What to buy for a high tea

A high tea needs more than sandwiches and a pot of tea. You’ll need enough food for several serving rounds, plus cups, cake plates, serving platters and a reliable way to keep hot drinks available. Use your confirmed guest count to scale the quantities, and check dietary requirements before ordering fresh food. Buy shelf-stable items first, then arrange fresh groceries close to the event so scones, fillings and cakes are at their best.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 28
Tableclothsqty 4
Buffet table

Tableware

Teacupsqty 28
Tea saucersqty 28
Cake platesqty 28
Coffee spoonsqty 28
Cake forksqty 28
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Water glassesqty 28

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee maker
Hot drink urnsqty 4
Coolersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen scale
Ice packsqty 6

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 4
Name badgesqty 28
Menusqty 4
Napkin ringsqty 28
Table décorqty 4

Lighting

Table lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Washing-up tubsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Ground coffee - 2 packs
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- White sandwich bread - 4 loaves
- Brown casino bread - 4 loaves
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 24 pieces
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Wheat flour - 2 kilos
- Baking powder - 2 sachets
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Vanilla sugar - 4 sachets
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Clotted cream - 1 kilo
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Lemon curd - 2 jars
- Fresh strawberries - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Blueberries - 1 kilo
- Mini quiches - 48 pieces
- Mini muffins - 48 pieces
- Petit fours - 48 pieces
- Macarons - 48 pieces
- Chocolate truffles - 48 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 1 loaf
- Vegan cream cheese - 2 tubs
- Vegan mini pastries - 12 pieces
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Storage containers - 12 pieces
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning sponges - 1 pack
- Rubber gloves - 2 pairs

Tips

Plan on 4–6 savoury sandwich pieces and 2–3 sweet portions per guest, then add about 10% extra for uneven appetites or last-minute guests.
Allow 2–3 cups of tea or coffee per person over the first two hours. Have at least two kettles or a hot drink urn available if more than 12 people are attending.
For each guest, provide a teacup, saucer, cake plate, fork and teaspoon, plus around 10% spare place settings. Water glasses are easy to overlook, so count one per person as well.
Order fresh bread, sandwich fillings, scones and cream no earlier than 1–2 days ahead. Keep cakes, dairy and other chilled items in coolers with ice packs until the tables are ready.
Check the venue’s power supply before bringing kettles or a coffee maker. Pack extension cords only where they can be secured away from walkways, and place waste bins near the serving area.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a high tea per person?: Allow 4–6 small savoury pieces and 2–3 sweet portions per guest. For a two-hour high tea, this usually covers sandwiches, scones and cakes; add 10% if guests may stay longer or you cannot replenish the table.
How many cups of tea should I plan for a high tea?: Plan for 2–3 cups of tea or coffee per person during the first two hours. Buy or prepare at least 1 litre of hot water for every 4–5 guests, with extra water available for refills.
When should I buy food for a high tea?: Buy non-perishable supplies several days in advance and order fresh groceries 1–2 days before the event. Collect bread, dairy, cream and other chilled items on the day itself when possible.
How much tableware do I need for a high tea?: Prepare one cup, saucer, cake plate, cake fork and coffee spoon per guest, plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each small place setting, along with serving platters, tongs and water glasses.

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