Rib Portion Question and pricing help

[fireman_pete]

Hi All,

Just had a repeat client contact me about catering another event for them.

We have done several events for them in the past, but never one this big, and never one where they requested ribs.

Here are the details.
150 people

Chicken & Ribs
Sides: Mac & Cheese, Grilled Veggies and Mixed Green salad.

For the ribs, they requested baby backs. I am figuring 3 ribs per person, and 1 piece of chicken. We will be serving, so we can control portions.

I was figuring 3 people per rack of ribs, does that sound about right? I know I should be able to get 10-11 good bones per rack, but would rather be safe. If this is overkill, let me know.

For on-site cooking, full service bufet, etc, I am right around $18-$19 per person.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

Pete
_________________
-Pete
Cooks 'N Ladders BBQ Team
www.cooksnladders.com
Pete's Firehouse BBQ
-Award Winning BBQ, Catering & Spice Rubs
www.petesfirehousebbq.com

[Geronimo]

For BB ribs you might want to go 1 more rib each just due to them being smaller ribs to being with.

I would figure 4 each, serve 2-3 to women (unless they want more) and 4 to guys. This would give you some for seconds...if you offer them.

Price wise, you are in the ball park (figuring if the ribs are less than $4 lb).

Does your $18-$19 include tax and gratuity??...hope not
_________________
Where rumors end and legend lives forever...

[BBQMAN]

I usually cater spares, and my prices are lower on the right coast.

That being said, with BB, chicken, and those sides I'd still be in the $17-$18 range.

I'm with Geronimo- figure half rack per person and a piece (with some extra) of chicken per person (I usually do chicken1/4s and 2 spare ribs).

Quite frankly there isn't much meat on BB, and I'd be pissed with a $19.00 dinner that only had 3-4 of them.

If price point is an issue then yes 3-4 ribs and chicken would fit the bill, but not for $19 bucks.

JM2C, YMMV.
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[fireman_pete]

Thanks for the replies guys. The $18-$19 I was looking at was without tax, and we do not charge a mandatory gratuity, so that is not included.

I here you on the portion size of the BB. I would prefer spares, but the client requested BB. I can get them right now for about $3.00/lb, or about $10/rack. When we do cater ribs, it is normally spares, but to be honest, we do not cater that many ribs.

If I figure a half rack per person, that is about 75 racks. That is a bunch, not sure I have room for that many ribs

The client asked for some other menu suggestions too, and I have a feeling the $18-$19 per person is more than they want to spend.

I will let you know how it goes!
_________________
-Pete
Cooks 'N Ladders BBQ Team
www.cooksnladders.com
Pete's Firehouse BBQ
-Award Winning BBQ, Catering & Spice Rubs
www.petesfirehousebbq.com