What to buy for a cheese tasting

A cheese tasting needs more than a selection of cheeses. You also need enough serving pieces, tasting plates, knives, glasses, bread and garnishes for guests to compare each sample comfortably. Plan the shopping around your guest count, then add the items needed for chilling drinks, portioning cheese and presenting each tasting station. This checklist helps you spot easy-to-miss supplies before the event day, including tasting card holders, bottle openers and coffee equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tableqty 2
Registration desk
Tableclothqty 8

Tableware

Cheese plattersqty 10
Cheese knivesqty 12
Platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Drinking glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving tongsqty 10
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Decorations

Candlesqty 20
Candle holdersqty 10
Tasting card holdersqty 10
Name badgesqty 50

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dishpanqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpan
Mop and bucket

Catering

Groceries
- Young hard cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Aged Gouda cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Old Gouda cheese - 1.5 kilogram
- Farmhouse cheese - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Sheep cheese - 750 grams
- Blue cheese - 750 gram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Camembert - 750 grams
- Smoked cheese - 750 grams
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Roquefort - 500 gram
- Fresh baguettes - 8 pieces
- Dark sourdough bread - 4 loaves
- Plain crackers - 6 packs
- Knäckebröd - 4 packs
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Pears - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Figs - 1 kilogram
- Dates - 500 grams
- Walnuts - 750 grams
- Almonds - 750 grams
- Hazelnuts - 500 grams
- Fig jam - 3 jars
- Onion chutney - 3 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Fig syrup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Cornichons - 3 jars
- Olives - 3 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 2 jars
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Salted butter - 500 grams
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Still mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Grape juice - 4 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Labels - 100 pieces
- Pens - 20 pieces
- Paper tasting cups - 100 pieces
- Paper tasting plates - 100 pieces

Tips

Allow about 80–120 g of cheese per person for a tasting with several varieties, and increase that amount if cheese is the main meal. Buy a little extra for trimming and uneven portions.
Prepare one tasting plate and one small knife or shared cheese knife per station, with extra plates and cutlery available for replacements. Dessert plates work well for individual portions.
Buy or bring enough bread and garnishes to refresh the palate between cheeses. Slice bread shortly before guests arrive so it does not dry out during setup.
Chill drinks before the tasting and allow enough cooler or ice-container space for the full quantity. Bottle openers are easy to overlook, so place at least one at each drinks area.
Print tasting cards before the event and use holders so they stay visible beside each cheese. Prepare name badges and check dietary requirements before finalising the tasting order.

Frequently asked questions

How much cheese do I need per person for a cheese tasting?: Plan 80–120 g of cheese per person when the tasting includes several varieties and bread or garnishes. Use around 150–200 g per person if the tasting is also the main meal. Add a small margin for trimming and uneven portions.
What equipment is needed for a cheese tasting?: You need cheese platters or serving platters, cheese knives, plates, cutting boards, serving tongs and suitable cutlery. Also prepare drinking glasses, wine glasses if serving wine, bottle openers, coolers or ice containers, and tasting card holders.
When should I buy the cheese for a tasting?: Confirm the order with the cheese supplier several days before the event, especially for a larger group or specialist cheeses. Pick up the cheese as close to the tasting as practical, then keep it chilled until portioning.
How many glasses do I need for a cheese tasting?: Provide at least one drinking glass per guest and add wine glasses if wine is part of the tasting. For a seated event, prepare one complete set per person plus roughly 10% extra for breakage, spills or replacements.

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