What to buy for a mashed potato night

A mashed potato night needs more than potatoes and butter. Plan the food, serving dishes, drinks and tableware around your final guest count, with separate vegetarian portions and clear dietary labels. Large pots, mashers, warmers and serving spoons are easy to overlook, especially when the meal is served buffet-style. Use this checklist to shop and gather everything before preparation starts, then allow time to chill drinks and prepare vegetables.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Reception desk

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 75
Cutlery setsqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 70
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 10
Sauce bowlsqty 6

Kitchen

Large cooking potsqty 6
Masherqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and paring knivesqty 8
Colandersqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Food warmersqty 6
Induction platesqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 70
Diet labelsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up bowlsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Potatoes - 25 kg
- Kale - 8 kg
- Sauerkraut - 6 kg
- Carrots - 5 kg
- Onions - 3 kg
- Leeks - 4 kg
- Endive - 5 kg
- Red cabbage - 5 kg
- Celeriac - 3 kg
- Smoked sausage - 40 pieces
- Bacon cubes - 3 kg
- Vegetarian smoked sausage - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian bacon strips - 1,5 kg
- Ground beef - 4 kg
- Meatballs - 70 pieces
- Gravy powder - 2 kg
- Vegetable stock - 2 kg
- Milk - 8 liters
- Unsalted butter - 2 kg
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Pickled onions - 3 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Fried onions - 1 kg
- Salt - 1 kg
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Nutmeg - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 1 bag
- Vinegar - 2 bottles
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Vanilla custard - 8 liter
- Chocolate custard - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Cinnamon - 100 gram
- Coffee - 2 kg
- Tea - 150 bags
- Milk cups - 150 pieces
- Sugar sachets - 200 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces

Tips

Buy enough potatoes for the full guest list, allowing roughly 250–300 g per person for the main mash before adding toppings or side dishes. Add extra if mashed potato is the only main course.
Plan separate vegetarian portions before shopping, and label them clearly at the buffet. Collect dietary requirements when guests register so you are not trying to identify allergens on the day.
For a buffet, provide at least one serving spoon for each dish and one sauce bowl for each sauce or topping. Put serving platters and spoons aside before cooking so they do not get used in the kitchen.
Allow one dinner plate, one soup bowl and one cutlery set per guest, plus around 10% extra for breakages, dropped cutlery or second helpings. Dessert plates and coffee cups are needed later, not just at the table setup.
Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive and prepare a separate drinks station with glasses, wine glasses and coolers. Check induction plates, food warmers, coffee machines, kettles and extension cords before the cooking begins.

Frequently asked questions

How many potatoes do I need for a mashed potato night?: Plan 250–300 g of potatoes per person when mashed potato is the main dish. For 20 guests, that means about 5–6 kg before peeling, with extra added if you expect generous second portions.
How much tableware do I need for a mashed potato buffet?: Count one dinner plate, soup bowl and cutlery set per guest, then add about 10% spare. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 of each item where possible, plus dessert plates and coffee cups for the later courses.
When should I buy and chill drinks for mashed potato night?: Buy drinks at least one day ahead if possible, and chill them at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Keep additional bottles or cans in coolers so the drinks buffet can be replenished without running out.
What kitchen equipment is easy to forget for a mashed potato night?: Check large cooking pots, a masher, colanders, cutting boards, chef’s and paring knives, measuring cups and mixing bowls at least 1 day before the event. Test food warmers, induction plates, coffee machines, kettles and extension cords on the same day.

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