To the PP who suggested Suzysq - can you tell me more about him? I read his web page and really like what I saw. Have you hired him for parties?

Anonymous wrote:All I can say is, that is utterly lame (hiring someone to grill at your BBQ). If you don't get that, well, there are probably a lot of things you don't get.

OP, I think hiring a cook sounds like a great idea.

Anonymous wrote:A garden party is hats and print dresses and finger sandwiches. The only children in attendance are dressed like they should be props in a pottery barn catalogue, and are playing quietly by themselves. White napkins and crystal
.
Sounds like you want to host a bbq

English is my first language, I never knew this definition. Must be an upper class thing.

All I can say is, that is utterly lame (hiring someone to grill at your BBQ). If you don't get that, well, there are probably a lot of things you don't get.

This guy is the king of BBQ.

http://www.suzysq.com/

Anonymous wrote: I feel like that might be a place to find a college student who knows how to grill a burger and could use some extra cash.

Grill a burger?
Why have a burger party when you could have real meat?

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

It is a garden party (ca. 30 people) for adults and kids. We would like to serve BBQ. We also want to supply the ingredients. It would be great if a lurking chef could provide a menu and material and labor costs.

What are you trying to accomplish by supplying your own ingredients. Are you mostly looking to save money or are there some things you want prepared a certain way?

It sounds like OP is not looking to cater in the food, just to have someone man the grill and cook the food that she prepared so that her DH can actually enjoy the party (or help with the kids, or the 1000 other things you have to do when you entertain). I don't have a suggestion, OP, but it sounds like a great idea. Ideally that person would help with general cleanup after the grilling portion is over. Do you have a neighborhood listserv? I feel like that might be a place to find a college student who knows how to grill a burger and could use some extra cash.

R&R Catering

Check catering companies as many have onsite grilling.

I second Rocklands.

Thanks for clearing that up - it's a backyard BBQ then

A garden party is hats and print dresses and finger sandwiches. The only children in attendance are dressed like they should be props in a pottery barn catalogue, and are playing quietly by themselves. White napkins and crystal
.
Sounds like you want to host a bbq

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

It is a garden party (ca. 30 people) for adults and kids. We would like to serve BBQ. We also want to supply the ingredients. It would be great if a lurking chef could provide a menu and material and labor costs.

What you are having is a backyard BBQ. Garden parties are where women wear wide-brimmed hats and tea dresses, e.g., it is a dresss-up affair, cucumber sandwiches and tea are served, not BBQ.

I'd bet a personal chef would do it, and perhaps contract their own person for the grilling.

Anonymous wrote:a garden party? I would not go to a bbq if someone called it a garden party. I might throw up on the flowers after drinking too much

English is not my first language so maybe you can help me out. What would you expect from a 'garden party'?

I just meant that it is in our garden/backyard