Your summer plans are booked, the grill is hot, and somehow the simple question “what should we bring?” ignites stress. We sit down with Janet Loughran, aka Chef Life Hacks, to share the kind of real-world grilling tips, picnic hacks, and beach-day fixes that make you feel like you planned everything on purpose, even if you didn't. 

We talk charcoal grilling and an unexpectedly effective way to clean grill grates. Janet also breaks down cooking techniques that instantly upgrade your plate, from steaks to skewers. From transporting food in the car, keeping hot dishes warm, and portion planning for cookouts, Chef Janet shares easy tips for anyone. 

For beach picnic ideas, we dig into foods that hold up in the heat, including a pressed Italian muffuletta style sandwich that gets better as it sits, plus watermelon picking tips you will never forget and a couple family-friendly beach hacks for sand and valuables.

Find Janet on Instagram and Facebook @Chef.Life.Hacks and learn more at redwagonmeals.net. If this helps your next cookout, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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