What you need for a walking dinner

A walking dinner needs more than ingredients for several courses. You also need enough plates, cutlery, glasses and serving equipment for guests who eat while moving between tables or courses. Plan portions per course, check dietary requirements before shopping, and separate non-perishable items from fresh groceries. This list helps you prepare the food service, drinks station and kitchen setup without leaving essential items until the last day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
High tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 12
Table linenqty 14

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 90
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 90
Wine glassesqty 90
Champagne glassesqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Dinner cutlery setsqty 90
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving boardsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 4
Frying pansqty 4
Cooking potsqty 6
Baking dishesqty 8
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Kitchen scale
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 6
Induction hobsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Decorations

Menusqty 70
Name badgesqty 70
Table decorationsqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Candlesqty 30
Candle holdersqty 15
Pensqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bagsqty 80
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Beef - 5 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 5 kilograms
- Salmon fillet - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Shrimp - 3 Kilograms
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Whole milk - 8 liters
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- French baguettes - 20 pieces
- Ciabatta - 15 pieces
- Toast - 8 packs
- Pizza dough - 20 pieces
- Risotto rice - 4 kilogram
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Couscous - 3 kilograms
- Potatoes - 10 kilograms
- Sushi rice - 3 kilograms
- Quinoa - 2 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 5 kilograms
- Zucchinis - 5 kilograms
- Eggplants - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Broccoli - 5 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 4 kilograms
- Spinach - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 2 kilogram
- Mixed lettuce - 4 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 4 kilogram
- Onions - 4 kilograms
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Lemons - 40 pieces
- Limes - 30 pieces
- Fresh basil - 20 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 15 bunches
- Fresh mint - 10 bunches
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Pears - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Raspberries - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Chocolate - 3 kilograms
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Sunflower oil - 3 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 liters
- Red wine vinegar - 1 liter
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Beef broth - 4 liters
- Tomato sauce - 8 liters
- Pesto - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Soy sauce - 2 liters
- Honey - 2 kilograms
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Curry powder - 500 grams
- Italian herbs - 500 grams
- Chili flakes - 250 gram
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Sugar - 4 kilogram
- Flour - 4 kilograms
- Baking powder - 500 grams
- Gelatin - 200 grams
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Tea - 200 bags
- Coffee milk - 4 liters
- Soft drinks - 30 liters
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Spa Blauw - 48 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 36 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 10 bottles
- Gin - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 12 liters
- Mocktail syrup - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Dish soap - 5 liters
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 5 liters
- Glass cleaner - 2 liters
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Wooden satay skewers - 300 pieces
- Food containers - 40 pieces

Tips

Plan one complete plate, bowl or serving piece per guest for each course, plus at least 10% extra for breakage, delays or guests who need a replacement. Include dessert plates and coffee cups rather than assuming dinner plates will be reused.
Buy drinks according to the event length: allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add water glasses for every guest and keep extra bottles ready before guests arrive.
Finish non-perishable shopping at least 3 days before the dinner. Buy vegetables, herbs, dairy, meat and other fresh ingredients no earlier than 1 to 2 days ahead unless the recipe allows longer storage.
Reserve serving platters, boards, trays and serving spoons before finalising the menu. A walking dinner often needs one serving item per dish or station, so waiting until the cooking day can leave you short.
Set aside kitchen equipment for preparation and service: allow at least one cutting board and chef’s knife per active preparation area, and check that pans, pots, baking dishes, foil and cling film are available before cooking starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need per person for a walking dinner?: Plan 4 to 6 small courses per guest, with roughly 500 to 700 g of total food per adult when the walking dinner replaces a full meal. Divide the amount across the courses instead of serving full restaurant-sized portions.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a walking dinner?: Start with one plate per guest for each course that uses a different plate, plus 10% extra. Provide one water glass and one wine glass per guest, with at least 10% spare glassware for breakage or replacements.
When should I buy groceries for a walking dinner?: Buy dry goods, drinks and other non-perishables at least 3 days in advance. Purchase fresh groceries 1 to 2 days before the event, then wash and portion ingredients only after checking the final guest count and dietary requirements.
What kitchen equipment is needed for a walking dinner?: You need preparation tools such as cutting boards, chef’s knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups and a kitchen scale, plus pans, pots and baking dishes for the menu. Check the full setup at least 1 day before cooking so missing equipment can still be borrowed or reserved.

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