As you anticipate cooking for 25 of your closest friends, you'll want to be prepared. Here's what to have on hand, from the ingredients for all your recipes to the utensils and "equipment" needed to complete the feast. No one wants to make a last minute trip to the grocery store 15 minutes before your guests are to arrive.

Here are some considerations and tips:

Cooking equipment and utensils

• a roasting pan -- don't cook a lot of big feasts? Consider a disposable roasting pan instead of the oven broiling/roasting pan
• pots and pans -- a full feast usually requires the use of every pot and pan you own; typically you will use several 2 or 3 quart pans for vegetables; a 4-8 quart stockpot for boiling potatoes and yams; a 10-inch frying or sauté pan for the stuffing; keep smaller skillets and saucepans on hand "just in case"
• other gadgets and gizmos – strainers (stand alone or hand held) and colanders for cooking and straining vegetables; a hand-held masher for mashing three or more pounds of potatoes; an electric mixer/beater for beating them to a smooth consistency
• microwave safe cookware -- save on pots and pans -- and some clean-up -- by cooking certain dishes in the microwave
• wooden spoons and rubber spatulas are the safest for any pots and pans; 3-5 wooden spoons and 1-3 spatulas of varying sizes should get you through
• measuring cups and spoons – it never hurts to have an extra set of measuring cups and spoons; use metal cups for dry goods and a glass or plastic cup for liquids
• an extra timer, or two, so cooking times aren't overlooked, and food isn't over or under cooked

Space considerations

• limited counter space? Use a card table for prep work, such as mashing potatoes, transferring food to serving dishes
• a large cooler for beverages and certain other items leaves plenty of room in the refrigerator for appetizers, salads, deserts, etc.

Other guides and tips

• a meal preparation timeline keeps you organized and on time so you don't discover 10 minutes before mealtime you forgot to put in the mashed potato casserole that takes 30 minutes to cook
• clean as you go – you may actually need that extra three-quart pan one last time, or one of the five wooden spoons that have been used
• keep items covered with lids or aluminum foil to keep hot foods hot until serving time