What to Buy for a High Tea

A high tea needs more than tea and pastries. Plan separate quantities for sandwiches, scones, savoury snacks, fruit and sweets, then check that every guest has the right cup, plate and fork. You will also need serving platters, tiered trays and a dedicated tea station with kettles, teapots, milk and sugar. Buy chilled drinks and perishable fillings close to the event, and set dietary options aside before serving.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tablesqty 2
Clothes racks

Tableware

Teacupsqty 36
Tea saucersqty 36
Platesqty 50
Pastry forksqty 36
Coffee spoonsqty 36
Water glassesqty 36
Teapotsqty 6
Milk jugsqty 6
Sugar bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Bread knivesqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Baking traysqty 4
Tiered traysqty 6
Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee maker

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Name badgesqty 32
Theme labelsqty 12

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Bucketsqty 2
Mop
Broom and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Earl Grey tea - 1 box
- Green tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Coffee beans - 1 kilo
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Coffee cream - 2 tubs
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Honey - 1 jar
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Ginger beer - 2 bottles
- Wheat flour - 2 kilos
- Baking powder - 2 sachets
- Baking soda - 1 packet
- Granulated sugar for baking - 1 kilo
- Powdered sugar - 500 grams
- Butter - 1.5 kilos
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Clotted cream - 1 kilo
- Vanilla extract - 1 bottle
- Vanilla sugar - 2 sachets
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Raisins - 500 grams
- White casinobread - 5 loaves
- Brown casino bread - 5 loaves
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Mini quiches - 40 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 40 pieces
- Mini sausage rolls - 40 pieces
- Mini wraps - 40 pieces
- Petit fours - 36 pieces
- Mini tartelettes - 36 pieces
- Macarons - 36 pieces
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Blueberries - 1 kilo
- Bananas - 12 pieces
- Grape juice - 2 liters
- Gluten-free rolls - 6 pieces
- Vegan cream cheese - 2 tubs
- Vegan pastries - 12 pieces
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Storage containers - 20 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Allow 3–4 small sandwiches, 1 scone and 2–3 sweet or savoury bites per guest. Add 10% extra if the high tea replaces lunch.
Plan 2–3 cups of tea per person for a two-hour high tea. Provide at least 1 teapot for every 6–8 guests, plus enough hot water for refills.
Buy or check one teacup, saucer, plate, pastry fork and coffee spoon per guest, then add 10% spare tableware for breakages and unexpected guests.
Prepare sandwiches and cut fruit on the day, ideally no more than 3–4 hours before serving. Keep fillings and drinks chilled until the buffet is ready.
Label vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly and other dietary options before guests arrive. Keep those portions on separate platters with separate serving tongs.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a high tea per person?: Plan 3–4 small sandwiches, 1 scone and 2–3 additional sweet or savoury items per person. Add about 10% extra, especially when the high tea is served as lunch.
How much tea should I buy for a high tea?: Allow 2–3 cups per guest for a two-hour high tea. Buy at least 1 tea variety for every 6–8 guests, plus extra hot water for refills.
How many teacups and plates do I need for a high tea?: Provide 1 teacup, saucer and plate per guest, with 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item if you want a practical buffer.
When should I buy food for a high tea?: Buy dry goods, tea and tableware up to 1 week ahead. Purchase fresh bread, fruit, cream and other chilled ingredients 1–2 days before, and prepare sandwiches and cut fruit within 3–4 hours of serving.

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