What you need for a gourmet evening

A gourmet evening needs more than meat, vegetables and a gourmet set. Plan the tableware, serving dishes, sauces, bread, dessert and drinks around your confirmed guest count. Check dietary requirements before shopping, then keep meat and fish refrigerated until preparation. This list also covers the easily missed practical items, such as extension cords, coolers, cutting boards and separate serving utensils for vegetarian ingredients.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 22
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 24
Dessert platesqty 24
Bowlsqty 24
Water glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 24
Coffee cupsqty 24
Forksqty 30
Knivesqty 30
Spoonsqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving utensilsqty 10

Equipment

Gourmet setsqty 5
Extension cordsqty 5
Power stripsqty 5
Coffee maker
Kettle

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 5
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 5
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Coolersqty 3
Serving tongsqty 8
Kitchen thermometer
Aluminum foilqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 5
Napkin holdersqty 6

Lighting

Table lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef steak - 1.2 kg
- Chicken breast - 1.2 kg
- Pork fillet - 800 g
- Mini burgers - 24 pieces
- Chipolata sausages - 24 pieces
- Shrimp - 800 g
- Salmon fillet - 600 g
- Halloumi - 500 g
- Tofu - 500 g
- Mushrooms - 1 kg
- Zucchini - 4 pieces
- Mixed peppers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Leeks - 4 pieces
- Cherry Tomatoes - 1 kg
- Broccoli - 2 heads
- Cauliflower - 1 piece
- Corn cobs - 6 pieces
- Potatoes - 3 kg
- Mixed lettuce - 600 g
- Cucumbers - 3 pieces
- Avocados - 4 pieces
- Grapes - 1 kg
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Fresh parsley - 2 bunches
- Fresh chives - 2 tubs
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 500 g
- Grated cheese - 1 kg
- Slices of cheddar - 400 g
- Eggs - 12 pieces
- Cooking cream - 1 liter
- Crème fraîche - 500 g
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 1 bottle
- Cocktail sauce - 1 bottle
- Satay sauce - 1 jar
- Chili sauce - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Soy sauce - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Vanilla ice cream - 2 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 1 bottle
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Brownies - 24 pieces
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 2 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 2 cartons
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 3 packs

Tips

Confirm the final number of guests before you shop, ideally 2–3 days ahead. Use that number to match gourmet sets, chairs, plates, glasses and serving portions.
Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive and keep extra bottles in coolers.
Prepare meat, fish and shrimp on separate cutting boards from vegetables. Keep raw meat and fish refrigerated until shortly before the meal, and use a kitchen thermometer to check cooked portions.
Set aside separate serving utensils and platters for vegetarian ingredients before placing food on the table. This prevents shared tongs or spoons from being used across dietary options.
Check power access before setting up the gourmet sets. Count the available sockets, place extension cords and power strips safely, and keep cables away from walkways and spilled drinks.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a gourmet evening?: Plan meat, fish and shrimp, vegetables, vegetarian ingredients, sauces and dips, salads, bread with herb butter, and dessert. Prepare and portion the food after confirming the guest count, preferably on the day of the meal.
How many gourmet sets do I need?: Check the capacity of each gourmet set and match it to the confirmed number of guests. As a practical guide, one set for 4–6 people usually works, but reserve them at least 1–2 weeks ahead if they are rented or borrowed.
How much tableware do I need for a gourmet evening?: Provide one dinner plate, fork, knife, water glass and wine glass per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add dessert plates, spoons, coffee cups and serving utensils before setting the table.
When should I buy and prepare the food?: Buy fresh meat, fish and shrimp no more than 1 day before the evening and keep them refrigerated. Wash and cut vegetables, prepare salads and set out sauces on the day itself; keep raw ingredients cold until serving.

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