Deciding to roast a whole pig is quite a feat and requires a lot of planning for a successful outcome. It may sound like a glorified barbecue, but the details that go into the execution and the time and effort involved in proper cooking are no small adventure.

Pork roast traditionally has its roots in the cultures of the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean, specifically in Hawaii, the Philippines and Cuba. It is even known to be practiced in some areas of southern China. It is a very common practice for New Years celebrations and has been extended to include Christmas, Christmas Eve, and even Thanksgiving. Now pork roast has infiltrated common American culture and is often called a pork bite in the Deep South.

As a result, there are several traditional styles for dressing and seasoning your pork, each with a unique cooking style and flavor. Cooking options and methods should be thoroughly researched before attempting a pork roast on your own, and having an experienced roaster with you can go a long way!

So what important things need to be noted?

1. Who when? – With a whole pig to roast, you better plan to have a lot of guests. Events that are large require enough lead time for people to clear time in their schedules. Decide on a date and start compiling your guest list right away. Send out the invitations as soon as possible so your friends and family know what date to save.
2. How big is a pig? – The common hog will weigh over 100 pounds, which translates to a lot of meat to serve and eat. However, pigs are available in weight ranges, and you can even order a younger, smaller pig to suit smaller occasions. If you are unsure of the size of an animal you need, be sure to request a guest count estimate when placing your order.
3. Extra Help: Having an experienced chef on hand is a great idea. But more than that, cooking a pig takes hours. Make sure you gather enough volunteers so that the barbecue can be seen in shifts at all times. Leaving your kitchen unattended could result in disastrous results, both for your food and its location.
4. Roasting Tools / Kit – When looking at ways to roast a pig, the options can seem as varied as the stars in the sky. Try to take a look at the seasoning you want first before finalizing with a cooking method. Different styles may have different cooking methods, so they can help steer you in the right direction. Also, see which method might be more practical for the space you will be using for your celebration.
5. Seasoning – Every culture that has a tradition of roasting pork has created their own unique seasoning styles. Additionally, these styles have been modified and mixed over time to create unique offshoots. You will find Hawaiian style, Cuban style, Caja China, Puerto Rican and even Filipino to start. You can even buy your pork professionally seasoned and 100% ready to start grilling!
6. Venue Location – A large meal and a large number of guests are likely not going to fit in the average person’s backyard. Start early to visit large places like parks and community centers. Keep in mind that not all venues will suit this style of cooking, so do some research before selecting a location.
7. Address time: Because such a large animal takes so long to cook, time is perhaps the most important point in making your event a success. Take into account the weight of the pork and the estimated cooking times based on your specific cooking method. Some cooking styles require more than 24 hours to cook, while others only need 4-6 hours. Get a firm understanding of how long your pork is going to require and plan to have all of your roasting helpers ready to go well in advance.
8. Equipment rental: not all available venues will be equipped with tables and chairs. Make sure you secure enough rentals for all your guests, as well as buy cutlery in bulk. Plates, glasses, napkins and cutlery (or plastic cutlery) must be purchased in excess of the total number of guests.
9. Additional Entertainment – While you wait for the big meal to begin, your guests will have plenty of free time. Adults will be happy to mingle and mingle, but recreational activities will help the evening run smoothly. If there will be children at your event, they will need a lot to keep them busy.
10. Sides and Drinks: While their amazing roast is the main event, no meal is complete with just one dish! Be sure to include a variety of sides and drinks for your guests to choose from, and don’t forget to have enough for everyone. If you want to cook these dishes at home too, make sure you have enough support and hands to accomplish everything.

When in doubt, the best advice you can get is from an experienced roaster. Find some books at your local bookstore or library. Spend enough time planning and your event will run smoothly. Enjoy!