There is a definite art to successful braai catering for parties which involves a lot more than simply throwing a few pieces of meat on the grill. Even if it is only a family gathering you are catering for there are certain measures you will need to put in place to ensure that your braai party is going to be a success. Of course, you cannot control the weather but there is a lot you can do to make sure your guests enjoy themselves.

Bachelors have been known to build a fire caveman-style and then sit around 'chewing the fat' while the meat burns on the outside and remains raw on the inside which is not necessarily to their girlfriends' tastes. Needless to say, this is not the way to cater a braai properly. The key to successful braai catering for a party is to treat it like a proper meal and not to cut corners. While it is acceptable to ask people to bring their own choice of meat and alcoholic beverages to an informal party these days, you simply must provide a few 'extras'. This could mean sides like salads or vegetables and a starch of some sort like a potato bake or 'paptert' to accompany the meat and perhaps even a simple dessert to round off the meal.

You should also consider the comfort of your guests just as you would for any other type of gathering. Older folk will need comfortable chairs to sit on and it is always nice to have tables set up with cloths for people to eat their meal at if they wish. It is also wise to provide some vegetarian dishes for those who do not eat meat.

On the other hand, if you would rather sit back in a deckchair and expend absolutely no effort at all, or better yet, if you have a large party to cater for then you may prefer to make use of a braai catering service. The advantage of using caterers like this is that they will do all the work. Moreover, they will bring all the necessary braai equipment with them and take it away again afterwards without you having to lift a finger...