Entertaining

Summer celebrations: GT's ultimate outdoor entertaining guide

How to be the host with the absolute most.

Summer down under is synonymous with outdoor barbecues. You'd be an anomaly to pass the party season without firing up your barbie or being on the receiving end of a chargrilled snag. But there's so much more to summer socials than a well-cooked sausage. From a sizzling setting to crowd-pleasing playlists, we take the guesswork out of throwing your own alfresco barbecue.

1. Laidback setting

When the temperature rises, the key to outdoor entertaining is to keep it casual and comfortable. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or a poolside event, ensure there's an abundance of seating options to encourage your guests to unwind. In terms of the weather, entertaining outdoors can be unpredictable (in no thanks to the recurrence of La Niña) so have overhead protection like gazebos on standby.
The Weber Genesis Connect range offers a side burner to saute vegetables, poach eggs or create sauces; an extra large sear zone to cook multiple steaks at once; and expandable top cooking grills for extra space.

2. Beyond the barbecue

The menu for an outdoor affair doesn't have to begin at chicken skewers and end at beef burgers (though we won't say no to either). Impress your guests with summer barbecue recipes that extend beyond grilling. The Weber Genesis Connect smart gas barbecues, for instance, can roast, bake, steam, or even stir-fry by replacing the cooking grill with custom-fit Weber Crafted range of grillware.
It pays to invest in a quality barbecue that will help you deliver next-level flavour no matter what you're cooking. The Weber Genesis is Weber's most popular premium gas barbecue, designed for those who enjoy creating meals for family and friends and experimenting with cooking techniques.

3. Drink station

To elevate your host status, serve drinks that keep your guests cool in the summer humidity. Bonus points if there's summer spritzes on the menu. From a classic Aperol spritz to a thirst-quenching Hugo spritz (crafted with elderflower syrup, Prosecco, mint and sparkling water), you can't go wrong with these refreshing beverages on the table. For non-alcoholic options, a tall glass of iced tea will never go astray at a sizzling outdoor gathering.

4. Crowd-pleasing playlist

Music has the power to transform and raise the mood of any event. So, what's on your speakers? If you don't have time to put together a dedicated playlist, turn to a music streaming platform. Spotify has thousands of ready-made playlists to suit any mood, from party hits to beach vibes and tracks dedicated to summer. Time to fire up the barbecue, invite your guests over, and hit play.
Brought to you by Weber Genesis. Discover the range at any Weber Store, Weber Specialist Dealers, Weber.com or approved Weber Marketplaces.