The Ultimate Summer Hosting Hack: A Gee Beauty Guide to BBQ Season

The Ultimate Summer Hosting Hack: A Gee Beauty Guide to BBQ Season

There are few things we love more than getting together with family and friends - gathered around an outdoor table on a warm summer evening. While hosting can sometimes feel overwhelming, we've discovered the ultimate entertaining shortcut: the backyard BBQ. Everything goes on the grill. It's quick, easy, delicious, endlessly customizable, and best of all, it creates very little cleanup. The grill does most of the work while you spend time with loved ones instead of standing in the kitchen.

At our house, Julien is the undisputed Grill Boss. He takes his role seriously, and honestly, we've never complained.

Start With Great Ingredients

One of our favorite summer traditions is a trip to Summerhill Market in Toronto. Their unseasoned beef burgers are some of the best we've found and make the perfect foundation for an easy weeknight dinner or weekend gathering.

We keep the burgers simple with garlic powder and steak seasoning, then let the grill work its magic.

Julien's Grilled Chicken Marinade:

• Sesame oil

• olive oil

• garlic powder

• onion powder

• mirin

• soy sauce

• fresh lemon juice

• a touch of honey

• savoury, slightly sweet, and perfect for summer!

Don't Forget The Vegetables

The grill isn't just for burgers. We love tossing corn, zucchini, and mini bell peppers with sesame oil, garlic powder, a splash of mirin, JF spicy salt, and pepper before grilling. The vegetables become smoky, caramelized, and just as exciting as the main event.

The Easiest Summer Salad

Every great BBQ needs a fresh side. Lately, I've been making a simple salad with fresh corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, basil, olive oil, and Maldon salt. It's colourful, seasonal, and comes together in minutes.

Set The Scene

The best parties aren't complicated. We start with a beautiful tablecloth that my mother-in-law brought from Morocco, add plenty of tea-lights, and turn on a Yacht Rock playlist. Instantly, the backyard feels like a vacation. I light a Flamingo Estate candle in our guest bathroom, and love having a fresh bar of their gorgeous soaps. For aperitivo hour, we'll put out Masa chips and salsa alongside carrots, celery, and hummus. Easy, crowd-pleasing, and no cooking required.

The Bun Matters

A great burger deserves a great bun. We're firmly on Team Potato Bun. Soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold everything together.