Get organised PARTY OR MEET?
The o cial date for the Big Jubilee Lunch is Sunday, 5 June. If you and your neighbours have organised a street party, you should have already submitted council applications for road closures and grants, if needed. Some councils will accept late applications, though, so it’s worth checking. If you plan to have amplified music or sell alcohol, you’ll also have to apply for a Temporary Events Notice (see resources, below). You may also need public liability insurance in case of injuries or damages.
If you’ve missed the deadline for a street closure or want something more low-key, you could consider a ‘street meet’ instead. This is a party where neighbours celebrate on private property, such as driveways or front gardens. The Eden Project, which founded the annual Big Lunch, oers more ideas for meeting with neighbours at edenproject.com. Even if you’re just celebrating with family at home, our recipes and tips will help the event run smoothly.
PLANNING
Setting up a group on social media is often the easiest way to plan a party with your neighbours. The same group can then be used to share photos of the event afterwards. Start by putting a note through everyone’s door inviting them to join the online group, then organise an in-person meeting if possible.
Ask each household to bring a dish. It’s a practical way to spread the cost, and may also introduce you to new recipes. Find out what’s being made in advance to ensure there’s a mix of sweet and savoury. Discuss allergies and dietary requirements so everyone is included. Oer veggie, vegan and gluten-free options, if you can.
You’ll also need equipment, such as tables, chairs and utensils – ask around to see which neighbours can loan some. For larger events, you may need to hire furniture. Think about ways to make the party sustainable, too, such as using recyclable materials.
GET AHEAD
Prepping food in advance will make the day more relaxed and enjoyable. Look out for our recipe tips on freezing and assembling dishes ahead. You could even organise a group prep day, where everyone cooks dishes and makes decorations together.
FOOD AS ENTERTAINMENT
Host friendly food competitions: challenge drink aficionados to design a cocktail or hold a cookery competition, like a bake-o, jam- or chutneymaking contest. A ‘best veg’ prize will get gardeners involved, too.
Use the instant vanilla ice cream recipe on bbcgoodfood.com and set up a make-your-own ice cream station. Children will be amazed that they can churn their own soft-serve treat by shaking small sealed bags of the liquid mixture in larger bags of ice and salt.
DRINKS
Set up a self-serve drinks station – the larger the gathering, the easier it is if people serve themselves. Use dispensers with taps for cold drinks, urns or flasks for hot, and giant ice buckets for bottles and cans. Put berries, citrus and cucumber slices in tubs with tongs. Pots of herbs can decorate the tables, and guests can pick their own garnishes.
MAKE AN ICE BUCKET
Collect big, clean, food-safe containers. Steel troughs, flexi-tubs and cooler boxes work well. At least two hours in advance, fill them with ice, then add cold water so it comes halfway up the side. Stir in 30g salt per litre of water – this lowers the freezing temperature and speeds up chilling. Submerge sealed drinks and tie bottle openers to the containers with ribbons, ready for guests to help themselves.