Tasting Question

[Bbq Bubba]

:):) :)

Originally Posted by lazybonesmoke1

you could also smoke some frozen steak-ums and let them try that.

[HBMTN]

I will chime in and support Ford's thoughts. I biaoytch and moan prior to every tasting. I may spend $50+ on average for a tasting and that goes with a paired wine I may already have. When I do tastings, I treat them like a competition; I go to win. Do not sweat the nickels and dimes when there is dollars to be made.
This is my philosphy on tastings. I may do 8-10 tastings a year and I will score 90% of them. This translates to about $5000-$8000 profit; please do the math. i.e. $500 a year in tastings - $8000 in wedding profits $7500 (after food and staffing has been paid).

I am fairly new to the catering world, opening this spring full blown legal and everything. I was wondering when you say spend $50 on a tasting, are you serving something that you cooked for another event? Seems to me if not then if I had someone wanting a tasting of brisket for a cooking I may spend 14 hours cooking a brisket for them to taste. Just wondering what you do in a case like that? Even a small flat would require 4-7 hours of time.

[big brother smoke]

Originally Posted by HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team

I am fairly new to the catering world, opening this spring full blown legal and everything. I was wondering when you say spend $50 on a tasting, are you serving something that you cooked for another event? Seems to me if not then if I had someone wanting a tasting of brisket for a cooking I may spend 14 hours cooking a brisket for them to taste. Just wondering what you do in a case like that? Even a small flat would require 4-7 hours of time.

I just cook what ever they want. I am thinking about getting the gig.
Just like a competition, brother. Go to win!

[HBMTN]

If that is the case then I must be way under on my idea of pricing. I wish I had a better way to get an idea of pricing.

[Bbq Bubba]

Tastings are freebies. Part of trying to get the job!
Ask your questions here!

Originally Posted by HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team

If that is the case then I must be way under on my idea of pricing. I wish I had a better way to get an idea of pricing.

[HBMTN]

Tastings are freebies. Part of trying to get the job!

I know that, what I am saying is that for a price range of $12-$16 pp for catering 50 -75 people there is not a lot of profit in there to spend an additional 12-14 hours cooking BBQ for a tasting to try and get the job.

Now if you are talking 300 people for a wedding at $20-$25 pp I can see your point in cooking them a tasting session to get the job.

[Learnin Querve]

It overhead, part of the cost of doing business. But it's also one of the things that a pro does that sets themselves apart from the amateurs and wannabees.

BBS mentioned the wine, can you use the tasting to perhaps offer samples of additional/upgrade sides or desserts?

Who knows who else they may refer you to?

Chris

[Bbq Bubba]

Originally Posted by HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team

I know that, what I am saying is that for a price range of $12-$16 pp for catering 50 -75 people there is not a lot of profit in there to spend an additional 12-14 hours cooking BBQ for a tasting to try and get the job.

Now if you are talking 300 people for a wedding at $20-$25 pp I can see your point in cooking them a tasting session to get the job.

Exactly. You don't do tastings for small gatherings, unless their big dollar jobs.

[chopshop]

go to the deli and have them slice you up some roast beef. just heat and serve. haha

[smokinit]

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

Exactly. You don't do tastings for small gatherings, unless their big dollar jobs.

Very true this is actually my first one most have just taken the recommendations of what other people have told them or they have just tried my normal menu items at the vending site.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team

I know that, what I am saying is that for a price range of $12-$16 pp for catering 50 -75 people there is not a lot of profit in there to spend an additional 12-14 hours cooking BBQ for a tasting to try and get the job.

Maybe not, if you are only looking at the job at hand.

But, if you land the job, then you are now giving 50-75 potential customers a tasting at someone else's expense.

[big brother smoke]

Originally Posted by timzcardz

Maybe not, if you are only looking at the job at hand.

But, if you land the job, then you are now giving 50-75 potential customers a tasting at someone else's expense.

True dat! I do tastings for weddings of 75 as well. And, if a 14 hour cook is required, I do that too. Get a UDS, WSM, Pellet pooper (cannot believe I said that ) for those small long cooks.

All the aforementioned comes with doing weddings. Catering weddings ain't for everyone, but it can pay well, if you get a positive reputation developed.


YMMV

[TOPS BBQ]

Originally Posted by HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team

I know that, what I am saying is that for a price range of $12-$16 pp for catering 50 -75 people there is not a lot of profit in there to spend an additional 12-14 hours cooking BBQ for a tasting to try and get the job.

Now if you are talking 300 people for a wedding at $20-$25 pp I can see your point in cooking them a tasting session to get the job.

Your pricing bewilders me. Perhaps you just threw some numbers together, but price per person typically goes down when the number of people goes up for the same job. I would say $20-$25 pp for a 50-75 job and $15-$20 for 300 pp job. It will take you the same amount of time to cook five briskets as it would to cook 20. So the price per person (for your time alone) is decreased. Other variables are included, but that's how I factor pricing a job.

[HBMTN]

You guys are the pro's so if you say do tastings then I will do tastings. But if I am going to spend $75 and prep/cook 14 hours for a couple to have a tasting then I am going to spend another $100-$200 or so and invite 50-100 more potential clients to have a taste also.

[Bbq Bubba]

Some of us do tastings, like i said, usually for larger parties. If someone wants a tasting for 40 people for pulled pork, their looking for a free meal.
Most of my jobs come word of mouth (the customers know my food is excellent) or we've been recommended so tastings aren't needed.
Keep some PP and brisket in the freezer and if someone requires a sample, your set.