Just when you thought it was time to let your guard down…here’s a list of manners for giving/attending a bbq. Anything here that we’ve forgotten?

Celebrity chef Ted Reader comes to us with these gems of advice.

“When it comes to attending someone else’s barbecue party or hosting your own backyard bash, there are a few rules of etiquette that you should use as guidelines,” said Reader. “Take it from me, I host a number of barbecue fests and I’ve learned a bit about the rights and wrongs. Most of these tips are pretty straightforward but there’s always that one guy who just doesn’t know. My advice is to follow these tips and not be that guy.”

Chef Ted shares his bbq secrets.

When you’re a guest at a BBQ Party:

· Don’t Touch the Grill: This is the domain of the host and/or hostess, and moving in on their BBQ turf is the biggest faux pas that you can make. As a guest, you can watch but never touch. Asking questions, though, is completely acceptable.
· Bring Something: A bottle of wine or some beer; or, if you feel up to it, even a side dish you’ve made. But make sure there is enough to go around. Even a jar of your favourite barbecue sauce is a great gift. I suggest Ted’s World Famous BBQ Sauces and Seasonings.
· Be Respectful: Your hosts have enough stress throwing a party; they don’t need any added aggravation. Never tell the person working the grill how to do it, or that what he or she is doing is wrong. Mind your manners and only offer suggestions when asked.

When you’re hosting the BBQ Party:

· Make sure your grill is clean. A clean grill is a healthy grill, and it makes you look professional.
· If you’re using propane as your fuel source, make sure you have a full tank and a backup just in case. There is nothing worse than running out of fuel while you’re in the middle cooking. The same goes for charcoal. Make sure that you have enough.
· Invest in proper utensils. This simple tip makes you look like a pro. Rusted or dirty gear however, does the exact opposite.
· Prepare recipes that you are comfortable and familiar with. Test recipes on your family (they will forgive you), not your guests.
· Create a theme for your BBQ party: a birthday, Father’s Day, Canada Day, Fourth of July or any other celebration. A theme will make it easier to plan a menu and get yourself organized.
· Have a vegetarian option. Meat is the mainstay of the barbecue, but not all of your guests may eat it, so provide a secondary option. Grilled Portobello mushroom caps topped with assorted grilled vegetables and some cheese is a great vegetarian choice.
· Don’t feel obligated to invite your neighbours. Not all parties require their presence.
· Provide taxi rides for those who have a little too much fun.

Above all, Reader advises you to not forget to have fun. Barbecue parties are a great way to get together with friends and celebrate the end of the cold weather.

Thanks, Chef Ted! Now get out there and start grilling!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Bruce Springsteen – Fire (We will miss you, Clarence!)

Isn’t it great to have an extra day off? Since Eric had Monday off we were able to squeeze in some extra fun this weekend. Friday night found us at Farm Burger in Decatur for the yummiest burgers this side of your home grill (actually, better than home burgers). Saturday we decided to go back to Dahlonega and visit our friends Doug and Sharon Paul at Three Sisters Vineyard & Winery for a special treat. We started with the wine pairings – my favorite was their Blood Mountain Red paired with Cheetos! Cheetos! Don’t you love Cheetos? Me, too.

Have No Idea How Doug & Sharon Thought This Up, But It's Great!

Three Sisters is such a fabulous getaway. Awesome wines, the quiet calm of the vineyards and my friendly, yet wildly vinocentric friends.

My Sweet Eric

Outside on the crush pad held more surprises. One was meeting the delightful Chef Dairen of Pig-N-Chips BBQ & Catering, who was formerly the yacht chef for Jimmy Buffett – don’t you just love Jimmy Buffett, especially in the summertime? Anyhoo, Chef Dairen has dreamed up the perfect portable summertime dish – a BBQ Sundae! This fun concoction is a clear cup layered with bbq beans, slaw, pulled pork, more beans, more slaw and topped with a cherry tomato! So delicious and so adorable!

Chef Dairen. Got Pork? Love The Tee.

Are You Ready For Some Sundae?

While We Waited for Sundaes, I Snapped More Photos of My Sweetie.

Nom, Nom, Nom! It's A BBQ Sundae, Y'all!

Doug and I are banding together with Chef Dairen to bring you a special Key West inspired dinner at Three Sisters for 40 folks. Please leave me a comment if you would like to make a reservation for this fun evening of conch fritters and other south Florida delights. We will be holding the dinner in September, with more details to follow.

And of course, there will be music. This day’s music was bluegrass. It paired perfectly with the bbq, the wine (Fat Boy Red-perfect for bbq) and all that bucolic scenery.

BBQ & Wine, Made Better With Bluegrass Music

A special hello to Val and Jim, our new friends from our afternoon on the Crush Pad and as always, the biggest thanks to Doug & Sharon, the most wonderful hosts ever.

xoox, Patti

Today blogging to Seals & Croft – Summer Breeze

Last night we were tickled to be invited to the home of Spencer & Allison, co-owners of Black Tie Barbecue for an intimate get together with their fabulous, and recently engaged, friends, Joe and Lauren. You’d think Spencer and Allison would be exhausted from catering constantly, but no, they were up for a tasting party. A bruschetta tasting party. I love being a recipe guinea pig.

Four different types of bruschetta were prepared by our gracious hosts as the rest of us gathered in their kitchen to cheer them on:

1. Buffalo Chicken
2. Melon, Proscuitto & Mozzarella with Mint
3. Shrimp with Red Pepper
4. Antipasto

And I know this is crazy, but I left my camera on during the day and the battery died, leaving me with no way to document our time together. Thank goodness for Spencer and his iPhone! Thanks again, Spence!

Since this was the first time we had all seen each other since February (Lauren lives in D.C.), we had loads to catch up on. And catch up, we did. The talk inevitably turns to food and catering, since I used to cater and of course, we all love food.

Lauren & Joe, From The Night We First Met In February

And then it was time to test the recipes.  Pinky swear, these two cannot lose (actually, these four – Neil and LaToyin, who round out the 4 owners of Black Tie BBQ), are so talented in the kitchen, that soon I will be saying, “I knew them back in the day,” when Hollywood calls.

The Fabulous Four - Allison, Spencer, Neil & LaToyin

First up – Buffalo Chicken Bruschetta. How could what looks like a yummy spread taste exactly like a plate of hot wings? We all loved the flavor meld of chopped fried chicken tenders, blue cheese, hot sauce and celery. I can’t wait to serve this at next year’s Super Bowl party. Ok, I won’t be able to wait until then – college ball is starting soon! Go Gators!

Next -Melon, Proscuitto & Mozzarella. Finely minced sweet cantalope paired with salty proscuitto, mini mozzarella and mint. So refreshing and not the least bit cloying. It was like a palate cleansing bruschetta. An elegant winner. I could see this served on silver trays with mimosas as a starter for brunch.

Third – Shrimp with Red Pepper. What’s not to like? It’s shrimp, y’all. Not a speck of this was left over. Scrumptious.

Last offering – Antipasto Bruschetta. Yum, Yum, Yum.  Chopped kalamata olives matched up with crunchy radish and tomatoes. Gobbled up like ravenous badgers. Gone, Daddy, Gone.

Antipasto & Shrimp Bruschettas, With A Peek of Buffalo Chicken Below

Melon, Proscuitto, Mozzarella & Mint - Perfect

The six of us sat around the living room, noshing, sipping wine and discussing classic television. So much fun. As we discussed where we all go on vacation together (we would have the greatest time traveling with these two awesome couples), Allison and I dished up the blueberry crisp and vanilla ice cream I had made earlier in the day. I have to say, it was well-received.

Blueberry Crisp & Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

After all these tasty treats, Spencer suggested we move the party to a very secret location in Buckhead. A place I have been dying to check out. This place is so secret, it has no sign, no visible entrance – the only way to gain entry is to know the private telephone number. I won’t tell you where it is, because that would spoil it for those in the know, but I will tell you that they mix some of the tastiest cocktails I have ever had the pleasure of imbibing until 2 a.m.

When I finally tucked myself into bed at 3 a.m., I had happy visions of delicious bruschetta dancing in my head.

Thanks a million, Spencer and Allison, you all are fantastic to bring the six of us together. Cannot wait to do it again.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Bugsy Malone Soundtrack – Speakeasy

The best thing about having a blog is the opportunity to toast those you love best.  So if you will indulge me this lovely Monday morning, I would like to tell you about the party we attended Saturday night.

Adorable friend Valerie graduated from Georgia State and we all gathered to celebrate her accomplishment. Our sweet hostess Denise even made a sign:

Congratulations, Valerie!

Jay, Valerie’s sweetheart and best friend had arranged the most wonderful day for his girl on Saturday.  A mani/pedi came to pamper her at the house, but before Valerie’s spa day began, Jay pulled out a tiny, velvet box, declared his love for her and proposed!  Do you have goosebumps? Me, too!!  We all heard the news when we arrived at the party and made Jay & Valerie tell the story a million times during the evening. You know we girls can’t get enough of these romantic stories!

The keg full of Blue Moon was tapped, the bbq Jay and Curtis had spent all night smoking was brought out for ‘que sliders and our friends and neighbors showed up with scrumptious sides. Our host Rick even made the most amazing homemade cinnamon ice cream for ice cream cones. Yum!

But the star of the night was Valerie, glowing and smiling all night long.

And now for the photos!

Newly Engaged Jay & Valerie

Our Star Enjoys A Plate of BBQ With Leila and Shane

In addition to the bbq, Jay and Curtis had also made three different types of wings as well as making the sauce themselves – 4 kinds!

Carrie Admires Valerie's New Ring

Dave and Ryan Catch Up

Merryl Checks Out Valerie's New Rock

Marcus and I Enjoyed Rick's Cinnamon Ice Cream Together

Taruan and Shawn Pose for Photos

Jill and Benoit Share A Moment

Sierra Guards The Keg

Cutie Pie Heather, Who Introduced Valerie & Jay

Curtis, Eric and Joel Take A Break & Have a Laugh

The Always Impeccably Dressed Chioke

Taruan Tries His Hand At Spades

Teague and Bill Exchange Stories

Our Wonderful Host, Rick, Regales Eric With A Tale

Our Beautiful Graduate, Valerie, Takes It All In

Benoit and Michelle Enjoy The Evening

Crystal and I Pause For A Hug

Leila Signs The Facebook Tee We Brought for Valerie

The Bar Is Open!

Our Hostess With The Mostess, Denise

Host and Hostess Rick & Denise Pose On THE Party Deck in Our Neighborhood

Jay With His Fun College Buddies, Brandon and Jared

Curtis and Merryl, Having a Great Time

Joel and Denise Take A Moment

Chioke, Through The Palms

The Giant, Delicious Cookie - We Are So Proud of You, Valerie!

Jay Presents His Fiancee' and New Graduate, Valerie

A Very Happy Couple

Time To Cut The Cookie

Everyone Was There To Applaud Valerie

Ryan And Chioke Stop To Visit

Valerie's Future Sister-In-Law, Heather, Poses With The Grad

Me, With Our Darling Valerie

Cutting Up With Valerie, Chioke and Byron

Byron Gets Smooched By His Sweetie, Michelle

Eric Practices The Neighborhood Handshake With Ashley and Valerie

Jared Enjoys A Blue Moon

Bubbly Miss Keely and Our Buddy Joel

Gorgeous Michelle Always Brings Sparkle To Our Parties

Jay and Valerie, I cannot tell you how thrilled everyone who loves you are for your happiness.  I know there will be tons of parties this summer, but the magic of this special night will not be duplicated.  Best wishes to you both, I love you!!

xoxo, Patti