What you need for a bakery open house

A bakery open house needs more than bread and pastries on display. You’ll need separate supplies for tastings, demonstrations, coffee service, sales, visitor seating, and clearly marked work areas. Plan quantities from your registration list, then add a small buffer for walk-ins and spills. Check power access early: coffee machines, kettles, chillers, and payment equipment may need more outlets and extension cords than the venue has available.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 12

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Cash register
Payment terminal

Kitchen

Baking traysqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Dough scrapersqty 6
Rolling pinsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Oven mittsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10
Menu boardsqty 6
Information boardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Wheat flour - 10 kilos
- Whole wheat flour - 4 kilos
- Rye flour - 2 kilo
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilos
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilo
- Brown sugar - 1 kilo
- Unsalted butter - 4 kilos
- Margarine - 2 kilo
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Whole milk - 10 liters
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Fresh yeast - 500 gram
- Dry yeast - 500 grams
- Baking powder - 500 grams
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Vanilla sugar - 10 sachets
- Vanilla extract - 2 bottles
- Cocoa powder - 500 gram
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Almonds - 1 kilo
- Chocolate sprinkles - 1 kilo
- Pure baking chocolate - 1 kilo
- Applesauce - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Butter for sandwiches - 1 kilo
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar sticks - 500 pieces
- Milk cups - 500 pieces
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Carbonated water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Apple juice - 10 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 150 pieces
- Paper cake boxes - 100 pieces
- Baking paper - 5 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 5 boxes
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- Kitchen cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls

Tips

Plan tasting portions before you shop. For a group of 50 visitors, prepare at least 60 small samples so late arrivals and repeat tastings do not empty the buffet.
Allow two coffee or tea servings per visitor if the open house runs for two to three hours. Count cups, glasses, plates, cutlery, and serving tongs against that number, then add 10% spare.
Set aside equipment for the demonstration rather than borrowing from the sales or tasting areas. Have the baking trays, mixing bowls, measuring cups, dough scrapers, rolling pins, knives, boards, and oven mitts ready at least 30 minutes before opening.
Do not leave allergen information until the event morning. Print one clear copy for every tasting or demonstration product and place the information where visitors can read it before serving themselves.
Test the sales setup before visitors arrive. Check the cash register and payment terminal, prepare change if needed, and reserve extension cords and power strips for equipment that must remain plugged in.

Frequently asked questions

How many samples do I need for a bakery open house?: Prepare one portion per expected visitor plus 10% extra. For 50 registered visitors, that means at least 55 samples, or 60 if walk-ins are likely.
How much coffee should I buy for a bakery open house?: Budget for two servings per visitor during a two- to three-hour open house. For 50 visitors, plan 100 servings and bring at least 55 cups so used cups do not stop service.
When should I prepare the bakery demonstration supplies?: Set out and check the demonstration equipment at least 30 minutes before opening. Prepare the dough earlier according to its resting time so the demonstration does not start late.
How many extra plates and glasses do I need?: Buy or bring about 10% more than your visitor count. For 50 visitors, prepare at least 55 plates and 55 glasses, with additional replacements if drinks are served throughout the event.

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