Breakfast Meeting Shopping List
A breakfast meeting needs more than coffee, bread and fruit. This shopping list covers the items needed to serve breakfast, run a self-service buffet and keep dietary information clear. Plan quantities from your guest count, then add a small buffer for popular items. Check what the venue already provides before buying tables, chairs, coffee equipment or tableware. Confirm dietary requirements before finalising the menu so you can label suitable options and avoid last-minute substitutions.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 6
- Chairsqty 32
- Buffet tablesqty 3
- Tableclothsqty 6
Tableware
- Breakfast platesqty 36
- Bowlsqty 36
- Coffee cupsqty 36
- Glassesqty 36
- Cutlery setsqty 36
- Serving plattersqty 10
- Serving utensilsqty 10
- Bread basketsqty 4
- Butterfly netsqty 3
- Pitchersqty 6
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Coolersqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Bread knivesqty 3
- Chef's knifeqty 2
- Egg slicerqty 2
- Food storage containersqty 8
- Serving spoonsqty 6
Decorations
- Name badgesqty 36
- Buffet platesqty 12
- Allergen cardsqty 12
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 4
- Washing-up tubsqty 2
- Spongesqty 6
- Tea towelsqty 8
- Cleaning bucketqty 2
- Mopqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- White bake-off rolls - 36 pieces
- Whole wheat bake-off rolls - 24 pieces
- Croissants - 30 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 750 grams
- Vegetarian spread - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Boiled eggs - 36 pieces
- Greek yogurt - 5 kilos
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Cornflakes - 1 kilo
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Coffee beans - 2 kilos
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 5 liters
- Still mineral water - 12 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
Tips
- Plan about 2–3 bread portions per person, plus toppings such as butter, spreads and cheese. Buy extra of the items that cannot be portioned easily, especially bread and fruit.
- Allow 2–3 cups of coffee or tea per guest for a breakfast meeting of up to two hours. Prepare enough hot water, coffee or tea, and use thermos flasks if guests will arrive over a 30-minute window.
- Provide one breakfast plate, bowl, glass, coffee cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. The spare pieces cover dropped cutlery, second plates and late additions to the guest list.
- Finish the allergen list at least 24 hours before the meeting. Place allergen cards beside each buffet item, not at one central point where guests have to guess which label belongs to which dish.
- Chill drinks and clear enough cold-storage space at least 3 hours before guests arrive. Do not leave milk, yoghurt, cut fruit or other chilled items waiting on the buffet while the room is being set up.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for a breakfast meeting?
- For a light breakfast, plan 2–3 bread portions, 1–2 pieces of fruit and 1–2 egg portions per guest. Add about 10% extra for popular items and unexpected guests.
- How many drinks should I buy for a breakfast meeting?
- Allow 2–3 hot drinks per person for a meeting lasting up to two hours, plus at least 500 ml of cold drinks per guest. Buy extra milk, water and juice when guests will stay longer than two hours.
- How many plates and cups do I need for a breakfast meeting?
- Prepare one plate, bowl, glass, coffee cup and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item where possible.
- When should I prepare the breakfast meeting shopping list?
- Make the first list 3–5 days before the meeting, after checking registrations and dietary requirements. Complete the final quantity check 24 hours before the event and buy chilled items as close to the meeting as practical.
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