What to buy for a chocolate workshop

A chocolate workshop needs more than chocolate and recipes. You’ll need enough workspace, bowls, thermometers, molds, cooling space, and serving items for everyone to work without waiting. Use one workstation for every two to four participants, then match your ingredient quantities to the final registration list. Buy perishable ingredients shortly before the workshop, and arrange chocolate delivery or collection early enough to check everything before the session.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 22
Buffet table
Coat rack

Tableware

Dessert platesqty 24
Coffee cupsqty 24
Water glassesqty 24
Teaspoonsqty 24
Serving boardsqty 6

Kitchen

Mixing bowlsqty 12
Silicone spatulasqty 12
Chef's knifeqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 6
Kitchen scalesqty 6
Baking traysqty 6
Chocolate moldsqty 24
Truffle forksqty 12
Tweezersqty 6
Cooling racksqty 6
Digital thermometersqty 6

Equipment

Induction hobsqty 6
Heat-retaining bowlsqty 6
Coolersqty 2
Coffee maker
Kettle

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Name badgesqty 24
Chocolate decorations
Festive garlandsqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 2
Cleaning spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Dark chocolate - 3 kilograms
- Milk chocolate - 3 kilograms
- White chocolate - 2 kilograms
- Cocoa powder - 500 gram
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Whole milk - 2 liters
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Powdered sugar - 500 grams
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Vanilla extract - 1 bottle
- Glucose syrup - 1 bottle
- Sea salt - 1 container
- Hazelnuts - 500 grams
- Almonds - 500 grams
- Pistachios - 300 grams
- Dried cranberries - 300 grams
- Grated coconut - 250 gram
- Candied orange - 300 grams
- Rice Krispies - 300 grams
- Cookies - 500 grams
- Wafers - 300 grams
- Caramel sauce - 1 bottle
- Raspberry sauce - 1 bottle
- Chocolate coloring - 1 set
- Cocoa nibs - 200 grams
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 2 bags
- Olives - 2 jars
- Hummus - 2 tubs
- Mini cucumbers - 2 tubs
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 6 bottles
- fruit juice - 4 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk for coffee - 4 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 3 packs
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Pastry brushes - 12 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Chocolate boxes - 24 pieces
- Cellophane bags - 24 pieces
- Ribbon - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 2 packs

Tips

Plan one complete workstation for every two to four participants, including a mixing bowl, silicone spatula, measuring tools, cutting board, and access to an induction hob. This prevents participants from queueing for shared equipment.
Allow at least one digital thermometer for every two workstations and one kitchen scale for every two to four participants. Chocolate temperature control is easy to delay when the only thermometer is shared by the whole group.
Prepare cooling space before shopping for decorations or extra ingredients. Have enough trays, cooling racks, or coolers for one batch per workstation so finished chocolate can set while the next batch is prepared.
Buy serving items for the full participant list, plus roughly 10 percent extra. Dessert plates, teaspoons, water glasses, coffee cups, and serving boards are often forgotten when the ingredient order gets most of the attention.
Keep chocolate in a cool, dry place and arrange chilled drinks separately. Check the delivery as soon as it arrives, then store it away from heat until the workstations are ready; do not leave it beside induction hobs or in direct sunlight.

Frequently asked questions

How much chocolate do I need per person for a chocolate workshop?: Use the recipe yield as your starting point, then buy enough chocolate for the registered group plus 10 percent extra for weighing losses, spills, and repeats. For example, 20 participants require enough for 22 portions or batches, depending on the recipe.
How many chocolate workshop stations do I need?: Set up one workstation for every two to four participants. For 16 people, prepare four to eight stations; smaller groups of two work better when the recipe involves tempering, molding, or detailed decoration.
What equipment is easy to forget for a chocolate workshop?: Digital thermometers, kitchen scales, cooling racks, and chocolate molds are commonly missed. Check these at least 3 to 5 days before the workshop, because replacing specialist equipment at the last minute can limit the recipes you can use.
When should I buy chocolate and fresh ingredients?: Arrange chocolate delivery or collection early enough to inspect it at least 1 day before the workshop. Buy fresh ingredients 1 to 2 days beforehand, then store chocolate in a cool place and keep chilled items refrigerated until setup.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.