Summer is here and there’s nothing quite like an outdoor feast to put everyone in a great mood. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a compact courtyard, there’s always space for an alfresco dinner with friends. But before you rush outside and throw the bangers and burgers on to the BBQ, it’s good to get ahead in your bespoke kitchen design. Planning is key for stress free dining in the fresh air. So use your luxury kitchen room to get organised with cocktail making and food prep. And if the heavens open, your roundhouse kitchen is ready and waiting to carry on the party.

Here are 5 simple tips for planning the ultimate outdoor feast.

Prioritise food prep

Our number one rule is to prep and plan the food in advance. It’s the best tip for letting you enjoy as much time as possible with your guests. A couple of days before, review what’s inside your fridge and kitchen storage cabinets so you can use up what you have. You’ll have a clear idea of what ingredients to put on your shopping list and cut back on waste. For BBQ prep, marinate the meat and fish 24 hours before and store in the fridge of your bespoke kitchen design. Cook a few big sharing dishes such as tray bakes, curries and tagines that simply need heating up on the day. And remember to keep perishable foods like salads, coleslaw and quiche in the fridge until you need them. If you’re hosting for a big crowd, it’s a good idea to pre-cook BBQ meat in the oven of your luxury kitchen design and then put on the grill for flavour. It’ll make sure everything has been cooked thoroughly.

Plan your seating

Remember to organise seating – you want everyone to have a seat while they eat. But relax and keep it a casual affair with a mix of outdoor furniture, big floor cushions, deckchairs, or a garden bench. If you’re still short bring out accent chairs and stools from your dining room and kitchen design. Or ask guests to bring a foldaway chair if they have one. Freshen up garden sofas and chairs with a quick wash and brush up and stock up on a pile of pretty garden cushions for added comfort. And if the weather takes a turn for the worse, relocate to your luxury kitchen room and perch on your modern kitchen island with seating.

Pile up plates and glassware

Alfresco eating is the perfect opportunity to bring out large serving bowls and platters normally stashed away in kitchen cupboard storage. Wash and dry plates, dishes, boards, cutlery and serving tongs the day before. So you won’t have to bother on party day (and you can work out if you have enough!). If possible, use wooden bowls, melamine crockery and plastic glasses to minimise safety issues outside. It’s a good way to get use out of your picnicware that might be gathering dust in bespoke kitchen cabinets for most of the year. Don’t forget stripey paper straws to complete the party mood. And when the eating is done, simply clear the decks and stack in a modern kitchen sink or on work surfaces to be dealt with the next morning!

Batch summery cocktails

Life is too short to miss out on all the party action because you’re mixing up cocktails. So the secret is to batch make drinks in upmarket kitchen designs. Pre-mixing cocktail ingredients ahead of the party will save you time and let you enjoy the soiree. Many popular cocktails such as sangria, mojito and Pimm’s can be scaled up beforehand. Just don’t add anything fizzy (like Prosecco, lemonade or ginger beer) more than an hour before the party starts or you’ll end up with flat bubbles. Dig out pitchers and jugs and stock up on big bags of ice. Your bespoke kitchen design will transform into a self-serve cocktail bar, everyone will adore. Cheers!

Get the lighting right

Layered lighting in bespoke designer kitchens is key. You need an expert blend of modern kitchen lighting ideas for cooking, relaxing and good all-round illumination. That’s where roundhouse kitchens can help. For garden lighting, feel free to create a magical atmosphere for garden soirees. Drape twinkly fairy lights across fences, between pergolas and in trees. And fill every surface with clusters of tealights, pillar candles and lanterns. Check bulbs are working and you’ve got plenty of candles to party through into the night.

With the prep done all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the party.

How to prepare your kitchen for a garden party?

Upmarket kitchen designs will be on show whenever you host a party. So make sure your bespoke kitchen is looking its best by having a thorough declutter and clean. Wipe down modern kitchen worktops, sweep the floors and put away gadgets not in use. And one useful tip is to set up a recycling zone for bottles and cans. It’s an easy way to get guests to clear their empties as the party progresses.

Our expert kitchen designers can help you make the best choices for your Roundhouse bespoke kitchen, furniture or wardrobes. Visit any of our seven Roundhouse showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham and get planning!