Wedding Gig for 130 people
 

Wondering if I could get some advise. I have been asked to put together a quote for a wedding reception. It will be "meat only" for 130 peeps. There wanting me to price brisket and chicken and also price "Petite Steaks" and chicken. They will either go with brisket and chicken only (they provide the sides) or they will go with "Petite Steaks" and chicken (they provide the sides). My question is how much brisket and how much chicken? Looking at other threads in here and I am figuring at least a case of brisket maybe more. As for chicken I am at a loss to know how much to cook. If they go with the "petite steaks" (which i hope they don't) and the chicken I would probably do 75% steak and 25% chicken. For the cost of this I am figuring the cost of the meat, and supplies, and then figure a little extra for my time. This would be our first "real" catering gig. Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

you can do what we do for 3 meats only we charge $12 a plate and you will need about 4 briskets and 60 peaces of chicken if you can sell them on pulled pork you can cut those amounts...

What do you mean "petite steaks"? Sirloin steaks, NY Strip Steaks Do they want one per guest? I would sell them pounds of meat rather than meat for 130. Give them a price per pound or per piece and let them choose how much they want.

I need some more clear details to help here. I have never heard of going with 75% this and 25% that. In my opinion that is a recipe for disaster.

YMMV

For a wedding reception, I'd go with a 6 oz chicken breast and 1/3 lb Brisket PP.
130 people X .33 = 43 lbs cooked = 86 lbs uncooked brisket.

Petite steaks sound like a 6oz strip?

That is a great question. I asked the lady who is wanting me to cook and she did not know. I explained to her that when you get into cooking steaks you always get into how they want them cooked and I really do not want to do that for 130 people. Thats a great idea quoting per pound. Thanks

If they went the brisket/chicken route, would I be wrong to cook brisket for 130 people (at 1/3lb pp= 8-9 10 lb briskets) and cook maybe 70 chicken pieces (Drums and thighs) or would that be a recipe for disaster? I am really trying to stear clear of the steaks because thats not easy to cook for 130 people where brisket and chicken are.

Thank you, this gives me a bal;l park of what I am looking at for brisket. If I cooked chicken also how would you figure that in?

If they are paying for chicken and brisket for 130 then you should honor that and not play the guessing game. I would charge $15.99 per and I better have the food to back up the price. Will you have leftovers? Yes, did they pay for it? yes

Does this farking make sense?:biggrin:

130 portions.

Opposite sides of the country but the same thought process.:cool:

I charge for 130 people eating brisket and chicken, some wont eat chicken, some won't eat brisket, others will eat double...it all works out and your charging PP so if theres leftovers, it's paid for!

We'd probably go between 11 and 13.99 for that meal.

As I have now learned...DO NOT SELL YOURSELF SHORT! Don't look at the overall price and think, "Damn, that sounds like a lot of money!" Look at the per person price and think about what you would pay in a good restaurant.
And as Bro Smoke has well-taught me, always always always cook too much. Way better to end up with two extra briskets than half a brisket too little...

Yes it does and thanks for your help. Much appreciated. As for leftovers they can have them, they paid for them.

Sniff, sniff.... I'm so, so proud of our little Country...

That's what BBS taught me too! Learned the hard way but lesson learned.

Yes it does make sense! It's a standing rule for me to add 10% on to what my initial estimate is... I would rather leave extra than get a bad rap of being cheap and having people walk away hungry.

BBS did well... I often run my prices by my GF... Her first statment normally is "You're almost giving it away" followed by the question of "what would that cost in a restaurant?"

Please don't tell her but, she is more often right than I am....:eek: