What to buy for a neighborhood dinner

A neighborhood dinner needs more than groceries. You also need enough tableware for the final guest count, separate serving equipment, and practical kitchen gear for preparing and holding food. Plan plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, and coffee cups by person, then add a small reserve for breakage and late arrivals. Check dietary requirements before placing the grocery order, and arrange collection of rented equipment before the event day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Foldable welcome table

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Coffee spoonsqty 70

Kitchen

Soup bowls for buffetqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Large cooking potsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef and kitchen knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen scale
Aluminum foilqty 3
Food storage containersqty 12
Serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Hot platesqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speaker

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Menusqty 12
Allergen cardsqty 6
Table decorationsqty 8
Paper garlandsqty 6
Name stickersqty 80

Catering

Groceries
- Potatoes - 12 kg
- Carrots - 5 kg
- Onions - 4 kg
- Leeks - 3 kg
- Bell peppers - 3 kg
- Zucchini - 3 kg
- Broccoli - 3 kg
- Cauliflower - 3 kg
- Mushrooms - 2 kg
- Tomatoes - 4 kg
- Cucumbers - 3 kg
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Spinach - 1,5 kg
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Fresh basil - 4 bunches
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Apples - 5 kg
- Bananas - 4 kg
- Grapes - 3 kg
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Lentils - 8 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 16 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Vegetable bouillon - 20 liters
- Beef broth - 12 liters
- Rice - 6 kg
- Pasta - 5 kg
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kg
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Cooking cream - 6 liters
- Grated cheese - 3 kg
- Feta - 2 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Herb butter - 1,5 kg
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 6 liter
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla custard - 6 liters
- Pudding powder - 1 kg
- Biscuits - 2 kg
- Raisins - 1 kg
- Granulated sugar - 3 kg
- Powdered sugar - 1 kg
- Salt - 1 kg
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Cumin - 150 gram
- Oregano - 150 grams
- Thyme - 150 grams
- Bay leaves - 2 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 1,5 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Apple cider vinegar - 1 liter
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Red grape juice - 4 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kg
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar sticks - 200 pieces
- Honey - 2 jars
- Ice cubes - 15 kg
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Food containers - 80 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 8 pairs

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Floor squeegee
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Waste binsqty 6
Waste sorting binsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel rollsqty 6

Safety

Fire blanket
Non-slip matsqty 4
Emergency exit signqty 2

Other

Table number cardsqty 8
Pensqty 10
Clipboardsqty 2
Name badgesqty 80
Phone chargersqty 2
Storage cratesqty 10

Tips

Count tableware against the confirmed registration total, then add roughly 10% extra plates, glasses, and cutlery. A dinner with 40 guests therefore needs about 44 of each everyday item.
Allow two drinking glasses per guest if people will stay for several hours, plus wine glasses only if wine is on the menu. Keep coffee cups and teaspoons separate from the dinner setting.
For a buffet, plan at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish and enough platters or trays for the full menu. Label dishes with allergens before food reaches the buffet table.
Check that the kitchen has enough large cooking pots, cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and a kitchen scale for the planned portions. Borrow or rent missing equipment at least one week ahead.
Arrange food warmers, coffee machines, and kettles before shopping day, not on the morning of the dinner. Buy groceries only after the final number and dietary requirements have been confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a neighborhood dinner?: Start with one dinner plate, bowl, dessert plate, knife, fork, and spoon per guest, then add about 10% spare. For 40 guests, prepare roughly 44 of each frequently used item.
How many glasses should I buy per person for a neighborhood dinner?: Plan two drinking glasses per guest for a dinner lasting several hours. Add one wine glass per guest only when wine is being served, with around 10% extra for breakage or late arrivals.
When should I order groceries for a neighborhood dinner?: Confirm registrations, dietary requirements, and portions before ordering. Place the main grocery order 2 to 4 days before the dinner, and arrange fresh items for collection as close to the event as practical.
What serving equipment is needed for a buffet dinner?: Allow at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every buffet dish, plus a serving platter, tray, or soup bowl suited to each item. Check this at least one week before the event so missing equipment can be rented or borrowed.

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.