What to Buy for a Barbecue Festival

A barbecue festival needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan food and drinks by guest count, then check that you have enough serving ware, coolers, cooking tools and outdoor furniture. Refrigerate meat as soon as you bring it home, and allow time to prepare vegetables, salads and marinades before guests arrive. This list also covers the items people often remember too late, such as a gas regulator, extension cord, meat thermometer and weather cover.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 8
Folding chairqty 70
Buffet tableqty 4
Standing tableqty 4

Tableware

Reusable plateqty 80
Reusable bowlqty 70
Reusable cutleryqty 80
Drinking glassqty 100
Wine glassqty 50
Trayqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonqty 8

Equipment

Barbecueqty 4
Gas cylinderqty 4
Gas pressure regulatorqty 4
Cool boxqty 6
Coffee maker
Kettle
Extension cordqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Mixing bowlqty 6
Aluminum trayqty 20
Meat thermometerqty 2
Oven mittqty 6
Barbecue tongsqty 8
Barbecue brushqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Table runnerqty 8
Menu boardqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binqty 6
Bucketqty 4
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Reusable kitchen towelqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 80 pieces
- Sausages - 80 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 70 pieces
- Chicken thigh fillet - 5 kilograms
- Spareribs - 5 kilogram
- Pork satay - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 30 pieces
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Eggplants - 8 pieces
- Zucchini - 10 pieces
- Bell peppers - 15 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Red onions - 3 kilogram
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Corn in cans - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 4 kilograms
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 90 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 90 pieces
- Garlic bread - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 10 tubs
- Sliced cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cheddar - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Satay sauce - 4 jars
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Barbecue spice mix - 4 bags
- Lemons - 15 pieces
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Pilsener - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Popsicles - 80 pieces
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces
- Barbecue coal - 30 kilograms
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan roughly 250–350 g of meat or vegetarian barbecue food per adult, then add salads, bread and vegetables. Keep separate portions ready for guests with dietary requirements.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour. Chill drinks in the cool boxes before guests arrive rather than filling them at the last minute.
Check the barbecue setup at least one day ahead: test the gas cylinder, gas pressure regulator and ignition, and keep barbecue tongs, oven mitts and a brush beside the cooking area.
Prepare salads, vegetables and marinades several hours before serving, but keep meat refrigerated until it is ready to cook. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and ready-to-eat food.
Set up tables, chairs, buffet space and the party tent at least two hours before the festival starts. Check extension cords, lighting and the weather forecast before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much meat do I need for a barbecue festival?: Buy about 250–350 g of meat or vegetarian barbecue food per adult, depending on how many salads, bread and side dishes you serve. For children, plan around 125–200 g each.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for each following hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill them several hours before serving.
When should I buy and prepare the barbecue food?: Buy fresh meat no earlier than one day before the event and store it refrigerated immediately. Prepare vegetables, salads and marinades a few hours before guests arrive, while keeping raw meat cold until cooking.
What barbecue equipment do I need to check before the event?: Check the barbecue, gas cylinder, gas pressure regulator, cooking tongs, oven mitt, brush and meat thermometer at least one day beforehand. Test any extension cord and confirm that the cooking area is stable and safely positioned.

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