Daily Halacha - Is There an Obligation to Have Two Loaves of Bread?

Is there an obligation to have two loaves of bread?

For all Shabbat meals, one should break bread over two complete loaves in each meal, even if one has more than three meals. When eating cookies on Shabbat, one does not need to have lechem mishneh [Responsa Ach Tov V'Chesed Chapter 11].

Must one taste from the lechem mishneh of the one who recites the blessing?

Ideally, those present should eat the first kezayit (olive-sized portion) specifically from the lechem mishneh over which the head of the household recited the blessing [Mishnah Berurah 167, 83]. If there isn't enough, or if someone eats different bread due to illness or other reasons, they should taste a little from the lechem mishneh and complete the rest with another bread [Shevet HaKehati 2, 115].

Ach Tov V'Chesed - Daily Halacha