Barbecues across the world are a dime a dozen, but no one does a barbecue quite like Kiwi’s do. And with barbecue season already well upon us, we thought it was high-time we acknowledged what we believe makes an average barbecue in to a good Kiwi barbecue.
1. The people you invite over (or who come over uninvited)
If you don’t have the whole family over, including a handful of kids to run around and shout loudly, then you’re not going to have a good Kiwi barbecue. Barbecues in New Zealand are how we spend time with loved ones, and manage to feed the masses good, hearty food, without having to leave the sunshine for a sweltering kitchen.
Standing by the barbecue while countless children run around, and the adults relay their funniest moments of the week is the first way you know you’re having a good Kiwi barbecue.
2. The barbecue you stand over while Uncle Dave tells you the best way to cook a steak
Whether you’ve got a top tier barbecue, or you have a humble Warehouse one, you’ve got to have that machine placed in the perfect place so relatives can give you advice on how to best cook your steaks/sausages/vegan patties.
Because if they can’t impart their barbecuing wisdom upon you, are you really hosting a good Kiwi barbecue?
3. The variety of options you have for all kinds of foodies
A good Kiwi host knows that not everyone eats just pork sausages and chicken satay kebabs. If you’re planning on hosting a good Kiwi barbecue, you should be aware of all allergies and dietary requirements, so you can cater to celiacs, or peanut allergies, or your Aunty Barbara who only eats pork every second Tuesday.
If you make sure that your guests all have something they can eat, then you’re well on your way to hosting a good Kiwi barbecue.
4. Don’t forget the potato salad
If you don’t have a potato salad at your barbecue, then it is NOT a good Kiwi barbecue. You might as well be an Aussie! Make sure your barbecues this Summer are all good Kiwi barbecues by making sure you have plenty potato salad to go around.
Check out our favourite recipe here, so you can show up and show out for all your guests.
5. The happiness of the host
We’ve all been to a barbecue where the host is too busy fretting over how done the steaks are or whether there’s enough cutlery to go around, that they don’t enjoy their own party! Don’t be that host. Relax, have fun, and spend time with your guests, because the best Kiwi barbecue is the one where everyone is having fun - and of course eating kraut!