What to buy for a diploma barbecue

A diploma barbecue needs more than meat, bread, and drinks. Plan the shopping around your final guest count, including vegetarian portions, salads, sauces, ice, and enough tableware for the buffet. Buy chilled food as late as practical and keep it cold until the barbecue is ready. This checklist also covers the items people often remember too late, such as gas cylinders, serving utensils, coffee supplies, and extension cords.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Aluminum grill traysqty 6
Ice packsqty 16
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 80
Welcome sign

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Tea towelsqty 12
Towelsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed green salad - 3 kilograms
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Cheddar slices - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 2 liters
- Yogurt dressing - 2 liters
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Satay skewers - 100 pieces
- Plain tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 4 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Cake - 2 cakes
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Barbecue briquettes - 10 kilogram
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 3 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Confirm the final guest count before shopping, then allow at least one vegetarian portion per guest who requested it plus a small buffer. Use the dietary requirements collected with the registrations to separate meat, vegetarian, and other special items.
Plan drinks by time rather than guesswork: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour. Chill the first batch in coolers and have ice packs ready for food that must stay cold.
Buy or check tableware for every guest, with at least 10% extra plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery. Count serving platters and serving tongs separately; they are needed for the buffet even when every guest brings their own plate.
Check the barbecue setup before the shopping trip: each gas barbecue needs a suitable gas cylinder, and a spare cylinder prevents the grill from stopping during the meal. Add aluminum grill trays to keep vegetarian products separate from meat.
Do not leave coffee and power supplies until the event day. Count coffee cups, kettles, coffee pots, and thermos flasks, then test extension cords and power strips before setting up speakers or lighting.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a diploma barbecue?: For a main meal, plan roughly 300 to 400 grams of meat, vegetarian products, and side dishes per adult in total. Add at least 10% extra for late confirmations, larger appetites, or food that cannot be reused safely.
How many drinks should I buy for a diploma barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one drink per person per following hour. For a four-hour event, that is around five to six drinks per guest, with water and alcohol-free options included.
When should I buy the meat and salads?: Buy fresh meat and prepared salads no earlier than one day before the barbecue, unless they can be safely frozen or kept chilled. Keep them refrigerated or in coolers at 4°C or below until cooking or serving.
How many plates and glasses do I need?: Provide one plate, bowl, glass, and cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% spare. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 of each item so replacements are available during the buffet.

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