Hog Roast Timperley – Garden Party in the Sun
Today we were over in Timperley providing a hog roast for a private garden party, just tucked away off one of the quieter residential roads not far from the pleasant Bridgewater Canal.
Timperley is one of those places we seem to be in more and more lately. It’s got a nice balance to it, a bit more polished than some areas, but still very relaxed when it comes to hosting events. Plenty of space, good houses for perfect garden setups. I actually come here myself on days off to relax and have a coffee in the lovely village of Timperley. There is some really nice independent shops here, and I can also recommend the Stonemasons Arms. A very nice pub indeed.
Today’s event was just a private party, just for the sake of it. Debbie and John had invited 40 of their friends and family just for a drink, some food, and a good old get together. The weather definitely helped on this one, a sunny afternoon rolling into a warm evening. Exactly the sort of setup where a hog roast just fits perfectly.
SETTING UP AND GETTING READY
We arrived bang on 2:00 pm for a 4:00 pm serve time, giving us plenty of time to get everything going. Access was nice and straightforward; we were able to get the van close enough, which always makes a difference. We go to events blind and are never sure what awaits, so it’s always a bonus when we have easy access. We have had to lift ovens and equipment up 3 flights of stairs in the past. Anyway, at this event, we were set up in just 15 minutes, with the hog roasting away.
It’s something people always comment on, how quickly it all comes together. One minute it’s an empty space, next minute there’s a full hog roast setup running. The van always surprises people as well. We run most events out of a Vito, and it never fails to surprise people that it actually came out of a van so small! That’s a combination of packing it perfectly, but also having the perfect-sized flight cases for our equipment. Not only does it help protect things, it also helps us organise the hog roast van.
Guests were already outside enjoying the weather when we got there. Drinks in hand, music on, and that steady build-up you get before food is served. You could tell early on it was going to be a good one.
As always, we didn’t stay unnoticed for long.
People started wandering over:
“How long’s that been cooking?”
“What time are we eating?”
“Is the crackling ready yet?”
And of course, the usual question from the kids (and a few adults):
“What’s it called?”
Same answer as always… “Peppa Pig.” Well generally it is, the odd time it’s Porky Pig.
4 pm arrived and it’s time for us to get into action. Fresh rolls, sage and onion stuffing, warm apple sauce and our Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce all going together. Real simple, quality food, done right.
The rolls were fresh that morning, and you can always tell the difference. Soft, warm, and they hold everything together properly. It’s something people don’t always think about, but it makes a big difference when everything comes together in the roll like it should. The bread is actually one of the biggest parts of it. Get a bad bread roll and you just don’t get a good sandwich.
The crackling didn’t last long, it never does. There’s always a few hovering, trying to get in early. We never say no. If it’s ready, it’s there to be eaten.
One thing we noticed at this hog roast Timperley event was how quickly people came back for seconds. You always spot it straight away, same faces back in the queue again. It’s a good sign and happens every event.
The sides went down really well too. We had a full setup alongside the hog roast, which just takes the pressure off the hosts completely. People underestimate what’s involved in doing sides for 80–100 people. It’s not just throwing a few bowls out. It’s prep, timing, topping up, and making sure everything still looks right as the event goes on.
Coleslaw, Caprese Salad and Warm Baby Potatoes were ordered for this event. The potatoes, small chats, boiled to perfection, then mixed with great quality farmhouse butter, some sea salt and a mix of fresh herbs. Absolutely gorgeous and complement the meal so well.
A GREAT DAY IN TIMPERLEY
The atmosphere all the way through was spot on. Proper relaxed, plenty of laughs, kids running about, and everyone just enjoying themselves.
These are the types of events that suit what we do best. No rigid structure, no stress, just good food being served as people want it.
We had everyone fed in around 30 minutes, nice steady flow, no big queues, and no pressure on anyone. We always wait around extra, for the seconds and thirds. Then we judge it when people have moved on from the food and slowly start packing away. Debbie brought some glass tubs, and we left all the hog roast that was left over. It was a large-sized hog, 60kg, for so few people. You can never guarantee an exact size hog when ordering.
Pack down was just as straightforward. With everything being in the garden and access nearby, we were all wrapped up and on our way for 5:30 pm
We’ve now catered quite a few hog roast Timperley events this year, well 5 to be exact, along with nearby areas like Altrincham, Sale and Hale, and it’s always the same story. Good crowds, well-run events, and a relaxed feel to the day.
Another really enjoyable one for us.