The catering coordinator who forgot the bottle opener at a 500-person wedding taught me the value of comprehensive checklists. Forgetting equipment at an event isn't a memory problem—it's a systems problem. A good checklist prevents these disasters.
The Master Equipment List
Cooking Equipment
- Stern cans or burners (number based on menu)
- Propane tanks (extra, full)
- Chafing dishes and lids
- Stern fuel (extra)
- Hot holding equipment
Serving Equipment
- Serving utensils for each item
- Tongs (multiple sizes)
- Ladles
- Serving spoons
- Spare hotel pans
The Checklist System
Don't rely on memory. Use a digital checklist system:
- Pre-event checklist (days before)
- Loading checklist (when packing)
- Arrival checklist (when unloading)
- Post-event checklist (before leaving venue)
What Gets Forgotten
The most commonly forgotten items:
- Bottle openers and corkscrews
- Serving tongs for specific dishes
- Extension cords
- Trash bags
- Serving plates for buffet replenishment
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