What to Buy for a Farewell Barbecue

A farewell barbecue needs more than meat and a grill. This shopping list covers food preparation, drinks, serving items, cooking equipment and outdoor setup for your confirmed guest count. Buy shelf-stable supplies first, then pick up fresh groceries shortly before the event. Check dietary requirements before ordering meat, vegetarian portions and sauces, so nobody is left without a suitable meal.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

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

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 25
Reusable glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 4
Aluminum traysqty 10
Storage binsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling film

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 40
Tableclothsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 40 pieces
- Marinated chicken breast - 3 kilogram
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 500 grams
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Corn cobs - 20 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Feta cheese - 500 gram
- Grated cheese - 750 grams
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 750 milliliters
- Barbecue sauce - 750 milliliters
- Mustard - 500 milliliter
- Chili sauce - 500 milliliter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Barbecue spice mix - 2 sachets
- Water - 48 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic wine - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Watermelons - 2 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Charcoal - 12 kilograms

Tips

Work from the final guest count and allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per hour after that. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive.
Buy fresh meat, meat alternatives, vegetables and salad ingredients no more than 1 day ahead. Keep raw meat and alternatives sealed and separated until they go on the barbecue.
Plan at least 1 reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus around 10% extra for breakages, dropped items and second servings.
Set aside separate serving spoons and tongs for salads, sauces and vegetarian food. This prevents meat juices from getting onto portions reserved for vegetarian guests.
Do not leave the practical items until the last shop: aluminum trays, foil, cling film, storage bins, coolers and lighting are easy to forget and difficult to replace during setup.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a farewell barbecue?: For each adult, plan roughly 250–350 g of meat and meat alternatives, plus 200–250 g of salads and vegetables. Add 10% extra if the barbecue is the main meal or guests are likely to stay for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 per person for every following hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options for the full guest count, not only for drivers or children.
When should I buy fresh barbecue food?: Buy fresh meat, meat alternatives and vegetables the day before, or on the day itself if possible. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep perishable food cold until cooking.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Start with one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10% spare. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each reusable item where practical.

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