What to buy for a closing brunch

A closing brunch needs more than breakfast food: you also need enough tableware, serving pieces, chilled storage and coffee equipment to keep the buffet moving. Plan quantities from your final guest list, then separate fresh produce and refrigerated items from supplies you can buy earlier. Bread, fruit, salads, eggs, yogurt and hot dishes can share the buffet, but allergens need clear separate labels. The checklist below covers the purchases and equipment needed to set up, serve and clear the brunch without last-minute shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 60

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Tablespoonsqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Serving utensilsqty 16

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 4
Serving platters for saladsqty 6
Bread basketsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 3
Coffee thermosesqty 4
Teapotsqty 3
Water jugsqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Hot platesqty 4
Induction hobsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 5
Power stripsqty 4
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Power banksqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Table runnersqty 10
Vasesqty 10
Artificial flowersqty 10
String lightsqty 6
Welcome sign
Chalkboardsqty 6
Table numbersqty 10
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Multigrain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini croissants - 60 pieces
- Mini chocolate buns - 40 pieces
- Bagels - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate spread - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 1.5 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilogram
- Vegetarian slices - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 90 pieces
- Bacon - 2 kilogram
- Vegetarian bacon strips - 1 kilogram
- Sausages - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian sausages - 1.5 kilograms
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Avocados - 20 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Spring onions - 6 bunches
- Fresh chives - 6 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Lemons - 15 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 25 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Blueberries - 2 kilograms
- Melons - 5 pieces
- Plain yogurt - 8 kilogram
- Plant-based yogurt - 3 kilos
- Granola - 3 kilograms
- Honey - 2 jars
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Walnuts - 1 kilogram
- Almonds - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 10 liter
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Tea bags - 150 pieces
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Orange juice - 15 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 18 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Prosecco - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in advance and keep a second supply in coolers.
Allow one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus at least one spare plate for every ten guests. Count coffee cups, water glasses and wine glasses separately because guests may use more than one type.
Buy bread and fresh fruit as close to the brunch as practical—ideally within 24 hours. Wash and cut fruit on the day, and keep refrigerated products chilled until the buffet is ready.
Provide one serving utensil for each dish, including separate utensils for salads, hot dishes, bread and toppings. Put allergen-labelled items and their serving utensils apart from the main buffet.
Prepare coffee and tea for the full guest count, not just the first round. Set out coffee machines, thermoses, teapots, coffee spoons and water jugs before guests arrive so the drinks station does not block the food buffet.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a closing brunch?: For a brunch lasting around two to three hours, plan about 250–350 g of food per person across bread, fruit, salads, eggs, yogurt and hot dishes. Add roughly 10% extra when the guest count is uncertain or the brunch replaces lunch.
How many drinks should I buy for a closing brunch?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one more per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as other drinks, and keep chilled stock in coolers so the buffet supply can be replenished.
When should I buy fresh food for a closing brunch?: Buy fresh produce within 24 hours of the brunch where possible, especially fruit, bread and salad ingredients. Check refrigerated products on the day and keep them chilled until serving.
How much tableware do I need for a brunch buffet?: Start with one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, then add at least 10% spare plates. Provide one coffee cup, water glass and wine glass per guest, with extra cups and glasses if the brunch lasts more than two hours.

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