Planning a big Labor Day gathering? It doesn’t have to be hard

And just like that, summer is coming to a close! Can you believe it?  

As Labor Day approaches, the last big summertime cookout is on my mind, and the possibilities are endless. Hot dogs, burgers, steaks, ribs and corn on the cob are the usuals. But sometimes, it’s not just a Monday cookout you’ve got to worry about. Often, the whole weekend becomes one big party that begs for some planning and organization.

If you’re one of those people who’s going big and wants to make the weekend easy, here are some ideas to make the holiday run super smoothly:

Assign! Don’t be a martyr and try to cook all alone. If someone comes into the kitchen asking if they can help, give out tasks! Corn shucking, vegetable washing, chopping and sending a trusty friend or relative to grill duty will make life a whole lot easier. Kids make great runners, especially the ones who love to help the adults.

Buy or make your desserts ahead of time. The last thing you want to do is fuss with a layer cake while everyone is outside having a beer. Fruit pies are easy to freeze and rewarm in an oven. Sundae bars are a fun way to make life easy.  Just buy an assortment of candy and chocolate. 

Fill a bunch of clear, plastic cups with the booty, put out hot fudge, wet walnuts, cherries, and a can of whipped cream and let everyone have a little fun. A big bowl of strawberries or blueberries and freshly whipped cream is a totally gorgeous and simple summer dish to serve.

Go pot luck! While some people like to have total control of the food, sometimes it’s fun to just let go and allow everyone to contribute.  This way the burden to prepare and pay for everything doesn’t fall entirely on the host. 

Think about providing the drinks and asking people to each bring something specific like a fruit salad, crudite platter, guac and chips, or dessert.  Some people like to break out their best brownie or banana bread recipe on occasions like this. I find potlucks are a great way to acknowledge people for what they do well.

Pick out your menu ahead, make a shopping list and do one big shop.  Plan on grilling one day, making a big, easy, family style dish like chili another day and provide lots of easy toppings like sour cream, cheese, guacamole, tortilla chips, scallions, jalapenos and cilantro.  If you’ve got a slow cooker or pressure cooker, even better!

Check out last week’s column on easy-to-make summer desserts. These ideas will save you tons of time.

Don’t try to complicate things. Slice some heirloom tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and olive oil.  Serve some peaches with basil and burratta cheese. Dress some arugula with lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Grill a nice thick strip steak, sprinkle it with salt and serve it sliced on a nice wooden cutting board. People will be happy.  Believe me.