What you need for a cookie competition

A cookie competition needs more than cookies and a judging table. Plan supplies for registration, clear labelling, tasting portions, jury scoring, drinks and prize-giving before shopping. This list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from ballot slips and name badges to serving trays, cutting boards and power supplies. Check quantities against your participant list and the number of competition categories, then confirm what the venue already provides.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Tableclothqty 8

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 50
Glassesqty 60
Small platesqty 60
Dessert forksqty 60
Teaspoonsqty 30
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Measuring spoonsqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Ballot slipsqty 60
Pen setqty 3

Decorations

Race numbersqty 40
Name badgesqty 50
Table décorqty 8
Prizesqty 3
Certificatesqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Wheat flour - 5 kg
- Cake flour - 2 kg
- Granulated sugar - 3 kg
- Brown sugar - 2 kg
- Powdered sugar - 1 kg
- Unsalted butter - 4 kg
- Margarine - 1 kg
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Vanilla extract - 2 bottles
- Vanilla sugar - 10 sachets
- Baking powder - 10 sachets
- Baking soda - 2 packs
- Cocoa powder - 500 gram
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Cookie and speculaas spices - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Dark chocolate chips - 1.5 kg
- Milk chocolate - 1 kg
- White chocolate - 500 gram
- Raisins - 1 kg
- Dried cranberries - 500 grams
- Desiccated coconut - 500 grams
- Sliced almonds - 500 grams
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Hazelnuts - 500 grams
- Oats - 1 kg
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Honey - 1 jar
- Icing - 6 tubes
- Edible decorations - 6 packs
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Cardboard cake boxes - 50 pieces
- Paper napkins - 150 pieces
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar sticks - 100 pieces
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces

Tips

Prepare one labelled cookie entry area for each competition category, plus spare labels and pens. A few extra labels prevent confusion when a participant arrives with a late change.
Allow at least one small plate, dessert fork and tasting portion per jury member for each round. Add spare plates and forks so a dropped or used item does not interrupt judging.
Plan the coffee and tea station with enough cups, glasses, teaspoons and serving space for the full guest list. Check whether you need one coffee machine or kettle per service point before the event day.
Buy or pack ballot slips, a complete pen set and printed judging criteria before shopping for decorations. Keep extra pens at every jury table; missing pens can delay an entire tasting round.
Check the venue’s sockets before bringing coffee machines, kettles and coolers. Take extension cords and power strips only where permitted, and keep drinks and cables separated from the competition tables.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a cookie competition?: Plan for serving trays, small plates, dessert forks, teaspoons, cutting boards, a chef’s knife, serving tongs and mixing bowls. You will also need labels, ballot slips, pens, name badges, prizes, certificates, drinks equipment and cleaning supplies.
How many plates and forks do I need for cookie judging?: Allow one small plate and one dessert fork per jury member for each tasting round, then add at least 10% spare items. If six jurors taste three categories, prepare at least 20 plates and forks rather than only 18.
What should I buy for the coffee and tea station?: Provide coffee cups, glasses, teaspoons, a coffee machine, kettle and groceries for the expected guest count. Keep a second kettle or coffee machine available when more than 30 people will be served at the same time.
What do I need to label cookies at a competition?: Prepare one label for every registered entry, plus at least 10% extra labels for changes or replacements. Keep race numbers, name badges, pens and the printed jury criteria together at the reception table before registration opens.

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