Having an Autumn Cookout - The Easy Way

Imagine my thoughts as my husband told me he had been asked to host a company cookout at our house. This was not just a regular company cookout; this was to entertain Honda Senior Managers that had been brought in from all over the country to oversee the new 1700 acre, one million square foot Honda auto assembly plant in Greensburg, Indiana. Hubby was one of six senior managers for the hired by Honda to construct the facility, and since we lived in close proximity to the new site he was "volunteered" to host this event. Since there was no polite way to refuse, I found myself planning a cookout for 20 people and their spouses. Only a few of these people knew each other.

With only 2 weeks, I had to start immediately on the cleaning and getting things ready. This was to be the first weekend in October, usually cool in the evenings by then. For a cookout, I decided we would have the whole party outside unless the weather didn't permit. We already have a fire pit that would be perfect for keeping warm. The owner of the Construction Management firm had already decided on wanting a relaxed, informal, and comfortable, so people could get to know each other. He wanted hamburgers and hotdogs and whatever side dishes I wanted to get. He was going to bring beer instead of the usual mixed drinks and wine. At this point I decided it would be a real cookout, we would cook hotdogs over the fire. Hubby would have the grill going with hamburgers. There would be a card table set up next to the grill with the hotdog and hamburger buns.

Things were starting to come together and I now had a good idea of what I wanted to do. I got some plastic table clothes to cover the card tables. One card table would be on our deck and on it I put 2 crock pots close to the electric outlets. One of these would be full of hot chocolate. Very easy to do, fill with hot water and add some Swiss Miss. The second one was full of hot spiced apple cider: simply turn the crock pot on low and pour in the apple cider. I used a package of spiced apple cider mix from the grocery store. Put a ladle in each one and some Styrofoam cups and let everyone help themselves. This was simple and easy to do. Almost everyone said how good it was and some even asked for the recipe.

On the other side of the deck I put a long table to hold the food. The menu was baked beans in a crock pot, a bowl of potato salad, a bowl of macaroni salad, sliced tomatoes, spinach dip with Hawaiian bread, fresh cut up fruit that I put in a punch bowl.(I love the way this looks), a veggie tray, hamburgers and hotdogs. Desert was smores which were cooked on the open fire.

It was a great party. I really think everyone had a good time. With plenty of long grill forks, cooking the hotdogs actually became an easy conversation starter. By the end of the evening everyone was talking and getting to know each other.