Cooking party shopping list

A cooking party needs more than ingredients. You will also need enough cutting boards, knives, pans, bowls, serving dishes and tableware for several groups to work at once. Plan portions from the final guest list, then separate ingredients by recipe and workstation. Buy fresh produce shortly before the event, chill drinks in advance and check equipment before guests arrive so cooking does not stop because one pan or measuring cup is missing.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Stoolsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knifeqty 8
Paring knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 6
Measuring spoonsqty 6
Frying pansqty 6
Cooking potsqty 6
Baking dishesqty 6
Baking traysqty 4
Colandersqty 6
Wooden spoonsqty 8
Spatulasqty 8
Ladlesqty 6
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Oven mittsqty 4
Kitchen scalesqty 4
Kitchen thermometersqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Storage binsqty 12

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 36
Dessert platesqty 36
Drinking glassesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 32
Cutlery setsqty 36

Equipment

Hot platesqty 4
Immersion blendersqty 2
Kitchen timersqty 6
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Menusqty 6
Name badgesqty 32

Lighting

String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Basmati rice - 3 kilogram
- Spaghetti - 2 kilogram
- Penne - 2 kilograms
- Tortilla wraps - 40 pieces
- Pizza bases - 8 pieces
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 10 cans
- Tomato paste - 6 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Ground beef - 3 kilograms
- Halloumi - 1.5 kilograms
- Eggs - 36 pieces
- Parmesan cheese - 600 grams
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilograms
- Mozzarella - 1 kilogram
- Feta - 800 grams
- Greek yogurt - 2 kilograms
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Broccoli - 4 heads
- Spinach - 1.5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 4 bunches
- Fresh coriander - 4 bunches
- Ginger - 300 grams
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Chili flakes - 1 jar
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Red wine vinegar - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Sriracha - 2 bottles
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Flour - 2 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Baking powder - 2 sachets
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 3 liters
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Coffee - 500 grams
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 3 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 kilograms
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Tea towels - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 2 packs

Tips

Plan one complete ingredient set per cooking group, plus about 10% extra for spills, trimming and second servings. Confirm allergies and dietary requirements before buying anything.
Allow at least one cutting board and one chef’s knife per workstation. Add paring knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons so groups are not waiting to share basic tools.
Match cookware to the recipes before shopping: count the required frying pans, cooking pots, baking dishes and trays, then check whether your oven and hot plates can handle them at the same time.
Buy fresh herbs, vegetables, fruit and other chilled ingredients no earlier than 1–2 days before the party. Keep drinks cold for at least 3 hours before guests arrive.
Count tableware for every guest and add 10% spare pieces: plates, dessert plates, glasses, cutlery and coffee cups. Buy or prepare storage bins, foil and cling film for leftovers before the cooking starts.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a cooking party?: Buy the ingredients for the chosen recipes, plus cooking equipment for each group: cutting boards, knives, bowls, measuring tools, pans, pots and utensils. You also need tableware, drinks, storage containers and cleaning supplies. Check quantities against the final guest list at least 3–5 days before the party.
How much food should I buy for a cooking party?: Calculate the recipe portions for the confirmed number of guests and add about 10% extra for preparation waste and second servings. For drinks, plan roughly 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour.
How many kitchen tools do I need per cooking group?: Provide at least one cutting board, chef’s knife, mixing bowl and set of measuring tools per group. For shared equipment such as ovens, frying pans and cooking pots, check the recipes and allow enough time for groups to use them without queuing.
When should I buy ingredients for a cooking party?: Buy pantry ingredients and drinks 2–5 days beforehand. Buy fresh produce, herbs and chilled items 1–2 days before the event, and check them again on the day of the party before setting up the workstations.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.