What to Buy for a Senior Barbecue

A senior barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan for comfortable seating, easy-to-handle plates and cutlery, clearly organised buffet service, and enough coffee and tea for a slower meal. Check dietary requirements before buying meat, vegetarian options and salads, then prepare drinks and chilled ingredients ahead of time. This shopping list covers the equipment and serving items that are easy to overlook, especially extension cords, thermos flasks, thermometers and waste bins.

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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

Dinner platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 30
Knivesqty 50
Forksqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 40
Drinking glassesqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12
Serving traysqty 4

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's axesqty 3
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue brushesqty 2
Kitchen thermometersqty 2
Aluminum traysqty 10

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Welcome sign

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Broomqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 45 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 45 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 10 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kilograms
- Fruit salad - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 36 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one seat per invited guest, plus a few spare chairs for people who need to sit down during the meal. Add party tents or other cover if guests may need shade or protection from light rain.
Buy or borrow one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, knife, fork and spoon per guest, then add 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each item where practical.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour. Keep water and other non-alcoholic options easy to reach, and chill them before guests arrive.
Prepare coffee and tea for the final part of the meal: allow one coffee cup per guest plus 10% spare, and use thermos flasks so people do not have to queue at the coffee machine.
Check the barbecue setup at least one day before shopping is finished. Count the barbecues, fuel, barbecue tongs, brushes, aluminium trays and kitchen thermometers; these are harder to replace at the last minute than food.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a senior barbecue?: For the main meal, plan roughly 250 to 300 grams of meat or vegetarian products per person, depending on the sides and dessert. Add salads, bread or other sides separately, and confirm dietary requirements before placing the final food order.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, drinking glass and full set of cutlery per guest, plus about 10% spare. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 of each frequently used item so replacements are available.
How many drinks should I buy for a senior barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and about one per person for each additional hour. Include water and other non-alcoholic drinks, then chill the first supply several hours before guests arrive.
How much coffee do I need for a barbecue?: Plan one cup of coffee or tea per guest, with 10% extra for refills. For 30 guests, prepare at least 33 cups and enough hot water and coffee or tea for around 35 servings.

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