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Summer is coming and many will be looking to fire up the grill. Most people dream of having a perfect barbecue that their friends, neighbors and family talk about for ages, but few know how to create such an event. In order for you to make thing memorable, you need to have a plan so that by the end of the day people are applauding your perfect barbecue. Here is that plan.

Get Your Grill in Top Shape

The key preparation item for the perfect barbecue is to properly prepare your grill. To ensure the best taste for the meats you cook, be sure your grill is clean of any food particles and rust. So scrub it until it shines and has no residual smells. This is really important because delicate meats like grass fed lamb, can easily pick up the tastes from a dirty grill. So you want it clean to enjoy the lamb’s amazing flavours. Then apply a coat of cooking oil to get it ready for grilling. If you’re cooking on a charcoal grill, using wood chips is a simple trick to add extra flavor to your meat and veggies.

Set a Killer Menu

Set out your guest list and when you know how many will attend and what types of foods they prefer, you can make your food list. Remember, the menu is the main attraction at a barbecue so make sure your food rocks. This starts by contacting your organic butcher and ordering a range of meats that will satisfy all of your guests. Keep things simple for the most part with the staples of hamburgers, beef ribs, and chicken thighs and drumsticks. Think out your marinades because some will require giving the meat an overnight soak. Match your meat up local or exotic vegetables from a farmer’s market. Look for vegetables with interesting colors and tastes in addition to staples like corn and potatoes.

Now that you have the staples covered throw in some gourmet selections that will appeal to the more discerning guests. How about some a beef brisket or steaks made with aged beef. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope and serve them things they might not expect from your backyard barbecue. In the end it will have everyone talking.

The Side Salads Complete the Menu

What completes every barbecue meal is a range of side salads to accompany what you grill. There are variations on the traditional green, potato and macaroni salads and cole slaw recipes to make them special. How about adding grilled chicken to your potato or macaroni salads, or instead of the standard lettuce options in your green salad, choose arugula, endive, micro-greens, or shredded purple cabbage. A little bit of minced basil, sage, thyme, or your favorite fresh herb can add a new dimension to your salads. Also look at tofu, tempe and dried fruits as options. The goal is to bring more complex tastes to the traditional fare, so again be creative.

Keep the Drinks Coming

The second most important thing to have at your perfect barbecue is a variety of drinks for all of your guests. Yes, you need to have plenty of beer and wine and soda, but also you need to create some special cocktails for the occasion. Since there will be a crowd, look to make drinks that you can provide in large quantities rather than individual servings. Break out the pitchers and make a few summer punches with different alcohols as the base. Make one each for rum, vodka and gin and add fresh fruit and lots of ice. Expect they will be very popular so keep extra amounts prepared and ready to serve quickly.

Pick the Right Music

The summer has its own vibe and it needs to be reflected in your music selection. Set up a continuous playlist of all the great summer songs from the generation of your guests. If all ages are attending, mix things up but be careful about music that has profanity or off-colour topics. You should intermingle styles and genres as long as the music makes people smile and dance.

Plan Some Activities

Everyone loves to have fun in the summertime so your guests will be delighted that you’ve set up games for them. Think croquet, horseshoes, corn hole, bocce ball, or badminton in the backyard. You can also have friendly card games for those who like a little competition (but no poker or gambling).

There you have it. The recipe for the perfect barbecue. Enjoy!

Monaco is uniquely located to enjoy some of the finest wines on the French Riviera and beyond. Its proximity to the Italian border and fantastic links by road, air and sea also ensure that those who reside in the Principality get the best selection of imported wines too. Monaco’s luxury real estate market has always attracted foreigners with its tax-free living and abundance of sunshine, but wine connoisseurs are also flocking to the Principality to pick up the best vintages and partake in decadent degustations.

1. Wine Palace

Wine Palace Monte-Carlo is undoubtedly the most popular wine house in the region. In fact, it is so luxurious that it has been upgraded to palace status and the wines proffered in its hallowed space are fit for royalty. Situated in the exclusive Yacht Club de Monaco, Wine Palace has an unrivalled cellar offering more than 2,300 wines, champagnes and spirits in a sophisticated setting.

Both Old World vintages and New World modern wines are available and have undergone a rigorous selection process. Sample the wine on the elegant terrace or within the chic interior with its plush burgundy leather seats. Enjoy sumptuous tasting platters of salmon, charcuterie and cheese chosen to perfectly accompany each recommended wine. The highly-renowned interior design company Sabrina Monte-Carlo supplies the glassware and tableware. Wine Palace Monte-Carlo is a firm favourite with yacht owners and sommeliers since it can deliver to your home or yacht at no extra charge.

2. Caves et Gourmandises

This is the shop to visit for rare Italian and French wines. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will certainly help you make a selection if you are overwhelmed by the choice. It is in a good location at Boulevard Albert Ier by the port and has a seated area for champagne and wine tasting with various condiments and accompaniments. Caves et Gourmandises has a wonderful selection of local Provence wines and delivery is free in Monaco and Nice.

3. Dionysos Wines

Having opened just two years ago, this wine cellar is the newest in the Principality. Dionysos Wines is situated at 4 Rue Princesse Caroline in La Condamine district. The contemporary boutique wine shop offers courses and wine tasting events with different themes in its stylish tasting room. The expert sommelier can advise you on the best wine and gift boxes for all occasions and personalities and there is shelf upon shelf of enticing options from as far afield as South Africa and Australia. They offer free delivery in Monaco and its surrounding communities.

4. Caves Nicolas Monaco

Nicolas is in a central location at 29 Boulevard de Moulins. It is a liquor store that savvy locals visit when they want to pick up something special from a good selection of wines and spirits. The fifteen-year-old store is well established and part of a European chain. It offers seasonal tasting, gourmet tips and online ordering.

5. Maison del Gusto

This virtual delicatessen is an online shop dedicated to supplying the most refined international products to customers. Its unique approach and sophisticated gourmet gifts have earned it numerous admirers. Maison del Gusto can certainly find the most exclusive and elusive wines from France, Spain and Italy, which are ideal for impressing guests.

Try the Spanish tapas gift box (€400.00) with small plates for a culinary experience from Iberia’s top producers coupled with the 2011 Macán and Macán Clásico Riojas. If you get bored of fine wines, try the 32 Via dei Birrai, the first Italian artisan brewery (and non-Belgian beer) to earn the prestigious Houblon Belge distinction.

What better way to spend a holiday than by enjoying delectable cuisine at some of the most picturesque destinations in the world? That’s exactly what cruise holidays offer, although they might not be the first things that spring to mind when planning for your next break abroad. Both on and off ship however, cruise holidays have a growing reputation for welcoming foodies around the globe to a world of gourmet paradise.

Dining on board

Depending on the size of your ship, you’ll find a wealth of culinary options on board that cater to practically every taste. Buffet restaurants are common features on the vast majority of vessels these days, while gourmet and speciality restaurants, pizza joints, ice cream parlours and American diners are also available across a number of cruise lines.

Ports and excursions

Of course, only once you drop anchor at your destination of choice will you be able to discover the local flavours in all their glory. Cruises typically travel to a range of locations in one journey, so you’re likely to have the chance to experiences a wide range of cuisines during your trip. Here are just a few of the most popular cruise itineraries for food lovers to get you started.

The Mediterranean

Mediterranean cruises offer a wonderful variety of cuisines, from traditional Greek and Turkish dishes in the east to the flavours of Spain and Italy in the west. Some itineraries take in specific pockets of the Med, while others explore this corner of the world in its entirety. Culinary highlights include Croatia’s world-famous goulash and pizza served just as it should be in Rome.

Alaska

Alaska might not be the first destination that springs to mind when you think of iconic cuisine, but cruises here will introduce you to some delicacies that even the most seasoned foodie might not have sampled before. Alaska’s speciality is, of course, fish – with smoked salmon, fresh king crab and black cod taking their place on most of the menus. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there’s always the option to sample the infamous reindeer dog while you’re at it too.

Australia

It’s not so much the food that takes centre stage during cruises to Australia – it’s the wine instead. Australian wine is among the finest in the world, while many voyages here make a point of featuring excursions to local vineyards. You’ll find that many cruise lines offer a great selection of wines back on board too, making cruise holidays the ultimate wine lovers retreat.

South America

Brazil, Chile and Argentina are just a few South American countries that welcome cruise ships to their ports each and every year. Soups and ganache packed with rich flavour are the norm here, while potatoes provide the base for many local dishes. If you happen to drop anchor in Brazil, be sure to sample the country’s national dish – Feijoada – a popular black bean and meat stew.

You’ll find that many cruise lines take your destination into consideration when planning their menus, so make sure you read up on what’s available before you sail. Whether dining on or off the ship, cruises have the potential to open the door to a new and exciting world of cuisine.

Food brings people together, and what better way to socialise than with a summer barbecue. Every once in a while though, it’s good to do something unique with the food you produce. So, here’s a few ideas for this year’s summer barbecue, where you can use food and drink to make your party stand out.

Create a theme

Themes are not only the perfect way to express your creativity, but they also add that instant wow-factor for guests. It could be a beach or seaside theme, a tropical theme or a classic summer garden party, but they offer tonnes of ways for you to theme your food, right down to the seating. For example, if you’re trying to create a traditional summer picnic, lay out lots of gingham cloths with placemats for seating, string up bunting and have Pimms on the lawn. Then, make miniature versions of classics like Victoria sponge, sausage rolls and jam tarts, which can easily be prepped and baked in advance.

Hire out something unique

Another way of grabbing your guests’ attention is by creating a feature in your garden. For example, why not hire out a chocolate or cocktail fountain pourer to take centre stage, surrounded by plenty of fresh fruit? Or for something truly spectacular, swap out the family barbecue set for a whole hog roast machine – simple to use, easily affordable and the perfect way of feeding your many guests in one, this is the perfect solution for summer party hosts who are worried about catering to a large number of people. You can check out hogroast-machine.co.uk if you’d like to find out more about them.

Think outside the box

If you don’t want a theme but you’re tired of the same old food, it’s time to let your imagine run wild. Think of some classic barbecue recipes and then try to re-invent them – for example, have you ever tried a popcorn-dog or a taco bite served on a stick? Have you ever made a Nutella smores tray bake where people can dig in with their biscuits and not wait for them to roast? Think about your favourite flavour combinations, and try to think how you could simplify them into something that’s unique but still easy to prepare. Another great example is pizza-style samosas, or mac and cheese muffins – you can check out more ideas here.

Give ‘In-a-Jar’ gifts

This is one of the best foodie gifts that any party host could give. There are hundreds of ‘In-a-Jar’ ideas out there, from the ingredients for a batch of cookies to arts and craft kits. So, for your barbecue, why not let them leave with a cocktail-in-a-jar gift, such as a rum punch of a fruit-filled sangria? Or instead, they could take home a batch of your own freshly-made strawberry jam, pesto, or any other preserve you’ve whipped up this season.

Do you have any other unique ideas for making sure your party stands out? Leave them below…