The traditional Great British BBQ has experienced a remarkable revival, as party planners increasingly opt for the comfort and convenience of hosting gatherings in their own back gardens rather than expensive venues or restaurants.
The trend of BBQ garden parties gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing restrictions necessitated creative solutions for socializing. While many pandemic-related trends faded away as life returned to normal, the popularity of BBQ garden parties has endured and evolved into one of the UK’s major party trends, according to research from Poptop, a leading party planning platform.
The Great British BBQ gets a new lease of life
BBQs have always been synonymous with British summers, but recent data reveals a significant surge in the popularity of professional BBQ catering services. Poptop, known for its extensive party booking statistics, has noted a substantial and sustained increase in the demand for BBQ caterers. Compared to 2019, BBQ chefs are now being booked three times more frequently, making BBQ catering one of the most sought-after party categories in 2023. With social distancing measures fading away, what explains the enduring appeal of BBQ garden parties?
The impact of the “cost of living”
One possible reason is the ongoing financial strain on families. As inflation rises, OpenTable, a dining reservations platform, has reported a 10% decrease in restaurant bookings over the past year. It’s not just restaurants experiencing lower demand; private party venue hire prices are also increasing due to rising utility and operational costs. Party planners are now seeking ways to create memorable experiences for their loved ones without breaking the bank. Hosting a professionally catered BBQ in one’s own outdoor space offers significant savings on venue, bar, and catering expenses, while maintaining the sense of ceremony and occasion associated with special events like birthdays or anniversaries.
Societal and cultural shifts
Societal and cultural shifts also play a role, shaped by our collective experiences of the past few years. Spending time with family in the comfort of our own homes has become a cherished tradition that many wish to continue long after lockdowns have ended. Additionally, with the significant improvements people made to their gardens and outdoor spaces during the summers of 2020 and 2021, it’s only natural that they want to spend more quality time enjoying these spaces with friends and family.
The impact on the market
Food professionals are well aware of these evolving party planning trends. The growing popularity of back garden BBQ parties has led to a surge of new party services entering the market. Poptop’s own service catalogue reflects these changes, as BBQ catered events gain popularity, professional caterers are diversifying their offerings to stand out. This has resulted in an incredible array of unique party services, including Brazilian churrasco BBQ, American-style rib shacks, Keralan cuisine cooked on open fires, Hawaiian luau-inspired catering, and much more. The options seem almost endless.
The trend extends beyond catering options; party tents, mobile bars, and children’s entertainment have also seen a significant increase in popularity as BBQ-party fever sweeps through the private party scene in the UK. This trend shows no signs of slowing down.
“While COVID restrictions significantly disrupted parties, they also sparked numerous innovative ideas. People realized they could enjoy higher-quality food and entertainment in their backyards or gardens rather than hiring function rooms. This led to significant growth in outdoor activities such as party tents, outdoor mobile bars, and of course, BBQs, an absolute essential for summer parties now.” – Eugene Shestopal, CEO, Poptop.
“We experienced an unprecedented demand for BBQs last year, and despite the cost of living crisis, the demand continues to grow even bigger this summer. This inspires me to create new recipes, sauces, and entertainment ideas so that every party becomes unique and special.” – Simon James, founder of The Rib Rack BBQ Company.
