What you need for a Scout barbecue

A Scout barbecue needs more than meat, bread and drinks. Plan the food around your final attendance list, including dietary requirements, then match it with enough serving ware, cold storage and cooking equipment. This checklist also covers the items that are easy to arrange too late: extra tables, lighting, extension cords, waste bins and a safe place for separate diet products. Use it while shopping and again when loading everything for the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12
Pitcherqty 4

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettle
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue brushesqty 2
Aluminum grill traysqty 6
Ice packsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 3

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Work glovesqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Tableclothsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Garlic bread - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 20 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Crispy fried onions - 2 bags
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Lemon soda - 5 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Barbecue charcoal - 6 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Kitchen gloves - 2 boxes
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles

Tips

Confirm attendance and dietary requirements before buying food. Keep vegetarian, allergy-friendly or other diet products in separate, clearly labelled containers from the moment you shop.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in coolers in advance and keep extra ice packs available for warm weather.
Plan at least one serving utensil for each salad, side dish and topping, plus one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest. Add a small reserve rather than discovering halfway through the meal that everything is in use.
Check the barbecue setup before shopping day: you need a barbecue, tongs, brushes and aluminum grill trays, with enough table space for raw ingredients, cooked food and serving dishes. Keep raw meat and ready-to-eat food on separate cutting boards.
Do not leave site logistics until the event morning. Arrange tents, tables, chairs, waste bins, lighting and power equipment early, and bring washing-up basins, dish brushes, buckets and a broom for the cleanup.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Scout barbecue?: Use your confirmed guest count as the starting point and plan about 250–350 grams of meat or meat alternatives per adult, depending on the sides. Add bread, salads and vegetables for every guest, and buy a small buffer of around 10% for unexpected extra portions.
How many drinks should I buy for a Scout barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the first supply before guests arrive rather than relying on room-temperature drinks.
What equipment is needed for a Scout barbecue?: You need the barbecue, barbecue tongs, barbecue brushes and aluminum grill trays, plus coolers and ice packs for drinks and ingredients. Also prepare cutting boards, chef’s knives, mixing bowls and serving spoons before food preparation starts.
How early should I prepare the barbecue shopping list?: Make a first list at least one week before the event, when you can still reserve the barbecue, extra tables and other shared equipment. Finalise quantities two to three days beforehand, after checking registrations and dietary requirements.

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