the starter sheet and leave it to burn for about 15 minutes. When all the charcoal turns grey, it’s ready to go. While you’re waiting for your grill to heat, it’s a good idea to make a list of cooking times and work around that. Then it’s simply time to cook, eat, and enjoy!

Important things to remember

Remember to follow all government guidelines when it comes to the amount of people who attend your barbecue.

If you’re cooking meat, make sure it is cooked thoroughly before serving it, you don’t want to give people food poisoning!

Never place a barbecue near anything flammable.

When you’ve finished barbecuing, don’t move it until it’s completely cooled down. If you’re using a disposable barbecue, tip water or sand over it once you’ve finished.

Don’t forget to tidy up after yourself if you’re in a public space - pick up all your litter and put it in the correct bins.

Never use a barbeque indoors or inside a tent, the carbon monoxide they produce can be fatal.

Recipes to inspire you

Here are a few recipes from Levi Roots that’ll go down a treat…

Good luck with your BB-Thank-Q and don’t forget to take pics and tag us on Insta @NCS!