What you need for an iftar evening

An iftar evening needs more than the meal itself. Plan food and drinks around the number of guests, then check that you have enough plates, bowls, glasses, serving dishes and kitchen equipment for the full group. Keep chilled drinks and fresh produce on a separate shopping run if possible. Also allow time for dietary requirements, allergen information and prayer times before you finalize quantities or buy perishable ingredients.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 4
Changing room screenqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 75
Teacupsqty 75
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Teaspoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving bowlsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 12
Water jugsqty 10
Prayer matsqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Cooking potsqty 6
Frying pansqty 4
Baking dishesqty 8
Measuring spoonsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 20
Serving trays with lidsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Food warmersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Microphone
Speakerqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 12
Name badgesqty 70
Menu cardsqty 12
Paper garlandsqty 8
LED string lightsqty 6

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Dates - 6 kilos
- Dried apricots - 2 kilos
- Oranges - 8 kilo
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Yellow onions - 5 kilos
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Celery - 3 stalks
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Zucchinis - 4 kilos
- Eggplants - 3 kilos
- Coriander - 12 bunches
- Parsley - 10 bunches
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Chickpeas - 10 cans
- Lentils - 5 kilo
- Red lentils - 4 kilos
- Rice - 12 kilo
- Couscous - 5 kilos
- Vermicelli - 2 kilos
- Wheat Flour - 3 kilo
- Semolina - 2 kilo
- Chicken breast - 10 kilo
- Chicken thighs - 8 kg
- Ground beef - 6 kilos
- Lamb - 6 kilos
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 20 cans
- Vegetable bouillon - 40 tablets
- Chicken bouillon - 40 tablets
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Cumin - 500 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Ginger powder - 250 grams
- Chili powder - 250 grams
- Ras el hanout - 500 grams
- Bay leaves - 2 bags
- Saffron - 5 grams
- Harissa - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Hummus - 5 kilos
- Olives - 4 kilos
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Pita bread - 80 pieces
- Arabic bread - 12 packs
- Puff pastry - 10 packs
- Honey - 3 jars
- Sugar - 5 kilo
- Icing sugar - 2 kilos
- Vanilla sugar - 10 sachets
- Baking powder - 10 sachets
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Almonds - 2 kilos
- Walnuts - 2 kilos
- Pistachios - 1 kilo
- Filo pastry - 10 packs
- Chocolate - 2 kilos
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Black tea - 200 bags
- Mint tea - 100 bags
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Water - 80 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coffee milk - 6 packs
- Tea sweeteners - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 80 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Cardboard takeaway containers - 40 pieces

Tips

Plan one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% extra plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 of each frequently used item.
Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then add extra water for the meal. Prepare enough jugs or dispensers that guests do not need to queue for every refill.
Buy fresh vegetables and other perishable ingredients one day before the meal, or on the morning itself. Wash and cut vegetables only after checking the refrigerator space and available preparation time.
Count serving equipment separately from guest tableware. For a buffet, prepare at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs for each dish, and use lidded trays or food containers for anything prepared early.
Check kitchen capacity before shopping for large quantities. If the venue has limited pots, pans, baking dishes or refrigerator space, plan cooking in batches and label stored food with allergens and the serving time.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for an iftar evening?: For a main meal, plan roughly 500–700 g of prepared food per adult, including soup, main dishes, sides and dessert. Add about 10% extra when attendance is uncertain or guests may arrive without registering.
How many plates and glasses do I need for iftar?: Count one plate, soup bowl, dessert plate, glass and full set of cutlery per guest, then add 10% spare. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 of each item that will be used throughout the meal.
When should I buy fresh food for an iftar dinner?: Buy fresh produce and other chilled ingredients one day before the event, or on the morning of the meal. Non-perishable supplies can be bought several days earlier, while drinks should be chilled at least 4–6 hours beforehand.
What kitchen supplies are easy to forget for an iftar?: Serving spoons, tongs, measuring spoons, foil, food storage containers and lids are commonly missed. Check these at least 48 hours before the event, when there is still time to borrow or buy replacements.

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