What to Buy for a High Tea

A high tea needs more than sandwiches, scones and cake. You also need enough cups, saucers, plates and serving pieces, plus equipment to keep tea flowing and fresh food chilled. Start with the confirmed guest number and check dietary requirements before ordering perishable ingredients. This shopping list covers the items that are easy to overlook, from milk jugs and sugar bowls to a coat rack, waste bins and washing-up supplies.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 5
Chairsqty 32
Buffet table
Coat rack

Tableware

Teacupsqty 36
Tea saucersqty 36
Pastry platesqty 36
Pastry forksqty 36
Teaspoonsqty 36
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Butter dishesqty 4
Milk jugsqty 4
Sugar bowlsqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee maker
Coolersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Baking traysqty 3
Serving trays with tiered standqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 5
Flower arrangementsqty 5
Name badgesqty 32
Table décorqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 10
Washing-up basinsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Black tea - 80 bags
- Earl Grey tea - 60 bags
- Green tea - 40 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Ground coffee - 2 packs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Honey - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Brown casino loaf bread - 6 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 800 grams
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 800 gram
- Young cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 800 grams
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Scones - 40 pieces
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Raspberry jam - 2 jars
- Clotted cream - 1.5 kilos
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Mini quiches - 40 pieces
- Mini sausage rolls - 40 pieces
- Mini apple turnovers - 36 pieces
- Petit fours - 36 pieces
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Apples - 2 kilo
- Spa Blauw - 3 crates
- Sparkling water - 2 crates
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces

Tips

Plan on 2–3 tea servings per guest for the first two hours, then add one extra serving per person if the event runs longer. Check that you have enough kettles or hot-water capacity to refill without a long queue.
Allow at least 3 savoury sandwich pieces and 2 sweet portions per guest, then add 10% extra for uneven appetites. Order fresh produce only after the final guest count and dietary requirements are confirmed.
Count tableware by guest, not by table: one teacup, saucer, cake plate, pastry fork and teaspoon per person, plus at least 10% spare. A few extra cups prevent the event from stopping when used items pile up.
Do not forget serving equipment for each food group. Prepare separate serving platters, tongs and bowls for sandwiches, fruit, scones and cake so guests are not waiting while one platter is passed around.
Buy or reserve cleaning supplies before the day itself: allow one waste bin per main service area, at least two washing-up basins if there is no dishwasher, and several clean cloths for spills and hot equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a high tea per person?: Plan for 3–4 savoury sandwich pieces, 1–2 scones and 2 small sweet portions per guest. Add about 10% extra, especially if the high tea replaces lunch.
How many cups and plates do I need for a high tea?: Provide one teacup, saucer, cake plate, pastry fork and teaspoon per guest, plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each item if you do not plan to wash up during the event.
When should I buy food for a high tea?: Buy non-perishable items several days ahead and order fresh produce after the final guest count is known. Wash and cut fruit, prepare sandwich fillings and chill drinks on the day before or the morning of the high tea.
How much tea do I need for a high tea?: Allow 2–3 cups per guest for the first two hours. For 20 guests, prepare capacity for roughly 40–60 servings and keep extra tea, milk and sugar available for refills.

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