A Short Guide to Summer Meals in the Backyard

There is nothing like sharing a meal with friends and family in the backyard during the summer months. The environment is already joyful before everyone even sits around the table and the mood is set for a memorable day. But there are a few things that you need to think of, if you want it to be perfect. Here are some of them.

Protect Everyone from Sun Rays

The sun is in large part the most important element of a meal shared in the outdoors. However, it can rapidly become fastidious if the people sitting around the table aren’t protected from the warmth of its rays. The heat may even get too high, and you will have to move your party inside, if you don’t have a solution to the problem. A full cassette manual awning positioned on the back wall of the house is certainly one of the best ways to benefit from the sun for a while and to protect yourself from it when it becomes too warm. You simply have to open it, and everyone will clap their hands happily before continuing with the festivities. It is also ideal if rain starts to fall. However, you should definitely have a back-up plan in case the weather turns ugly.

Keep Insects Away from the Guests

When you eat outside, you share the space with insects and small animals that may live in your area. Although the latter ones will certainly avoid showing up while you are there (except, maybe, for a few hungry birds) the insects will do the reverse and come join the party. If you want to keep mosquitoes away, consider using citronella candles or bug spray. As for wasps, you can build a wasp trap by yourself. All you have to do is mix some apple cider vinegar, sugar and water in a jar and then place it in your outdoor space, away from the table where everyone will take place. The sugar will attract the wasps, and they will become trapped in the jar. Also, you should keep the food bowls covered at all times, so that you don’t attract them.

Handle the Food Appropriately

The last thing that you want is for your friends and family to remember your outdoor meal as the time they got food poisoning. This is why you should take precautions to make sure that the food you will be eating is safe. First of all, wash your hands often while preparing the meal. Clean utensils, dishes and cookware as you prepare and serve the food. Most importantly, keep any perishable food items refrigerated until you are ready to cook or serve them. If you follow these few rules, everyone should be happy and healthy at the end of the day.

Let’s conclude by reminding readers to be respectful of the neighbors. If you are hosting a large group or playing music, try to keep noise levels at a minimum, at least in the late hours of the day. Otherwise, you can consider inviting them to join in!