What to Buy for a High Tea

A high tea needs more than tea, scones and sandwiches. Plan food and drinks per guest, then check whether you have enough cups, saucers, cake plates, serving platters and teaspoons for everyone at once. Dietary requirements should be confirmed before you order ingredients, especially for sandwiches and pastries. This checklist also covers practical items that are easy to overlook, such as milk jugs, sugar bowls, cooling space and extension cords.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Table runnersqty 6

Tableware

Teacupsqty 36
Tea saucersqty 36
Cake platesqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 24
Water glassesqty 36
Forksqty 40
Teaspoonsqty 40
Cake tongsqty 3
Teapotsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving standsqty 6
Milk jugsqty 6
Sugar bowlsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Baking traysqty 4
Oven mittsqty 2

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 6
Table décorqty 6
Name card holdersqty 36
Welcome sign

Catering

Serving tongsqty 6
Drink dispensersqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 8
Groceries
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Green tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Decaffeinated tea - 1 box
- Ground coffee - 2 packs
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Lemonade - 4 liters
- White sandwich bread - 4 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Wraps - 3 packs
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 750 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Fresh chives - 3 bunches
- Fresh dill - 2 bunches
- Mini quiches - 50 pieces
- Mini sausages in puff pastry - 50 pieces
- Scones - 50 pieces
- Self-raising flour - 2 kilos
- Baking powder - 2 sachets
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Clotted cream - 1.5 kilos
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Raspberry jam - 2 jars
- Mini pastries - 50 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Macarons - 50 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Blueberries - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Gluten-free mini pastries - 8 pieces
- Vegan Cream Cheese - 500 gram
- Vegan scones - 8 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6

Tips

Plan 4–6 savoury sandwich pieces, 1–2 scones and 2–3 small pastries per guest. Add a little extra if the high tea replaces lunch.
Allow 3–4 cups of tea per guest over a two-hour high tea. Buy or prepare at least two tea options, and keep hot water available throughout the serving period.
Count one teacup, saucer, teaspoon, cake plate, fork and water glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item.
Use one serving platter for roughly 6–8 guests and one serving tier for every 6–10 guests. You will need enough space to separate sandwiches, scones and sweet pastries.
Reserve serving pieces and equipment at least 7 days ahead. Check kettles, coffee machines, coolers and extension cords before shopping day rather than discovering a missing item during setup.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a high tea per person?: Plan 4–6 savoury sandwich pieces, 1–2 scones and 2–3 small pastries per person. If the high tea is serving as lunch, use the higher end of each range and add around 10% extra.
How much tea should I buy for a high tea?: Allow 3–4 cups per guest for a two-hour high tea. As a guide, one 20-teabag box serves about 10–12 guests, depending on how strong the tea is and whether guests drink more than one variety.
How many cups and plates do I need for a high tea?: Provide one teacup, saucer, cake plate, fork, teaspoon and water glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 of each item.
When should I order high tea ingredients and supplies?: Confirm guest numbers and dietary requirements 7–10 days before the event, then place the main grocery order. Check rented or borrowed tableware and equipment at least 7 days ahead, and collect chilled items as close to the event as practical.

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