What to bring for a taster lesson day

A taster lesson day needs more than lesson materials and a few chairs. You will be moving participants between trial classes, checking registrations at the reception desk and serving drinks and snacks during breaks. Use this shopping list to prepare the practical items in advance, including tableware, hot-drink equipment, presentation tools and room signs. Confirm participant numbers and dietary requirements before buying perishable food, then chill drinks and set out supplies before the first class starts.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 14
Chairsqty 120
Reception desk
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Laptopsqty 8
Projectorsqty 6
Projection screensqty 6
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Portable speakersqty 4
Microphoneqty 2
Flip chartsqty 6
Whiteboardsqty 6
Chargersqty 10

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Drinking glassesqty 150
Platesqty 130
Knivesqty 130
Forksqty 130
Spoonsqty 130
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Storage binsqty 12

Decorations

Room signsqty 12
Wayfinding signsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 3
Tableclothsqty 14
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Tapeqty 8
Arrow stickersqty 30

Catering

Name badgesqty 130
Wristbandsqty 130
Coffee filtersqty 150
Coffee spoonsqty 12
Sugar bowlsqty 6
Milk jugsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 4
Pitchersqty 8
Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Lemons - 15 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Mini water bottles - 120 pieces
- Mini croissants - 120 pieces
- Mini raisin buns - 80 pieces
- Whole grain buns - 80 pieces
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Mandarins - 100 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Vegan muffins - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 4

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per participant for the first hour, then adjust for the rest of the programme. Buy a small reserve rather than discovering during registration that the first cooler is empty.
Allow one plate, fork and cup or glass per participant, plus about 10% extra. Extra tableware covers late arrivals, dropped items and separate dietary snacks without interrupting a lesson.
Prepare at least one serving platter and serving spoon for each snack station. Keep dietary-specific food on its own labelled platter and use separate utensils to avoid mix-ups.
For every laptop, projector or portable speaker, pack the matching charger and bring at least two extension cords and power strips for each teaching room. Test the equipment before participants arrive, not during the first class.
Set up one reception desk with name badges, printed participant lists and room signs before opening registration. Place waste bins near the drinks and snack area so used cups and plates do not collect on teaching tables.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups and glasses do I need for a taster lesson day?: Start with one cup or glass per participant and add 10% extra. For 40 participants, that means at least 44 cups or glasses, with additional coffee cups if hot drinks are served separately.
How much food should I buy for a taster lesson day?: Allow about 150 to 200 grams of snacks per participant for a half-day programme, including a small reserve. Confirm dietary requirements at least 3 days before the event so suitable alternatives can be bought separately.
What equipment should I bring for trial lessons?: Prepare one laptop, presentation setup and charger for each lesson that uses slides or media. Bring a projector, projection screen, extension cords, power strips and portable speakers where required, and test everything at least 1 day beforehand.
When should drinks and snacks be prepared?: Chill drinks 4 to 6 hours before the start if possible, and prepare snack stations 30 to 45 minutes before registration opens. Keep hot drinks in thermos flasks or prepare them shortly before the first break.

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.