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Catering, Vending and Cooking For The Masses. this forum is OnTopic. A resource to help with catering, vending and just cooking for large parties. Topics to include Getting Started, Ethics, Marketing, Catering resources, Formulas and recipes for cooking for large groups. |
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07-13-2009, 08:47 PM | #16 | |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-16-07
Location: south central,ky.
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Quote:
just plan on living(read-working)your dream 24/7.. the best advice i can give is advertising,advertising,advertising. as far ass chafing dishes go- get electric ones- sterno will eat you up in costs for long gigs or windy days(that includes breezy facilities). you can even modify w/ cheap heat plates.
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Blues_n_Cues BBQ Concessions & Catering |
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07-13-2009, 08:57 PM | #17 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-16-07
Location: south central,ky.
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Also, make sure you have LOTS of change; by this I mean
$1 dollar & $5 dollar bills. Most people will pay you with a $20 dollar bill, you will also get people paying with $100 dollar bills. I also found it was much faster and easier to make all my prices to the whole dollar price....$8 or $4 or whatever, trying to get 15 cents in change for somebody was crazy, and really slowed things down. Sell cans of soda for $1 ....and check on your competition...if they are selling soda for $2, you can too. i make my prices down to $.25 some items $.75 $1.25-$3.50 but i vend too so thats why. my daily bank is $250 $100 in 1's $90-5's $20-10's $40-quarters thats for an 8 hr saturday & i still run out most times. $20 is the most common currency due to atms. just a heads up- for catering it's a whole different game-yer usually paid up front & don't have to worry about making change.
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Blues_n_Cues BBQ Concessions & Catering |
07-13-2009, 09:21 PM | #18 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 07-06-08
Location: Caldwell, Idaho
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As far as catering what about giving the customer a test run? The church I've gone to for the last 4 years put on a Christmas dinner awhile back. The caterer invited The church staff for a "taste test" meal. The Staff said it was great but when we ate I swear it tasted just like a Swanson turkey tv dinner. It was kinda funny because The Catering staff was dressed up in black and white and used really nice serving dishes only to be disappointed by the bottom of the barrel food that was served.
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Gateway drum smoker, OK Joe Longhorn Dual, OC Smokehouse, OK Joe Judge. |
07-13-2009, 10:13 PM | #19 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-16-07
Location: south central,ky.
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i do sample plates for items that aren't selling or something i want to push.
a freebie is fine for advertising but take it for what it is- a freebie-people always want something for nothing. count that cost against advertising on your taxes. i have done a lot of gigs for kiwanas,lions clubs,chamber of commerce,tourist boards, plus i do a lot of benefit & fundraisers- i have my price. your price is your price- have it on paper & have it firm. my luck w/ churches is that they want you to donate & be cheap- they already get a tax break so stick it to the church(imho).TREAT THEM LIKE ANY OTHER CUSTOMER. like i said if it's for advertising- count it against your taxes,if you book a wedding or catering out of the deal- thats separate.if a church ever asks you to cook for the church themselves- picnic,catering, fundraiser.-quote them on labor,serving,& time- make them buy the food w/ a p.o.- they have plenty of money.. hope that helps
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Blues_n_Cues BBQ Concessions & Catering |
07-13-2009, 11:13 PM | #20 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 07-06-08
Location: Caldwell, Idaho
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Speaking of churches my Wife and I used to go to a church that sold taco salad at a local annual festival and would gross about 8-12 grand in about 5 days. All the food booths were ran by charities i.e. churches, lodges etc. Not trying to trash Ministers but that pastor was a whining slave driver when it came to that event. My Wife worked it every year and has a lot of experience with that type of catering. My involvement was to help set up and tear down. The interesting thing is the pastor was the only one allowed to handle the money. That ******* should be in prison.
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Gateway drum smoker, OK Joe Longhorn Dual, OC Smokehouse, OK Joe Judge. |
07-14-2009, 07:18 PM | #21 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 07-06-08
Location: Caldwell, Idaho
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Finally got a hold of the HD today after searching for nearly 2 hours trying to figure out who to get a hold of. Looks like I'd need a commissary even with a fully contained trailer. However if I hit all the local fairs where there are booths already setup I can get a yearly license for $65.00 and they go to all the places where I'd be selling and inspect the place. I need to find out what the place needs to pass muster with the HD.
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Gateway drum smoker, OK Joe Longhorn Dual, OC Smokehouse, OK Joe Judge. |
07-14-2009, 11:40 PM | #22 |
Quintessential Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-15-07
Location: England
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Whatever these guys tell you to charge for your goods DO IT!! Trust me I bid a few jobs a bit low so I could get a start and now I see why the charges are what they are.
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www.drsweetsmoke.com Slappin that bass like some delerious funky preist!!! UDS, Half Pint (Mini UDS), Weber, ProQ 20, Kegrilla *250 gallon cooker- 'The Meat Beast!!'* British BBQ Championships Grand Champion 2008 ~~~~ British BBQ Society - Southern Championship Grand Champions 2009
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07-15-2009, 12:47 AM | #23 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 02-13-07
Location: Best BBQ in south whittier los angeles
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Go for it brother I am probably a little bit ahead of you as far as catering experience goes but I am taking my lumps. I have posted some horror stories can't wait to hear yours. Just know it's a learning experience. Big Mista, CRocke, Marsha and all the other experienced caterers will be glad to offer advice. Best of luck
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07-15-2009, 12:48 AM | #24 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-16-07
Location: south central,ky.
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hey most guys get $6.00 fer just a pp sammie- i do $5.oo for the same w/ pickle wedge, onion slice, a side (real home spiced cut fries & a drink for $5.00 are what they do in this welfare farm town....
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Blues_n_Cues BBQ Concessions & Catering |
07-26-2009, 04:37 PM | #25 |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 04-17-09
Location: Penllyn, Pa.
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Business plan, business plan, business plan...you will be glad you did! And if you plan to borrow money for your venture you will need it. You can find a software program at staples or any office supply that makes it easier. Good luck with your new venture!!
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