What you need for a Pentecost barbecue

A Pentecost barbecue needs more than meat, buns and charcoal. You will also need enough chilled storage, serving equipment, tableware and shelter for changing weather. Plan quantities around your guest count, then add supplies for salads, marinades, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks. This checklist helps you shop before the day itself, when forgotten items such as ice, serving tongs or waste bins are hardest to replace.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Patio chairsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 45
Reusable glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's and meat tongsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum grill traysqty 10
Meat thermometer
Corkscrewqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 4
Table decorationsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 45 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 45 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 pieces
- Beef sausages - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 10 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Garlic bread - 4 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 4 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 20 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Red onions - 8 pieces
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed lettuce - 1 kilogram
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Fruit salad - 3 kilograms
- Watermelons - 2 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 1.5 kilograms
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Hamburger sauce - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Butter - 500 grams
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Lemonade - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Barbecue briquettes - 10 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water and other non-alcoholic options, and chill them in coolers before guests arrive.
Buy about 250–350 g of raw meat or fish per adult if salads, bread and desserts are served as well. Add vegetarian barbecue options separately rather than assuming side dishes will be enough.
Plan one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Reusable tableware is easy to run short of when people go back for salads or dessert.
Keep raw meat and fish in separate coolers from drinks, with enough ice or cold packs to hold them safely until cooking. Pack a meat thermometer and separate tongs so cooked food does not touch raw ingredients.
Pack the items people usually remember last: serving platters, serving tongs, bottle openers, waste bins, extension cords and lighting. Set up tents and tables early enough to keep food and guests covered if rain starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Pentecost barbecue?: Allow around 250–350 g of raw meat or fish per adult when you are also serving salads, bread and dessert. For children, plan roughly 125–200 g, depending on age and the rest of the menu.
How many drinks should I buy for a Pentecost barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour and one per guest for every following hour. Add at least 500 ml of water per person for a short gathering, and more for warm weather or a longer afternoon.
How much tableware do I need for a barbecue?: Prepare one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item, especially plates, glasses and forks.
When should I buy and chill barbecue food?: Buy perishable meat, fish and dairy products no more than 1–2 days before the barbecue. Chill drinks the day before if possible, and keep raw meat and fish refrigerated until they go on the grill.

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