I'm new to the catering thing but I'm already seeing people with unrealistic budgets. One guy wants me to feed 300-350 people with an appetizer, pulled pork, chicken and two sides with a budget of $3000. I want the job just because it will get my name out there but it's going to take some finagling to get that to work.
Poorolddan is correct however there may be a way to spin it to work to your advantage. If I were new I'd figure a way to take that gig just to get your name out there. The appetizer is what will kill you on that budget so maybe you can offer to do the event with legs and thighs on the chicken (cheaper cuts) and drop the appetizer. 300 for $3k maybe 350 for $3k no way. But just like Poorolddan said doing too much of that will doom you.
I was thinking more in terms of pushing him away from pulled pork and maybe consider pork loins. I could get enough loins to feed 350 for around $250 and that could clear up the margin enough to include the appetizers. I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for the chicken and it's pretty reasonable as well.
Side will probably be baked beans and cole slaw, which are two of the least expensive sides I have. If he wanted mac & cheese there would be an extra charge. My mac has heavy cream, three cheeses and bacon so I'd have to charge more.
He wouldn't try to bully me, this is a small town and I know where he lives. :wink:
I'm new to the catering thing but I'm already seeing people with unrealistic budgets. One guy wants me to feed 300-350 people with an appetizer, pulled pork, chicken and two sides with a budget of $3000. I want the job just because it will get my name out there but it's going to take some finagling to get that to work.
Will you also be supplying bread for PP sammies, plates and utensils, BBQ sauce? You need to consider you time and your expendables (Rubs, wood, charcoal, foil pans, etc...). Are you serving or is it buffet style? Are you doing enough meat for everyone to get their share of each meat? Are you setting up the tables and tearing down the tables? And so on and so on...
Best of luck to you. I hope he goes with you guys. It's pretty cool to get that first big catering gig (I'm assuming it's the first big gig). It can get stressful so hopefully you will have some help cooking.
Well we did our first "big" catering job yesterday. Pulled pork, baked beans and slaw for 250. Everything went very smoothly with no disasters. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and then between 2:00 and 7:00 yesterday afternoon we received six calls for catering quotes.