What to Buy for a High Tea

A high tea needs more than tea and cake: guests also need savoury sandwiches, fruit, pastries, cups, plates and serving equipment. Plan around 3–4 savoury bites and 2–3 sweet items per person, plus 2–3 cups of tea. This shopping list helps you cover the food, drinks and tableware without discovering missing teaspoons or serving platters on the day. Check dietary requirements before buying ingredients and label suitable options clearly.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Serving buffetqty 2
Coat rack

Tableware

Teacupsqty 36
Tea saucersqty 36
Coffee cupsqty 36
Coffee saucersqty 36
Cake platesqty 40
Pastry forksqty 40
Teaspoonsqty 40
Butter knivesqty 12
Water glassesqty 40
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cake standsqty 6
Tiered traysqty 8
Teapotsqty 8
Milk jugsqty 6
Sugar bowlsqty 6

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving carafesqty 4

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Menu standsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Whole wheat sandwich bread - 4 loaves
- Mini croissants - 36 pieces
- Mini scones - 36 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Plain cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 1.2 kilogram
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 800 grams
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Clotted cream - 1 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 1 liter
- Mini quiches - 36 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 48 pieces
- Mini muffins - 36 pieces
- Mini brownies - 36 pieces
- Macarons - 36 pieces
- Mini cupcakes - 36 pieces
- Lemon tart - 2 cakes
- Apple pie - 2 pies
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Blueberries - 750 grams
- Melon - 2 pieces
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Green tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar cubes - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine - 6 bottles
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
Food containersqty 12
Drink labelsqty 20
Diet labelsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Mop headsqty 2
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2

Tips

Allow 5–6 finger-food portions per guest: roughly 3–4 savoury pieces and 2–3 sweet pieces. Add 10% extra if the high tea lasts more than two hours or replaces lunch.
Buy or prepare at least 2 tea bags or 2 teaspoons of loose tea per guest, plus 10–15% extra. Provide hot water throughout rather than relying on one full teapot at the start.
Plan one water glass and one teacup with saucer per guest, then add 10% spare tableware. Teaspoons, cake plates and pastry forks are easy to overlook and are needed repeatedly.
Keep cakes and pastries separate from savoury food, and buy fruit 1 day beforehand so it can be washed and cut without losing freshness. Prepare sandwich fillings no earlier than the day before.
Set aside separate serving tongs and platters for dietary options, and prepare labels before guests arrive. Chill drinks for at least 3 hours, while dry goods can be bought several days ahead.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a high tea per person?: Plan for 5–6 small portions per person: about 3–4 savoury bites and 2–3 sweet items. Increase this to 7–8 portions if the high tea replaces lunch or runs for more than two hours.
How much tea should I buy for a high tea?: Allow 2–3 cups of tea per guest, with 2 tea bags or 2 teaspoons of loose tea per person as a starting point. Buy 10–15% extra so you can offer a second blend and account for spills.
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 at least 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item where possible.
When should I shop for a high tea?: Buy tea, sugar, napkins and other dry goods 3–5 days in advance. Buy fruit 1 day before, prepare sandwich fillings the day before, and chill drinks for at least 3 hours before serving.

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