The charcoal challenge bbq

I have posted before that I was going to take part in the money supermarket's charcoal challenge. We had our bbq yesterday.

For the food I have spent the last couple of weeks collecting up the items needed as and when I saw them on offer and stashed any with short life in the freezer.

we had bread rolls, finger and burger brought in the reduced section for 19p a packet instead of 50+p
We had sausages bought on offer.
The chicken breasts for the kebabs were bought on offer- 2kg for £3.50, as were the mixed drumsticks and thighs for around the same price. The marinades were bought from approved foods.
we also had salads, dips and crisps, chicken nuggets and sausage rolls again all *special priced*
I bought the soft drinks on special offer we had coke and lemonade. I usually don't buy cans however the big boxes were on offer at £4 in Asda so I bought a couple of those. I made the cakes myself, we had iced muffins and mini Victoria sandwichs.
The only thing I didn't managed to buy either reduced or on offer was the burgers. I ended up buying a box of premium priced burgers £4 for 12 as there seemed to be no supermarket ones when I went on Friday to one supermarket then Saturday to another as I had forgotten them in the lead up to the bbq shopping.

I am sure there was more but I can't remember what, oh the charcoals for the barbecue were also on offer at  2 bags for £8.

How many did this little haul feed? 9 adults and 7 children. We all had more than enough food, in fact there are some leftovers which I will eat up over the next few days.

So the best way to get the value for money for a bbq is to plan in advance and pick up offers when you see them. However please remember that this is England and if you plan a bbq this will happen about half hour before everyone is due to arrive;

Yep I had been sitting in beautiful sunshine all morning. So got out everything for the bbq and this came over bringing rain and thunder and lightning just as the first guests were arriving. I through everything back in the shed and declared it an oven-cue instead. However in ten minutes the sun had come back out. So out we headed and did indeed have our bbq.

As we were finishing eating and were sitting around chatting, the children were putting on shows for us. they got the facepaints out and we had a facepaint fight, as you do! LOL

 

Then the rain and thunder came back. So did we run in scared, don't be silly. we danced in it and puddle jumped!

 

What a fantastic time we all had.

 

THIS IS MY ENTRY INTO THE CHARCOAL CHALLENGE FOR MONEY SUPERMARKET.

 

 

The charcoal challenge

I have been given the opportunity to take part in the charcoal challenge over at money supermarket.

So I have to throw a frugal barbecue and blog about it. the easiest way I see so far to throw a frugal barbecue is planning. Now we can't plan for the weather, but hopefully it will play along for us!
We have chosen our barbecue to be on Saturday 27th July. This is because we already had plans for this weekend, Stephanie is off to her Dad's next weekend. So the next one we are all home and is not booked up is the 27th. It also gives me a chance to collect what I need. Things that I see from our 'bbq want list' in the reduced section of the supermarkets will be collected over the next couple of weeks and put in the freezer.

So what is on our want list?

Bread rolls; round and finger. I have 1 pack of round ones put away ready.
Burgers
sausages
chicken drumsticks/wings
chicken breast for making kebabs
salad
couscous- already in the cupboard thanks to approved foods
garlic bread- in the freezer already bought in reduced section yesterday
fizzy drinks
squash
alcohol will be supermarket version of the WKD, unless promotions make the real thing better value
charcoal bricks for the BBQs, bought on offer yesterday
paper plates, I already have some in the back of a cupboard somewhere may need more which will get a pack in Poundland, and cups
BBQ skewers
Ice cream- I already have wafers and sprinkles in the cupboard- thanks to approved food.


I think that is everything. The meats I will be getting from the butchers on payday. I need to restock the freezer so I will buy our meat for the next couple of months at the same time meaning I will get a good discount. I don't know the cost until I get to the butchers. I will let you know when I have been.

This barbecue is for a guest list of 18 in total. Lets see how far I can stretch those pennies! Expect another post once I have been shopping, then another once the event has been pulled off. I love to throw a get together this challenge has provided me with a perfect opportunity.