What to buy for a soup competition

A soup competition needs more than soup bowls and tasting spoons. You need a way to keep entries hot, label each station clearly, serve bread and drinks, and give judges the right forms and tools. This shopping list covers the equipment, tableware, signage and cleaning supplies for a well-organised tasting event. Check quantities against your number of competitors, judges and guests before you shop, especially for warm-holding equipment, extension leads and bowls.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 70
Coat rack

Tableware

Soup bowlsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Glassesqty 80
Soup spoonsqty 80
Coffee spoonsqty 50

Kitchen

Serving spoonsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Bread basketsqty 6
Warmholding pansqty 12

Equipment

Induction hobsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Digital thermometersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Soup station signsqty 12
Name badgesqty 80
Race numbersqty 12
Prizesqty 3
Directional signsqty 8

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Waste sorting binsqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Drying racksqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Serving traysqty 6
Ice packsqty 16
Ballot boxesqty 2
Jury formsqty 20
Pensqty 30
Clipboardsqty 6
Groceries
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole wheat loaves - 4 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Grated cheese - 2 kilos
- Croutons - 6 bags
- Fried onions - 4 bags
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Fresh coriander - 4 bunches
- Crème fraîche - 12 tubs
- Sour cream - 8 tubs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 4 grinders
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Cayenne pepper - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Bouillon cubes - 3 boxes
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- White beans - 6 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Celery - 3 stalks
- Leeks - 3 kilos
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Zucchini - 3 kilo
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Mushrooms - 2 kilos
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Lemon tea - 1 box
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 package
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan one soup bowl and one soup spoon per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakage, dropped utensils or second tastings. Keep separate coffee cups, glasses and teaspoons for the drinks table.
Allow one warm-holding pan or suitable heat source for each soup entry. Check the venue’s power supply before buying or borrowing induction hobs, extension cords and power strips.
Buy or prepare clear signs for every soup station, along with competition numbers and name badges. Print these at least one day before the event so missing labels can still be corrected.
Provide one serving ladle per soup, plus shared bread baskets, serving platters and cutting boards. Arrange knives away from the tasting queue and confirm any dietary labels before guests arrive.
Set out waste bins and separate recycling bins before setup begins. Chill drinks several hours in advance, and keep a cooler available if the refrigerator cannot hold all bottles and glasses.

Frequently asked questions

How many bowls and spoons do I need for a soup competition?: Plan one bowl and one soup spoon per tasting guest, then add at least 10% spare. For 40 guests, that means at least 44 bowls and 44 spoons, with extra serving utensils for each station.
How many warm-holding pans are needed for a soup competition?: Use one warm-holding pan or heat source per soup entry. If 12 participants enter, prepare 12 units and check the electrical load at least one week before the event.
What should I buy for judging a soup competition?: Prepare printed jury forms, pens, competition numbers and a clear table for the judges. Print the forms and participant list at least one day ahead, and bring spare copies for every judge.
When should I shop for a soup competition?: Buy non-perishable equipment, tableware and signage at least one week in advance. Buy fresh bread and drinks one to two days before, then chill the drinks for several hours before guests arrive.

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