Chocolate market shopping list
A chocolate market needs more than chocolate: visitors need small tasting portions, clear allergen information, drinks, seating and a reliable way to pay. This checklist covers the supplies and equipment to buy or bring for stalls, tastings and shared refreshment points. Plan quantities around your visitor count and the number of chocolate stands, then confirm power, storage and delivery needs before shopping. Disposable items and labels are easy to underestimate, especially when vendors offer several samples each.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 4
- Market stallsqty 12
- Tablesqty 10
- Chairsqty 40
- Bar stoolsqty 6
- Foldable tablesqty 4
Tableware
- Glassesqty 100
- Coffee cupsqty 40
- Dessert platesqty 120
- Cutlery setsqty 60
- Serving spoonsqty 12
- Serving plattersqty 20
- Serving boardsqty 12
- Measuring cupsqty 4
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Sound system
- Microphone
- Cash register
- Payment terminal
- Thermos flasksqty 4
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knifeqty 4
- Kitchen tongsqty 8
- Storage binsqty 12
- Aluminum foilqty 2
Decorations
- Tableclothsqty 16
- Buntingqty 8
- Menu boardsqty 12
- Allergen signsqty 20
- Name badgesqty 40
- Information boardsqty 6
Lighting
- String lightsqty 8
- LED lampsqty 12
Cleaning
- Broom setsqty 3
- Floor squeegeesqty 2
- Bucketsqty 4
- Waste binsqty 8
- Hand sanitizer dispensersqty 6
Catering
- Groceries
- Dark chocolate - 4 kilograms
- Milk chocolate - 4 kilogram
- White chocolate - 3 kilograms
- Vegan chocolate - 2 kilograms
- Chocolate truffles - 3 kilograms
- Chocolate truffles - 3 kilograms
- Chocolate cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 5 trays
- Mini waffles - 4 packs
- Marshmallows - 3 bags
- Strawberries - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Unsalted nuts - 2 kilogram
- Desiccated coconut - 500 grams
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Cocoa powder - 1 kilogram
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilogram
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 kilogram
- Caramel sauce - 2 bottles
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper tasting cups - 500 pieces
- Wooden tasting forks - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
Tips
- Allow two to three tasting pieces per visitor for the first round, then add a 10% buffer for popular stands and repeat tastings. Prepare separate serving spoons, tongs or boards for products with different allergens.
- Plan one drinking glass per visitor plus 10% spare, and keep coffee cups, dessert plates and cutlery available if chocolate is served with drinks or plated desserts. Count refill points rather than assuming one central table is enough.
- Check every electrical item against the available power points at least one week before the market. Extension cords and power strips should be matched to the coffee machines, kettles, coolers and payment equipment they will actually support.
- Keep chilled chocolate and other temperature-sensitive products in coolers with enough capacity for the busiest delivery window, not just the final stock. Label storage bins and set aside foil for covering opened products and tasting portions.
- Bring a printed route and safety plan, floor plan, allergen information and vendor list in a waterproof folder. Test the cash register and payment terminal before opening, and keep a backup payment method ready if the connection fails.
Frequently asked questions
- How much chocolate do I need for a chocolate market?
- For tasting portions, start with two to three pieces per visitor for the first round and add 10% spare stock. Increase the amount when vendors offer multiple products or when visitors can return for a second tasting.
- How many glasses and coffee cups do I need for a chocolate market?
- Plan one glass and one coffee cup per expected visitor, plus at least 10% extra for breakage, spills and delayed washing. Add more cups if the market runs longer than 3 hours or has several refreshment stations.
- What should I buy for chocolate market stalls?
- Each stall typically needs a table or market stall, tablecloth, serving platter or board, serving spoon or tongs, labels and storage space. Confirm the number of stands at least 7 days before shopping so you can match furniture, power points and serving equipment to the final layout.
- How early should I prepare supplies for a chocolate market?
- Confirm quantities and electrical requirements 7 days before opening, then do the main shopping 2 to 3 days beforehand. Portion short-life tasting products on the day of the market and check coolers, coffee machines and payment equipment before vendors arrive.
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