What to buy for an olive oil tasting

For an olive oil tasting, the oils are only part of the shopping. You also need enough sample glasses, water, plain bread, serving dishes and forms for every guest, plus coffee and chilled drinks if they are part of the plan. Buy the bread and fresh snacks shortly before the tasting, and check that every station has the right equipment before guests arrive. This list helps you avoid the items people usually remember only during setup.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tableqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 160
Water glassesqty 45
Coffee cupsqty 40
Dinner platesqty 45
Bread platesqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 45
Small bowlsqty 16
Serving tongsqty 8
Water carafesqty 8
Bottles of olive oilqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Bread knivesqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 3
Scissorsqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving traysqty 8
Herb grindersqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 40
Menusqty 8
Table signsqty 12
Pensqty 45
Test formsqty 45

Lighting

Table lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Extra virgin olive oil, mild - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin olive oil, fruity - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin olive oil, spicy - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin olive oil intense - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin organic olive oil - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin olive oil from Spain - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin olive oil from Italy - 2 bottles
- Extra virgin olive oil from Greece - 2 bottles
- White baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholegrain baguettes - 6 pieces
- Ciabatta - 6 pieces
- Water crackers - 8 packs
- Unsalted toast - 6 packs
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Fresh basil - 8 bunches
- Fresh rosemary - 4 bunches
- Fresh thyme - 4 bunches
- Sea salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Fleur de sel - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 4 bottles
- Honey - 2 jars
- Green olives - 3 kilograms
- Black olives - 3 kilogram
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Parmesan cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Unsalted nut mix - 2 kilograms
- Still mineral water - 40 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 20 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Honey for tea - 2 jars
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan one sample glass per oil for each guest if glasses will not be washed between rounds. For six oils and 12 guests, that means 72 sample glasses, or fewer if you can wash and reuse them.
Allow at least 500 ml of still water per guest, plus extra water for rinsing glasses and filling carafes. Put a water glass and a carafe at every tasting station rather than relying on one shared bottle.
Buy about 100–150 g of plain bread per guest for palate clearing and tasting snacks. Slice it just before serving, and keep additional bread plates and small bowls ready for herbs or other accompaniments.
Label every olive oil before guests arrive, including the tasting order. Prepare one sample form and one pen per guest, then place the forms at the stations before opening the room.
Check practical equipment the day before: coolers for chilled drinks, kettles or a coffee machine, extension cords and power strips. Keep at least one waste bin near the tasting area and another by the food table.

Frequently asked questions

How much olive oil do I need for an olive oil tasting?: Allow about 15–20 ml of each oil per guest for tasting. For 12 guests tasting six oils, buy at least 1.08–1.44 litres in total, then add one spare bottle or extra oil for refills and presentation.
How many glasses do I need for an olive oil tasting?: Use one sample glass per oil per guest when glasses stay on the table. For 10 guests and five oils, prepare 50 sample glasses; if you wash between rounds, 10–15 glasses can be enough, provided the washing process is quick.
How much bread should I buy for an olive oil tasting?: Buy 100–150 g of plain bread per guest, so 1.2–1.8 kg for 12 people. Purchase it on the day of the tasting or the evening before, and keep a small reserve for late arrivals and second servings.
What should I prepare the day before an olive oil tasting?: Order or collect the oils, confirm the guest count, label the bottles, print the tasting forms and check the glassware and power equipment one day ahead. Buy fresh bread and chill drinks no earlier than the day before so they remain fresh and ready to serve.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.