What you need for an international evening

An international evening needs more than food from different countries. Plan the practical items that let guests eat, drink, find their place and move around the buffet easily. For each guest, allow one reusable plate, one bowl, one drinking glass and a full set of cutlery, plus a small reserve. This list also covers serving equipment, coffee service, decorations and the supplies people often remember only on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 6
High tablesqty 6
Tablecloth setsqty 12
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable bowlsqty 100
Drinking glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 80
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving bowlsqty 18
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 20

Decorations

Country flagsqty 30
World mapqty 2
Table decorationsqty 12
Paper garlandsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Name badgesqty 100
Menu Card Holdersqty 20
Sticky tackqty 6
Binding twineqty 2
Markersqty 2
Table cardsqty 30

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Phone chargersqty 4
Food warmersqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 6
Kettlesqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Pansqty 6
Appetizer spoonsqty 100
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Floor mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Basmati Rice - 8 kilograms
- Couscous - 4 kilograms
- Penne - 4 kilogram
- Tortilla wraps - 100 pieces
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Red kidney beans - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 10 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 16 cans
- Tomato paste - 8 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Tofu - 4 kilograms
- Ground beef - 5 kilogram
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 5 kilograms
- Zucchini - 4 kilogram
- Eggplants - 4 kilograms
- Broccoli - 4 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 3 kilogram
- Spinach - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Limes - 3 kilograms
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Fresh coriander - 10 bunches
- Fresh mint - 10 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 8 bunches
- Curry spice mix - 500 grams
- Cumin powder - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Turmeric - 200 grams
- Chili powder - 150 grams
- Garam masala - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Soy sauce - 3 bottles
- Sweet chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Sriracha - 2 bottles
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Tahini - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Yogurt - 5 kilograms
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
- Pita bread - 100 pieces
- Naan bread - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Dates - 3 kilogram
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Mangoes - 5 kilograms
- Baklava - 5 kilogram
- Chocolate cake - 4 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Ginger beer - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Mango juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls

Tips

Count tableware for every registered guest and add 10% spare items. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery sets.
Plan one serving spoon or utensil for every dish, and keep extra serving bowls and platters available. Shared utensils are often forgotten when several cultural contributions arrive at once.
Buy or prepare drinks for the full evening, not just the buffet. As a starting point, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one to two per hour afterward.
Prepare the welcome and information items before shopping is finished: name badges, markers, table cards, menu card holders and sticky tack are easy to overlook but needed before guests arrive.
Check decorations and equipment at least one week before the event. Confirm that the portable speakers work, the world map and flags can be displayed, and you have enough twine or paper garlands for the room.

Frequently asked questions

What tableware do I need for an international evening?: Allow one reusable plate, one bowl, one drinking glass and one set of forks, knives and spoons per guest. Add at least 10% spare items, so 40 guests require 44 of each basic item.
How many serving utensils do I need for a buffet?: Plan at least one serving spoon or utensil for every buffet dish. If you expect 10 dishes, prepare 10 serving utensils plus two or three spare pieces for replacements or shared bowls.
How much should I buy for drinks at an international evening?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person. After that, estimate one to two drinks per person per hour, and provide water throughout the evening.
When should I prepare the shopping list for the event?: Finish the first shopping list at least one week before the evening. Check fresh produce, dietary meals and deliveries again 24 hours before guests arrive.

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.