Arts & Entertainment
Upping the Ante on Your Summer Cookout with Outdoor Kitchens
For decades, kitchens have become the main core behind family interactions. When it comes to my husband and I, our kitchen is the undisputed heart of our home — we thoroughly enjoy cooking together. It’s a time when we get to be together outside of our busy lives and do something we both have a passion for. We love anything and everything food. We love to entertain guests and show off our “mastery chef swag.”
With outdoor kitchens becoming a trend that many have already taken the opportunity to jump on, you too can enjoy the southern weather outside in your own little outdoor kitchen. A summer cookout is amongst some of the top pleasurable things to do when the sun is shining, kids are having sleep overs and you and your friends are enjoying cocktails by the pool. The only bummer there is the fact that you’re running back and forth between the grill and the kitchen to gather those burger patties you left in the refrigerator or the plates you left sitting by the sink. It simply cuts into you and your guest’s time.
Having an outdoor kitchen can help you put all those items and many more at an arm’s reach by simply adding a storage cabinet or going all out and building your dream outdoor kitchen. One thing to keep in mind is that an outdoor kitchen should not compete with your indoor kitchen. There are many differences, and although you want your outdoor kitchen to be as elaborate as your indoor one, there’s no need in it.
An existing backyard patio makes for the perfect setting of your new outdoor kitchen. The foundation is already down and now all you need to do is plan what all you want and need for your new kitchen. It’s essential to keep the outdoor kitchen as close to the house as possible, saving you steps if you need to go inside for supplies.
The second step to planning your space is making sure the spot you have chosen will accommodate all of your needs. Is the spot structurally modified enough to fit your grill, eating space, storage cabinets and counter space? You’ll need enough space to structure the grill where it doesn’t blow smoke right into your guest’s face. Also, do you have enough room not only for storage space and counters, but for your family and friends to sit, eat and enjoy themselves? Making the setup efficient will keep kids and other incoming traffic out of your working space when trying to prep burgers and throw them on the grill.
If you throw a lot of parties or like to entertain guests frequently, then think about going a little more above and beyond with your outdoor kitchen. Not only does it add value to your home, it gives you the opportunity to have more leisure time with your friends. Things to include: a grill, a mini or large refrigerator, storage cabinets, sinks, and even a gas patio heater for those colder months to keep the party going.
Ready to start planing your outdoor kitchen?
Brittany Bugg is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at brittany.bug@hottytoddy.com.
Last week it was announced Grammy award-winning artist Post Malone cancelled the Oxford stop that was part of his Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2.
That concert was going to be held inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, giving the iconic venue an interesting, temporary environment.
But fans of Post Malone will have a chance to see the artist without having to travel across the country.
Post Malone will be a headlining act at the 2026 Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam in Panama City Beach. Malone will cap off the four-day music festival as main performer on Sunday, May 31.
pov: you thought you missed Post Malone… but he’s still headlining in PCB on May 31 🤠
don’t miss him at Gulf Coast Jam — grab your tickets now 🎟️#posty #cancelledshow #gulfcoastjam #pcb #panamacitybeach pic.twitter.com/6P5LX6Xfwu
— Gulf Coast Jam (@GulfCoastJam) May 5, 2026
The Country On The Coast™ festival lineup also includes headliners Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, and Riley Green, who will be joined by more than 20 artists at Frank Brown Park in beautiful Panama City Beach May 28-31, 2026. Passes are currently available at www.GulfCoastJam.com. Payment plans are available for all pass levels.
Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam drew sellout crowds of 30,000 for the past two years. Music Festival Wizard named Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam the number one festival in their
Top 50 Most Popular Fests in the World 2024 – Voter’s Choice poll and their Best Beach Music Festivals This Summer in 2025.
Post Malone, born Austin Post, is one of the most commercially successful artists of the last decade, blending hip‑hop, pop, and country influences into a style that’s made him a fixture on radio and streaming charts. He’s known for hits like Circles, Rockstar, and Sunflower, and for a touring schedule that usually packs stadiums and arenas. His shows tend to draw a wide mix of fans, which is part of why the Oxford date had been circled on the calendar for months.
Who? When?
The schedule will tell you!! Save to your phone to refer back to!
Tickets available at:https://t.co/BraelVgALX#festival #panamacitybeach #countrymusic #jimbeam #countryonthecoast pic.twitter.com/lLANeqrNsG
— Gulf Coast Jam (@GulfCoastJam) April 24, 2026
Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam 2026 Lineup
Thursday, May 28
- Keith Urban
- Jessie Murph
- Wyatt Flores
- Cooper Alan
- Walker Montgomery
- Gannon Fremin & CCREV
Friday, May 29
- Chris Stapleton
- Marcus King
- Jackson Dean
- Brent Cobb
- Cole Goodwin
- Hueston
Saturday, May 30
- Riley Green
- Koe Wetzel
- Ole 60
- Josh Ross
- Ashland Craft
- Hannah McFarland
Sunday, May 31
- Post Malone
- Muscadine Bloodline
- 49 Winchester
- Elizabeth Nichols
- Them Dirty Roses
- Skeez
Post Malone has canceled five shows on his upcoming Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2, including the Oxford stop at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Post Malone’s summer stadium run is getting pushed back, and Oxford is among the cities losing a show. The artist announced Friday that he is canceling all May dates on his Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2, citing the need for more time to finish his new music. In a handwritten message posted to Instagram, he told fans he wasn’t ready to launch the tour as scheduled and needed roughly three more weeks to complete the project.
The cancellations include stops in El Paso, Waco, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Tampa, and Oxford, where Post Malone and Jelly Roll had been scheduled to perform at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on June 5. The Oxford date was one of several college‑town shows cut from the first leg of the tour.
Ole Miss Athletics notified ticketholders Friday that refunds for the Oxford show will be processed immediately. Fans who purchased through the school’s ticket office were told to expect refunds within 14 days, covering admission, parking, fees, and VIP packages. Third‑party buyers were directed to contact their ticket sellers.
While Malone emphasized that the delay is about finishing his upcoming double album, several of the canceled shows had reportedly struggled with ticket sales, with some venues offering discounts and student promotions in recent weeks. Widespread ticket availability at multiple venues was reported by Digital Music News, which cited seating charts and pricing data showing large sections unsold in the weeks leading up to the tour.
The rescheduled tour is now set to begin June 12 in Indianapolis.
Post Malone, born Austin Post, is one of the most commercially successful artists of the last decade, blending hip‑hop, pop, and country influences into a style that’s made him a fixture on radio and streaming charts. He’s known for hits like Circles, Rockstar, and Sunflower, and for a touring schedule that usually packs stadiums and arenas. His shows tend to draw a wide mix of fans, which is part of why the Oxford date had been circled on the calendar for months.
By AJ Norwood and Justin Claas
Journalism Students
Oxford restaurants such as The Blind Pig and Proud Larry’s are looking to make their outdoor seating areas permanent. However, they have a lot of hoops to jump through with the city in order to make that happen.
The owner of Proud Larry’s, Scott Caradine, says that the city thinks these outdoor seating options are a good thing, but some remodeling needs to be done in order for this to take place.
“Their plan is to keep them year-round, but they want to make them permanent and they want them to look nice,” Scott said.
The Blind Pig is a restaurant that didn’t originally offer an outdoor seating experience. Despite this, manager David Moore says that this is something that the Blind Pig has always been interested in pursuing.
“We have been really eager to invest in our outdoor dining to make it more worthy of the Square,” Moore said.
While these restaurants are still making plans to improve their outdoor dining experience, the city officials have not made a final decision on what to do. Caradine says that this is something that he hopes they can continue in the future to satisfy their customers.
“We hope they make it permanent,” Caradine said. “We look forward to them making something permanent here so we can use it because we like it. Our customers like it.”
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