What to buy for a mashed potato night

A mashed potato night needs more than potatoes and butter. Plan the portions, toppings, stews and vegetarian servings before you shop, then check whether you already have enough bowls, serving spoons, cooking pots and food warmers. For a buffet, allow about 250–300 g of prepared potatoes per adult, plus toppings and sauces. Drinks, coffee supplies and dietary alternatives are easy to underestimate, especially when guests stay for several hours.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 70
Soup bowlsqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Forksqty 70
Knivesqty 70
Spoonsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Large cooking potsqty 6
Colandersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Paring knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Storage binsqty 12

Equipment

Food warmersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Name badgesqty 60
Menusqty 8

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 4
Spongesqty 8
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Potatoes - 25 kg
- Kale - 8 kg
- Sauerkraut - 8 jars
- Carrots - 6 kg
- Onions - 5 kg
- Leeks - 3 kg
- Smoked sausage - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian smoked sausage - 12 pieces
- Bacon cubes - 3 kg
- Vegetarian bacon bits - 1,5 kg
- Meatballs - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian meatballs - 15 pieces
- Gravy - 8 liters
- Vegetarian gravy - 3 liters
- Unsalted butter - 2 kg
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Mustard - 4 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Amsterdam onions - 3 jars
- Fried onions - 1 kg
- Salt - 1 kg
- Pepper - 250 g
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Bay leaves - 2 bags
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Sugar-free cookies - 2 packs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls

Tips

Buy 250–300 g of prepared mashed potatoes per adult, then add extra for children with large appetites or guests likely to take seconds. Potatoes lose some weight during peeling and cooking, so shop for roughly 350–400 g raw potatoes per adult.
Plan at least two stew or topping options, including a clearly separate vegetarian portion. Confirm dietary requirements before shopping, ideally no later than 3 days before the event, so you can buy suitable stock and avoid cross-contamination.
For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person; after that, plan about 1 drink per person per hour. Chill drinks several hours ahead and use coolers if the refrigerator cannot hold everything.
Match tableware to the way the meal is served: one plate and fork per guest, soup bowls if the mash is served with gravy or stew, and one serving spoon for each topping or dish. Add about 10% spare pieces for drops and seconds.
Do not leave the hot-food equipment until the last day. Check large cooking pots, colanders, cutting boards, knives, storage bins and food warmers at least 48 hours before shopping, and test available power strips if warmers or coffee machines need electricity.

Frequently asked questions

How many potatoes do I need per person for mashed potato night?: Plan for about 350–400 g of raw potatoes per adult, which usually gives 250–300 g of prepared mash after peeling and cooking. Add another 10–15% if seconds are expected or the meal has few other dishes.
What toppings should I buy for a mashed potato buffet?: Plan at least two toppings or stews per guest, with one vegetarian option if needed. Buy enough for 150–200 g of toppings, gravy or stew per person in total, depending on how much else is served.
How many drinks should I buy for mashed potato night?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for every additional hour. Include water as well as other drinks, and chill the first batch several hours before guests arrive.
When should I check the equipment for mashed potato night?: Check pots, serving utensils, tableware, food warmers and coffee equipment at least 48 hours beforehand. Do the main shopping no later than 1–2 days before the event, while buying fresh vegetables as close to the event as practical.

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