What to Buy for a High Tea

A high tea needs more than tea and cake: you will also need enough small sandwiches, savoury bites, sweet portions and serving pieces for the full group. Use the guest count to plan food, then check whether you have enough teacups, saucers, plates, forks and serving platters. Buy shelf-stable items first, order fresh food closer to the date, and collect cakes and other chilled ingredients on the day. Dietary requirements should be confirmed before you place the final order.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Serving buffetqty 2
Drink table

Tableware

Teacupsqty 45
Tea saucersqty 45
Pastry platesqty 50
Coffee spoonsqty 50
Table knivesqty 50
Pastry forksqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Teapotsqty 8
Milk jugsqty 6
Sugar bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cake knivesqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coolersqty 3

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Napkinsqty 50
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Name badgesqty 45
Menusqty 6
Welcome sign
Table décorqty 6

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Black tea - 80 bags
- Green tea - 40 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Honey - 500 grams
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 5 kilogram
- White casinobread - 5 loaves
- Brown farmhouse bread - 5 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 3 loaves
- Mini croissants - 50 pieces
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 800 grams
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Arugula - 300 gram
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Chicken salad - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Puff pastry - 2 kilograms
- Mini quiches - 50 pieces
- Diced cheese - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Melon - 2 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Mini muffins - 50 pieces
- Mini scones - 50 pieces
- Clotted cream - 1,5 kilogram
- Strawberry jam - 1 kilogram
- Lemon tart - 2 cakes
- Chocolate cake - 2 cakes
- Macarons - 50 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 500 grams
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan pastries - 10 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan for 3–4 small savoury or sandwich pieces per guest, plus 2–3 sweet portions, so the table does not run short during a two-hour high tea.
Allow 2–3 cups of tea per person and offer water as well. Have at least one teapot available for every 8–10 guests so tea can be refreshed without long waits.
Count tableware against the final guest list: provide one teacup, saucer, cake plate, pastry fork and teaspoon per person, plus 10–15% extra for breakage or replacements.
Order cakes and other fresh items 2–3 days before the high tea, then collect them on the day. Buy tea, sugar, napkins and other non-perishable supplies at least one week ahead.
Check serving equipment before shopping day. You will need platters, serving tongs, cake knives and enough kettles or coffee equipment, with extension cords and power strips if the venue has limited sockets.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a high tea per person?: Plan on 3–4 small sandwiches or savoury bites and 2–3 sweet portions per guest. For 20 guests, that means about 60–80 savoury pieces and 40–60 sweet portions.
How much tea should I buy for a high tea?: Allow 2–3 cups per guest. For 20 people, prepare enough loose tea or tea bags for 40–60 cups, and keep extra hot water available for refills.
How many teacups and plates do I need for a high tea?: Provide one teacup, saucer, cake plate, pastry fork and teaspoon per guest, plus 10–15% spare. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 of each item where possible.
When should I buy food for a high tea?: Buy shelf-stable supplies about one week in advance. Order fresh sandwiches, cakes and other chilled items 2–3 days before the event, and collect them on the day itself.

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