Planning an event is one thing — getting guests to show up is quite another. Two big ways to entice attendees to show up for a get-together are good food and a great party theme. Luckily, barbecue covers both of those bases. A beloved food genre for decades, barbecue ushers in all kinds of ideas in people’s minds, from the tasty sides (corn cobs and mac-and-cheese, anyone?) to the mouthwatering smell of a smoking grill. Tripleseat and EventUp have a slew of barbecue venues and catering companies who use our software to manage their growing events business. We have been exploring the trend of barbecue events, and why it’s such a crowd-pleaser.
It’s a food genre that doubles as a theme
When you choose to implement barbecue into your event, you can take it a step further and make it your event’s theme as well. From pig motifs to classic picnic-style tablecloths (and plenty of napkins, of course), you can begin to build the event environs through inspiration from the food itself, no matter the occasion. This can also inform your cocktail, beer, and wine choices to boot. Catering plan and party theme: check and check.
It’s a crowd-pleaser
Sure, foodie fare is impressive to those with curated palates, and small portions with a smattering of colorful sauce splashed onto the crisp white plate makes for a top-notch Instagram photo. But every now and then, it’s nice to have an event with some good old-fashioned barbecue, coleslaw, and Texas toast! Having a BBQ themed event offers a more relaxed food experience that works well even in more formal settings. Who says you can’t enjoy a good helping macaroni and cheese in formal wear?
It’s a mobile meal
Worried about an event appearing too stuffy, or that people won’t be able to loosen up to mix and mingle? Simple solution: Add barbecue! These dishes are generally enjoyed sans utensils, meaning you don’t have to have a sit-down dinner setup to eat them. Many of Gather’s barbecue clients run successful catering operations because of the ease and mobile nature of barbecue dishes.
It’s customizable
While barbecue is its own food type, there’s no one definition of it. Barbeque is a very distinct type of food, but the flavors can vary greatly depending on where you are enjoying the food or where the chef learned their skills. Have your chef look into a variety of barbecue offerings, so you can bring a robust list of menu options to your client.
It works with a variety of event types
When it comes to event types, the variety of shindigs that are suitable for a Barbeque can run the gamut including weddings, showers, tailgates, company picnics, family gatherings, and team-building retreats. A barbecue theme can be a great choice for engagement parties (an ‘I Do’ BBQ!) rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversary parties, and plenty of other celebration types. It’s a versatile food option that’s sure to usher in a good time for all involved.
Now that you know the ins and outs of the BBQ event trend, why not request a live demo of Tripleseat to see if our event management software is right for you?
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on the Gather blog.
