What to buy for a baking competition

A baking competition needs more than flour, sugar and decorations. This shopping list covers the shared equipment, kitchen tools, serving items, drinks and prizes needed for a smooth competition day. Buy or borrow specialist equipment early, especially convection ovens, hand mixers and kitchen scales, because availability can limit how many workstations you run. Confirm dietary requirements before calculating ingredients, and check every baking station at least one day before the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 70
Foldable tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Glassesqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80

Equipment

Convection ovensqty 6
Hand mixersqty 6
Kitchen scalesqty 12
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8

Kitchen

Mixing bowlsqty 18
Measuring cupsqty 12
Measuring spoonsqty 12
Baking pansqty 24
Baking traysqty 18
Rolling pinsqty 12
Spatulasqty 18
Spatulasqty 18
Oven mittsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 12
Piping bagsqty 36

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Competition bannersqty 3
Prizes and trophiesqty 6
Name badgesqty 80

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Wheat flour - 12 kg
- Granulated sugar - 8 kg
- Powdered sugar - 4 kg
- Soft brown sugar - 3 kg
- Unsalted butter - 8 kg
- Margarine - 2 kg
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Whole milk - 12 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 liter
- Crème fraîche - 2 liters
- Dark chocolate - 4 kg
- Milk chocolate - 2 kg
- Cocoa powder - 1 kg
- Baking powder - 1 kg
- Dry yeast - 500 grams
- Vanilla sugar - 1 kg
- Vanilla extract - 4 bottles
- Table salt - 1 kg
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Speculaas spice - 250 gram
- Cornstarch - 500 grams
- Gelatin leaves - 2 packs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Raisins - 1 kg
- Desiccated coconut - 500 grams
- Walnuts - 1 kg
- Almonds - 1 kg
- Hazelnuts - 500 grams
- Chocolate chips - 1 kg
- Cake decorations - 6 boxes
- Pink dye - 2 bottles
- Blue dye - 2 bottles
- Green food coloring - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Apples - 5 kg
- Bananas - 3 kg
- Strawberries - 3 kg
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Coffee milk - 6 liters
- Coffee sugar - 2 kg
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Baking paper - 8 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Piping bags - 100 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Food labels - 200 pieces

Tips

Plan one complete workstation for each competing team or participant, including a mixing bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoons, baking pan, baking tray, rolling pin, spatula, oven mitts and access to a kitchen scale. Add one spare set if your budget and storage allow.
Count ovens and power points before buying ingredients. If several convection ovens, hand mixers or power strips will run at once, check the venue’s electrical capacity and bring extension cords without creating walkways that people can trip over.
Buy shared ingredients only after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed. Calculate quantities from the number of participants, recipe portions and any practice or judging samples, then keep ingredients sorted by workstation.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and buy enough glasses, coffee cups and plates for judging and serving.
Order prizes, trophies and certificates at least two weeks before the competition. Also buy or prepare competition banners, tablecloths and numbered workstation signs early; these are easy to forget while focusing on ingredients and equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a baking competition?: For each workstation, provide mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, baking pans, baking trays, rolling pins, spatulas, oven mitts and a kitchen scale. You also need enough convection ovens and hand mixers for the number of competing teams, plus extension cords and power strips where the venue permits them.
How much food and drink should I buy for a baking competition?: Calculate ingredients from the confirmed number of participants, the recipe yield and the amount needed for judging samples. For drinks, allow two to three per person during the first hour and one per person for every additional hour; add a small buffer for judges and helpers.
When should I buy ingredients for a baking competition?: Buy shelf-stable ingredients two to three days before the event, after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed. Purchase chilled or perishable items no more than 24 hours beforehand unless you have reliable refrigerated storage.
How many plates and utensils do I need for a baking competition?: Provide at least one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork and knife per participant, judge and helper, then add 10% spare items. If competitors serve multiple judging samples, plan one dessert plate per sample round rather than reusing plates during the event.

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