What to Buy for a Cheese Tasting

A cheese tasting needs more than a selection of cheeses. You also need the right serving ware, palate cleansers, drinks, labels and tasting forms so guests can compare each round comfortably. Plan the shopping around the number of guests and the tasting length: allow about 150–200 g of cheese per person for a tasting with snacks, plus bread, crackers and water. Buy or borrow equipment early, especially cheese knives, platters, wine glasses and coolers.

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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
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Cheese plattersqty 8
Cheese knivesqty 12
Platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving tongsqty 8
Pitcherqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen scale
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Cheese labelsqty 40
Menusqty 8
Name badgesqty 50
Test formsqty 50

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 2
Cleaning cart

Catering

Groceries
- Young Gouda cheese - 1.5 kg
- Aged Gouda cheese - 1.5 kg
- Old Gouda cheese - 1.5 kg
- Farmhouse cheese - 1 kg
- Goat cheese - 1 kg
- Sheep cheese - 750 grams
- Brie - 1 kg
- Camembert - 750 grams
- Blue cheese - 750 gram
- Muenster cheese - 500 grams
- Smoked cheese - 750 grams
- Herb cream cheese - 750 grams
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Sourdough bread - 3 loaves
- Water crackers - 8 packs
- Rosemary crackers - 6 packs
- Nut crackers - 6 packs
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Conference pears - 3 kg
- Apples - 3 kg
- Figs - 2 kg
- Dates - 1 kg
- Apricots - 1 kg
- Walnuts - 1 kg
- Almonds - 1 kg
- Hazelnuts - 750 grams
- Fig jam - 4 jars
- Caramelized onions - 3 jars
- Honey - 3 jars
- Mustard - 4 jars
- Olives - 2 kg
- Cornichons - 4 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sea salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 grinder
- Butter - 500 grams
- Hummus - 1 kg
- Vegetable spread - 4 tubs
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Dry white wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Grape juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 liters
- Still mineral water - 18 liters
- Coffee - 1 kg
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 10 kg
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Rubber gloves - 3 pairs

Tips

Plan 4–6 different cheeses per guest group, with a mix of textures and strengths. Buy about 25–35 g of each cheese per person so nobody runs out before the final round.
Provide at least 100–150 g of bread and crackers per person, plus fruit, nuts or another simple garnish. Refill these between rounds instead of putting everything out at once.
Allow 2–3 tasting drinks per person during the first hour, then add water throughout the evening. Prepare one water glass and, if serving wine, one wine glass per guest, plus a pitcher for refills.
Give every cheese its own label and serving knife. Put out one plate per guest, and keep spare plates, cutlery and dessert plates nearby for replacements and later snacks.
Do the main shopping at least 1–2 days before the tasting, but buy fresh bread and delicate garnishes on the day. Chill cheese and drinks in time without over-chilling cheeses that need room to develop flavour.

Frequently asked questions

How much cheese do I need per person for a cheese tasting?: Buy 150–200 g of cheese per person when the tasting includes bread and snacks. For a shorter tasting with 4–6 cheeses, 100–150 g per person is usually enough.
How many cheeses should I serve at a cheese tasting?: Serve 4–6 cheeses for a tasting of about 60–90 minutes. More than 6 cheeses can make it difficult for guests to compare flavours and remember the tasting order.
How much bread and crackers do I need for a cheese tasting?: Plan 100–150 g of bread and crackers per person, with extra if the tasting replaces a meal. Put out a fresh portion between rounds so the last cheeses are not served with stale or empty baskets.
What serving equipment do I need for a cheese tasting?: For each tasting station, provide a platter, labels, one knife per cheese, plates and glasses for water or wine. Set up the tables and test forms at least 30 minutes before guests arrive, with spare plates and cutlery ready.

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