Meat Amounts

19 racks and because you are forced to give 2 pieces of chicken per serving, 38 halves would be a base.

If you guess, you will always be the bad guy, when something runs out. When I catered, I always specified in the contract the customer's request, X number of plates of ribs, and X number of plates of chicken quarters.

It takes guessing out of the equation and prevents them from putting the blame on you when something runs out. No one knows the people better than the customer themselves.

Clearly define your obligation and go from there. Then define the meat as 1/2, 1/3, or a 1/4 slab per person. You already know they are requesting 1/4 chicken per plate.

Thus a starting point.

When it comes to ribs I ask the client how many bones per person they would like. I'd suggest the chicken quarter pp and 2-3 bones and let them decide. Once they decide I tell them to let guests know not to take more than that amount per person. Otherwise, you'll see people piling ribs on their plates like they are at a crab leg buffet.

I would price it as a quarter of chicken per person with all those sides. Then have them specify how many racks of ribs they would like at $19/rack. That is a lot of food.

Imagine 4 ounces per side and the 1/4 chicken. With just those items that accounts for over 1.5 pounds of food/person. That is enough for the biggest of eaters unless it is a "grazing" event.

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IamMadMan said:

If you guess, you will always be the bad guy, when something runs out. When I catered, I always specified in the contract the customer's request, X number of plates of ribs, and X number of plates of chicken quarters.

It takes guessing out of the equation and prevents them from putting the blame on you when something runs out. No one knows the people better than the customer themselves.

Clearly define your obligation and go from there. Then define the meat as 1/2, 1/3, or a 1/4 slab per person. You already know they are requesting 1/4 chicken per plate.

Thus a starting point.

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I really like that idea, I wish I'd seen it sooner! Thanks for the advice.

RuBBQCo said:

Thanks HBMTN!

Just to make sure that I am understanding you correctly, for 75 people you would suggest 75 chicken quarters and 150-225 individual ribs (2-3 per person), giving them the option to have a chicken quarter and 2-3 ribs if they chose to?

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We serve buffet style and guests serve themselves and as much as they wish with the exception of ribs. I price the job to the client based on how many bones per person they would like. I would recommend they select 3-3 bones per person. I've had clients choose as many as 5 bones per person. So if I were cooking for an on-site service I'd have 100 leg quarters (to be safe) and 2-3 bones pp. I always err on the side of having too much instead of running out. 25 extra leg quarters costs $20-$25 but running out of food would cost you $$$$ in the long run. Just my 2 cents I use small leg quarters though but if you are using larger quarters you could reduce the amount some.

Chicken & ribs are about as easy as it gets. All pieces per person are easily specified. One quarter per person (don't make them super large quarters), and have them choose 2-3 ribs per plate/person. Easy, simple, done.

If it's a buffet line, that is where you complicate things. Portion everything & it won't be any easier.