Fandango Catering Offers 5 Tips to Keep Guests Comfortable at Summer Events

Summer events are a special case because of the heat and humidity you're up against as host.  Today in our continuing series, "Summer Entertaining," we offer 5 tips to keep your guests comfortable at summer events.

Understand that not everyone wants to be outside--Provide food, drinks, and adequate seating inside too so those who don't want to be outside can have a nice little conversation area and food and drinks inside.  Some people just don't like to be outside! Maybe it's too hot for them or too humid or there are insects or their makeup will run or their hair will frizz or their fancy party clothes or shoes don't go well with being outside.  For whatever reason they don't want to be outside, make these types comfortable too.

If you want your guests outdoors, make sure they're not hit by too much sun--As you plan your event, take time early on to see what time the sun's rays hit your outdoor area.  If your outdoor area is in shade all the time, no problem! If not, check it at the time of day you want to host your party in that area and see if too much sunlight is hitting it or not.  If yes, move the guest area to another area so that the sun doesn't hit your guests too much.

Find ways to keep the inside cool--If you will have a lot of people inside, will your place still be cool or will the extra people make it too warm? If your inside cooling system can't handle the extra people, add tower fans inside or misters outside or borrow or rent another place or cut down the guest list.  We've seen large groups crammed into small homes in dead summer and the guests were uncomfortable, perspiring profusely, as the cooling systems just couldn't handle the extra people.

If you serve spicy food at a summer event offer cool non-alcoholic beverages--To quench thirst caused by spicy foods, many people prefer a non-alcoholic beverage.  Don't make this an afterthought. If you serve spicy foods and it's a hot day, and you only serve alcohol, you run the risk of guests getting drunk as they drink too much alcohol to quench their thirst--ouch!

If you have food outside consider putting it under a canopy--This can help keep it cooler longer if yours is a daytime event.  But even so food should not be outside for more than an hour or two if it's a hot day, an hour max if it's a very hot day.  You can also pass trays of food, brought from inside to guests outdoors, and that way the food is kept from spoiling in the heat if you live in a hot climate.

With just a little forethought you can help make your guests more comfortable at summer's "hot" events.

Warmly,

Kristina

Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com