TV personality, Fred Sirieix, shares his top tips for hosting the perfect garden party ahead of Coronation Weekend, and to keep in your back pocket all summer long.
With the Coronation fast approaching, and the onset of yet another Bank Holiday, there’s no better time than right now to polish up on your garden party ideas. Providing we’ll get some sunshine this weekend (fingers crossed), many Brits will be dusting off their BBQs and gathering outdoors to do some serious celebrating.
So, how exactly can you best prepare to bring those burning street party ideas to life?
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Fred Sirieix’s 5 top tips for hosting the perfect garden party
Celebrity maître d’ and gardening enthusiast, Fred Sirieix (opens in new tab), joins the judging panel for B&Q’s Gardener of the Year (opens in new tab) competition to find the UK’s best amateur garden that shows heart, soul, and a passion for the outdoors.
We grilled him for his top tips on how to host the perfect garden party this summer.
(Image credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images for B&Q)
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare!
This goes without saying, but we’ve got to admit that sometimes, we really need to hear it again.
‘Make sure that you’ve prepared well in advance so that you’re not stressed on the actual hosting day, as that’s when to enjoy yourself,’ says Fred.
(Image credit: Future PLC / Maxwell Attenborough)
2. Create little entertaining areas
For any gathering or party held indoors, zoning is a great way to ensure all your guests stay occupied at all times – and the same goes for outdoors.
‘Little entertaining areas are great for garden parties – you can create small seating areas with umbrellas to be prepared for all weather,’ says Fred, which is a helpful tip considering the reputation Britain’s unpredictable weather holds.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
3. Hose your garden
Fred advises, ‘Hose the garden and plants a few days in advance of the guests arriving so that no one gets muddy shoes and that the garden looks its best for the guests.’
(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)
4. Bring out the BBQ
‘A BBQ is the obvious party essential as it keeps everyone well-fed and hosting duties to a minimum.’
‘I like to put something big on the BBQ which can slow cook for 2-3 hours as it looks impressive and falls off the bone.’
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Our pick of the best BBQs
Cadac Citi Chef 40 FS Gas BBQ
Sporting a stylish, compact design that’s perfect for smaller spaces, the Cadac Citi Chef is a gas BBQ to be reckoned with. It’s an especially good buy if you’re a newbie to outdoor cooking and are after something easy to use with no fuss.
Weber Original Kettle BBQ
We dubbed the Weber Original Kettle as one of the best charcoal options money can buy and at an affordable price given its longevity. Sporting that iconic, classic BBQ look you can recognise anywhere, you can expect delicious results every time.
Ideal for renters and small families, the Weber Lumin is one of the best electric BBQs on the market right now. Easy and quick to use (all you have to do is plug and play), you can host your garden gatherings even on the smallest balcony or terrace.
5. Ensure comfortable garden seating
Fred says, ‘Ensure guests are comfortable with garden seating – hanging egg chairs are the must-have this season and they also look great for party pictures!’
Gardens have quickly become a second living room for many. When it comes to traditional living rooms, we wouldn’t skip on investing in pieces that are comfortable and worthwhile, therefore, shouldn’t the same be said for our gardens?
Believe us when we say it definitely pays to browse only the best garden furniture options on the market, for your sake as well as your guests.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson)
Our pick of the best garden seating
Alexandria Rattan Effect Garden Corner Sofa Set
Available in two colour options – natural and grey – this affordable L-shaped corner sofa offers compact seating for up to four people with cushions and a glass-topped coffee table included to help you relax in style.
Lois 4 Seater Dining Table & Chairs
Available in teal or grey and natural, this contemporary dining set is a great seating solution for a modern outdoor space and for hosting garden parties all spring and summer long.
Habitat Nordic 4 Seater Rattan Garden Bistro Set
This stylish grey Acapulco-style outdoor lounge set is a great option for a modern outside space. Just throw some cushions into the cocoon seats or loveseat and you have the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon.
‘My parents used to always host garden parties, it’s something that I’ve grown up with so I love hosting my parties now for my friends in my garden,’ says Fred – and we have to say we’re pretty keen to try our hand at hosting more parties too.
Hosting might appear quite intimidating at first and requires quite a bit of time and effort, but follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to creating a garden fit for hosting all summer long.
(Image credit: Future PLC / Dan Duchars)
Fred is part of the judging panel for the B&Q Gardener of the Year competition. Gardeners can enter their competition into four different categories, no matter your garden’s size or budget, to win £10,000. To enter your garden, visit diy.com/gardener-of-the-year (opens in new tab) and entries close Midday 23 June 2023.
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