What you need for a pizza contest

A pizza contest needs more than dough, toppings and an oven. You will also need one workable cooking station per group, reliable timing and enough serving equipment for judges and guests. Buy ingredients only after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed. Check oven capacity, extension cords and handwashing before the event, because these are easy to overlook and difficult to fix once participants arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30

Kitchen

Mixing bowlsqty 16
Measuring cupsqty 8
Dough scrapersqty 8
Rolling pinsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 12
Paring knivesqty 12
Pizza cuttersqty 10
Pizza peelsqty 8
Oven mittsqty 8
Kitchen scalesqty 8
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Storage binsqty 24
Cutting board labelsqty 12
Markersqty 12
Adhesive labelsqty 200
Judge clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 20

Equipment

Pizza ovensqty 4
Oven thermometersqty 4
Kitchen timersqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Handwashing station

Catering

Buffet traysqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Groceries
- Wheat flour - 8 kilos
- Fresh yeast - 200 grams
- Granulated sugar - 500 grams
- Fine salt - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Tomato passata - 8 liters
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Mozzarella - 6 kilos
- Grated pizza cheese - 4 kilos
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Pepperoni - 2 kg
- Salami - 1.5 kilos
- Boiled ham - 1.5 kilos
- Bacon cubes - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast fillet - 1,5 kilo
- Mushrooms - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Red onion - 1.5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Zucchini - 1,5 kilo
- Eggplants - 1 kilo
- Spinach - 1 kilo
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Pineapple chunks - 4 cans
- Black olives - 4 jars
- Green olives - 2 jars
- Capers - 2 jars
- Jalapeño peppers - 2 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Fresh basil - 12 bunches
- Fresh oregano - 6 bunches
- Chili flakes - 100 grams
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 200 grams
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Pesto - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Honey - 1 jar
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper pizza plates - 100 pieces
- Pizza boxes - 60 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Decorations

Competition postersqty 8
Table numbersqty 10
Name badgesqty 60
Prizesqty 3

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpansqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tips

Prepare dough portions in advance and allow at least one portion per participant, plus 10% extra for mistakes or damaged dough. Store them chilled until the cooking stations are ready.
Plan one complete set of basic tools for every cooking station: a mixing bowl, measuring cup, dough scraper, rolling pin, cutting board, knife, pizza peel, oven mitts and kitchen timer.
Check the ovens and power supply at least one day before the contest. Test every oven, use oven thermometers, and confirm that extension cords and power strips can handle the equipment safely.
Set aside separate utensils and storage bins for dietary requirements before sorting the ingredients. This reduces the risk of mixing ingredients and makes special requests easier to manage.
For drinks, calculate two to three servings per person for the first hour, then add one serving per person for each additional hour. Chill them before opening the venue and keep extras in coolers.

Frequently asked questions

How much pizza dough do I need for a pizza contest?: Plan one dough portion per participant and add 10% extra for failed attempts or damaged portions. For 20 participants, prepare at least 22 portions.
How many pizza ovens do I need for a pizza contest?: Use one oven for each cooking station where possible. If several participants share an oven, allow roughly 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time per pizza and extend the contest schedule accordingly.
What equipment does each pizza cooking station need?: Each station should have a bowl, measuring cup, dough scraper, rolling pin, cutting board, knife, pizza peel, oven mitts and a timer. Prepare the stations at least 30 minutes before participants arrive.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a pizza contest?: Provide one dinner plate per participant and judge, plus about 10% extra. For drinks, plan two to three glasses per person for the first hour and keep additional glasses available for the rest of the event.

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